UKNM: Boo.com literally asked for it . . .

[Alex Dunne]

There's been a lot of Boo-bashing in the last few days, but it should be

pointed out they asked for it. Literally. Boo.com sent me an email

invitation to check out their new site. It specifically asked me to let them

know what I thought. So I did. My comments to Boo are below, along with

their reply, which arrived a mere 10 minutes later. 


Let's hope their listening with ears and not autoresponders.


Cheers,


Alex


-----Original Message-----

From:	Alex Dunne 

Sent:	04 November 1999 15:14

To:

'boocrew1uk [dot] boo [dot] com

'

Subject:	Yer nu site . . .


BooCrew, 


Thanks for the email invite to check out your new web-store

http://www.boo.com. I've 'walked around it' and you've definitely pushed the

limits of website design and behaviour in a number of ways. In general, I

would offer this advice: the web has an implicit set of design and behaviour

standards. Your site ignores a lot of them. I've never seen a site that does

some of the things yours does. Quite frankly, I probably won't see one like

it again, because it's essentially unusable. Specific comments are below:


1. My first exposure to the Boo brand and site is full of 'health warnings'

about the performance of it. 

	1a. Your introductory email implies it will be slow because "there

is likely to be a lot of traffic". 

	1b. I get a browser window that does nothing other than telling me

it "does nothing".

	1c. The "does nothing" window advises me the site only works with

56k modems or faster. 

	1d. Another message indicates the site only works with PC's.

	1f.  This message further indicates that MAC users may experience

problems, but that you are working to fix them. Why did you ever launch the

site if it's buggy? 

	1e. Another message indicates I must alter the color settings of my

display from 8-bit to 16bit. Anyone with a java/flash enabled PC with 4.0

browsers or higher is probably not running in 8-bit color. 

	1f. The actual performance of the site is slow because my browser

has to download all your applets and graphics over my T1.


2. The content sections on the left of the home page (Accessories,

Activities, etc) are a clever way to drive the user through the product

inventory.

	2a. I should not be able to search for mens' bra tops if you do not

sell them. 

	2b. If mens' bra tops (or some other product) are out of stock, then

tell me so, instead of giving a 'no results' messages


3. The shopping assistant in a separate screen is a clever idea. 

	3a. Her suggestive language implies I am a misogynist FHM reader

("Turn me on", "I'll shut up", "Push my button", etc)

	3b. If all she does is blink her eyes, then remove the feature. 

	3c. I don't want to go clothes shopping with Lara Croft.

	3d. How do you think her looks and language appeal to the customers

buying womens' bra tops?


4. Success on the web requires an innovative business model. 

	4a. You've attempted this with the 'free shipping, free returns'

policy. 

	4b. Why would I pay 43pounds for a DKNY bra top that I could buy

cheaper at Lillywhites at Piccadilly Circus? 

	4c. 225pounds for a pair of Hansen overalls? You've got to be

joking. 


I was only able to use the site for about 10 minutes before I got frustrated

by how long it took to respond to my mouse clicks. Anyone accessing it via a

metered phone call to an ISP (pretty much all of Europe) will probably give

you less time to strut your stuff. 


Welcome to the web, and good luck with your new site. If you'd like a more

exhaustive audit of your service offering, visual design, usability,

transaction integrity, etc, feel free to contact me. 


Alex


-----Original Message-----

From:

boocrew1uk [dot] boo [dot] com

 [

boocrew1uk [dot] boo [dot] com (mailto:boocrew1uk [dot] boo [dot] com)

] 

Sent: 04 November 1999 15:18

To:

adunnesapient [dot] com

Subject: Reply : Yer nu site . . .



Hi Alex, and thanks for your email. This is Anna Gallon here at boo.com.


Thank you for taking time to check out our website, and provide valueable

feedback.


Our website has been designed with the new browser and Internet connection

technology in mind, using the most innovative techniques around today, which

is why it may be experienced as slow on some Internet connections.


As for Miss Boo, she is the site's comic relief, so to say. She is there to

guide the

user that is not so accustomed to the web, and to provide amusement for the

user who has seen and heard everything. She also helps to describe different

products, and provides fashion advice.

If you aren't happy with her, it's easy to shut her down. Just mouse over

the

white text in her window, and tell her to go away.


I have forwarded your feedback to the relevant departments, so that they can

have a look at your thoughts and opinions.


Thanks for contacting the boocrew,


Anna Gallon

boocrew




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