Web Design → Discussion•
Directory or search engine?


jazarMar 22, 4:32pm
Hi,

I have recently launched getbiz.co.uk [getbiz.co.uk] as a business directory. However, most of the people who have reviewed the site for me tell me that it looks like a search engine??

The directory has got 1000s of categories, and thought that a universal search on the top would be more user friendly. But didn't want it to look like a search engine!

I got feedbacks from people who are not web designers themselves - would be interested in hearing what web designers think of the site.

Been coding too much, and lost objectivity really. Any pointer about why visitors may not see the site as an actual directory?

Sponsor
ThlayliMar 26, 10:16am
Well, two of the first/largest words are "Search" and "Find." That might throw people off. Showing some of those categories on the front page might help too.

As an aside, I'm thrown off by the red Home/About/FAQ area. The rest of the site is purple, so why the red? Is that the first thing you want people to see?

Sponsor
frocketMar 26, 12:39pm
It definitely doesn't look like a search engine, so I wouldn't worry about that so much. The 'steps' below the search field draw enough attention to make people think twice about it being simply a business search engine.

I understand the distinction between a Product/Service search, and a direct Business search. Listing popular categories may help. Perhaps a Browse feature for within the categories?

I don't mind the red so much, (though it is a little intense), because there are a few other red elements. Although for the sake of continuity I might make the Supplier Login on the top right red also. Or something.

The thing that stands out to me is the guy doing an elbow stand in front of a laptop. It's a cool image, but it makes very little sense to me. It is an image that represents difficulty to me. Like the difficulty of finding exactly the things you're trying to make it easier to find. Just a thought.

Other than that, it looks nice. =)


Directory or search engine?

You need to Sign-up for StumbleUpon to post to this forum