KEEP YOUR EYES AND EARS OPEN

[OKWAKEBDR]

We're nearing the November 1st "release"...haven't heard any rumors?

[NautiqueJeff]

I'm guessing website.

[NAWTEAK]

they need a new website sooo badly, hopefully no flash....

[Hollywood]

So how long after Nov. 1 will the boat builder actually work??? :mrgreen:

[Erik]

Is anyone interested in seeing what I wrote to them as reccomendations for their 2007 Web site?

[NautiqueJeff]

Sure. I actually sent them some recommendations too. I wonder how many of our recommendations are the same.

[Erik]

Here it is.

I have had some issues with the way you use your Correct Craft Web properties, and Web site but to be honest, all of the major boat manufacturers create "brochure-ware" instead of dynamic, frequently updated Web sites too. The only other company that was really hammering you on this was Supra, but Supra recently dropped all of their strong Web marketing, hired an expensive ad agency, and have suffered greatly in my opinion. Their print material with the boxed, clipart "lifestyle" screams expensive ad agency to me, and I would suggest you avoid this sort of thing. Flip through a recent issue of Wakeboarding Magazine and find the Emily Copeland or Trevor Hanson double page ads, and you'll see what I am referring to. Their Web marketing also uses those boxed design elements and curiously outdated clipart photos of skydivers and neon-clad snowboarders and it is absolute garbage.

So while I do not think you do a particularly good job of using the Web as a sales, support and information medium, you are also not getting much competition. If I had to choose, I would say Malibu probably does the best job on the Web right now. It is almost as if they read my Web site and the free advice I gave out not too long ago. They show high-resolution images of the boats, no-frills boat data, and less over designed filler.

Users want images, and we want them at a very high-resolution, and not blurred and otherwise nuanced. In the past year I sold a boat and an 3 cars. I found that providing hi-res images increased my interested leads and answered most of people's questions, if visually, right off the bat. I am perplexed at the following phenomenon: If I need to see a detailed image, a hi-resolution shot of of something that I am considering buying, I need to perform image searches on eBay because the chances of finding hi-res images (for purposes of this conversation, at, near, or over 1000 pixels wide) on your Web site are nearly zero. Users want detailed images and breakdowns of drive train and running gear details for our potential boat. We want upholstery samples, shown in detail. Although we can't "feel" a high-resolution image, we can get an idea of texture from a close up image.

We want Specification Data Sheets, and Owners' Manuals and most importantly, PRICING. Stop making us call a dealer or troll for this information on message boards where of course someone got their boat for 2% below cost and wants to brag. Just be up-front.

We already have a tendency to misinterpret even the easiest methods of navigating a site. Introducing a new way to navigate not only confuses non-savvy Web users, but confuses us, the good ones. We're good at the internet!

Name site sections appropriately. My favorite example of this is "On the Rope" on your Web site. Wha? On the who? Huh? **not clicking**. I would link to it directly, but since Correct Craft's site is all Flash and thus appears as 1 url, I can't. That is terrible, and unfortunate for your users.

Slow down or completely stop your Flash development work. If you can not do this, absolutely do not use flash as your navigation, or as your overall site structure/enclosure. Do not depend on it for anything but things like the boat configurator, or for elemental parts of the design (ie, to replace thumbnail images of products or just eye candy). Flash is appropriate for Eye candy but Flash was never a good choice as an overall site achitecture, and it DEFINITELY isn't in 2006.

Last, stop using the term: "Coming Soon". If it isnt ready, don't bother, becasue we don't care and can't get upset about something we know nothing about to begin with. Forward-looking statements annoy us and despite common belief, does not motivate us to bookmark a site and set a reminder in Microsoft Outlook to go back and look for the new feature. The only purpose the Coming Soon statement serves is for quelling internal complaints at a given company. Outside of the organization they are meaningless. Focus on what we came to your Web site for, and what should be easy for you to provide anyway: Information on and images of...the boats!

[Hlymons]

well said Eric,
I hope they listen.

[NAWTEAK]

Slow down or completely stop your Flash development work. If you can not do this, absolutely do not use flash as your navigation, or as your overall site structure/enclosure. Do not depend on it for anything but things like the boat configurator, or for elemental parts of the design (ie, to replace thumbnail images of products or just eye candy). Flash is appropriate for Eye candy but Flash was never a good choice as an overall site achitecture, and it DEFINITELY isn't in 2006.

perfectly said erik. i mean why use flash when it can all be done with tags and scripts??. also, why have some crappy animation in between every link. the proof that it was created by novices is that they have an enter page!!

[nautique95]

So how long after Nov. 1 will the boat builder actually work???

They told me that it will be updated in mid-November.

[Sinkoumn]

Nice write up Erik, I fully agree.

[skinautique]

You don't want to see the new brochure. Not very good in my opinion!

[jasper]

All are very excellent suggestions Erik. Focus on product pictures and information. Easy navigation. Ditch the fancy flash.

jasper

[tdc_worm]

Re: KEEP YOUR EYES AND EARS OPEN

Rumor has it that there will be some huge news released Friday the 13th and November 1st. No details but heard it would be huge!

? i have no patience.

[redelf75]

RE: Re: KEEP YOUR EYES AND EARS OPEN

Well thought out suggestions. Agree the site should not be a reproduction of the brochure - remember when that's all it was...

How about some wake shots or an interactive showing the wake with different amounts of ballast?