ZoomConcept Reviews
New Idea Use the Name
I agree with the other reviewer, this is a simple and efficient design and I think you did a great job with the search results for hotels (the boxes are concise, easy to understand, and display what the user is looking for). But I think what needs work the most is the copy and overall 'vibe' of the site. The domain is a great name! Work with it, craft an experience that is relaxed and sophisticated. Change out the image, redo the copy, and assume the user wants to understand what Paris has to offer, not just book a room. This is a great site to create an experience, not just offer an e-commerce utility (let's be honest, this can be done on a number of more popular sites). What will make this site a success is getting inventive and visual with the websites name. I would go to this site often if I felt I could use it to dream up a Paris weekend and fantasize about a city known for its elegance and romance!Summary:
-
-
Geert-Jan Brits commented:
Now I'm thinking about it: 'Topics' (see main-menu) might actually be called 'Vibes' or 'Experiences' hmmm, something to think about
-
Summary:
Hello,
- Gradient in boxes does't look that good (grey is to dark)
- Search button text color is different than other buttons
- Footer needs overall improvement, spacing, typography, headers does't match the rest of the design, also gray for me is to dark
- Drop shadow on the box in sidebar looks bad, maybe decrease it
Best Marcin
-
Geert-Jan Brits commented:
Yeah, I noticed the weird rendering of the screenshots concerning the gradients and drop shadow.. In real those are indeed more subtle. I agree on the footer, it needs work. What doesn't match with the search-button text color? It's white text on a yellow background (like in the main menu) only with a slight dropshadow for emphasis. Thanks.
-
Marcin Michalak commented:Hello,
In sign me up and check buttons You have black text, and in seach and nav You have white text. Maybe You should try to standarize this and make all buttons the same. Maybe normal state is white and on hover change to black.
Best Marcin
-
Geert-Jan Brits commented:
Ahh ok. Design-wise I would probably agree. UX-wise I don't. Making all text on buttons white, would mean I have to make the yellow background on the secondary call-to-actions more saturated than the washout-out yellow it is now. (otherwise the white would not be clear). Doing that however gives too much emphasis to all call-to-actions, which would feel too much in-your-face imo. Thanks.
Summary:
Hi Geert, you did good with the design, congrats. From my point of view it is perfect and what i like the most about it is that despite the amount of information presented i can easily find what i want. Please let us now witch one of the home pages converted better after you do the tests because i'm very curious, my money is on screenshot 1.
-
Geert-Jan Brits commented:
Thanks! I will surely do an A/B test on the landing page. My money is on screenshot 1 as well. It drags you in more, before trying to sell it (the search in this case)
-
Summary:
I like the design its clear, well detailed and nice color combination...
Thanks for the review! When you talk about copy, you're talking about the homepage I guess? (because search / hotel-detail need to be effective/efficient, without needless spicing up copy-wise imho).
I agree 100% with you that this site shouldn't appear as a shallow affiliate/ecommerce utility and it's exactly that, that I need to sell to the visitor. To me great articles, what-to-do, can bring the needed 'depth' (and hopefully stickyness) but I still need the 'vibe' as you describe.
However vibe is different for anyone. You describe you're interested in Paris because of it's romance and elegance. That's exactly the reason the site will have 'Topic' pages, like 'Romance in Paris', 'Weekend with Kids', 'Paris for foodies', which bring together things-to-do, where-to-stay, where-to-eat, etc. along with copy to bind it all together. These pages have a well-defined audience, and (imo) are thus excellent to create a particular vibe catering for that audience. (I haven't shown a Topic-page in the concept btw.)
The homepage for me is a problem, because I want to cater for anyone (that wants to go for a weekendtrip) . Site-wide I went for a professional yet casual and inviting vibe. Did that work? Given that, do you feel the picture isn't suitable?
Perhaps going from there (catering for the different needs) I could have 2 or 3 teasers on the homepage for important topics (Romance definitely being one of them) all 'vibed-up' for that particular audience. That could invite people to dream about why they want to go, what their mood/vibe is.
BTW: based on gathered advice I changed the top part of the homepage. Please see: http://www.parisforaweekend.com/img/home-new.jpg. (No room for an extra screenshot in conceptfeedback) . Do you feel this at least better manages to tell the user what he can do with the site?
Concerning the copy: I got some ideas from your post :) "Dreaming about going to Paris?" "Ready to experience Paris", etc. come to mind.. I'll let that marinate a bit. Thanks!