New YE Layout

**rogercbryan** · 12-15-2009 09:22 AM

I'd like to compliment the new design... but...

I think you all did what a lot people do. You tried to change to much at once and you've overwhelmed the user. I've made this mistake in the past with some of my sites.

There is so much going on now that it is frustrating to explore the site and all the new features. we all know when a user gets frustrated they don't tend to work harder for what they need... they tend to zone out and look for it someplace else.

If this were my site I would actually take a few features off and then slowly introduce them one at a time with a 1-2 week testing period to allow people to adapt to them. This is the best way to get 'real value' from the new features. Any other way and you are adding things that people will look at once and then forget that they are there.

Do you have a tutorial section that talks about each new feature and how to use it? Does it give YE's a benefits analysis showing how the new feature will help them?

Again, I am impressed by all the new gadgets and widgets but I've already given up trying to navigate this site as there is way to much going on.

**stand856** · 12-15-2009 11:40 AM

I would have to agree with Roger, also is it me or the page that had summary of the last posts is also missing?

**BizGuy** · 12-15-2009 11:57 AM

Roger,

Glad you like the new design!
You brought up some very valid points in your email and I'd like to address them.

1) Comment: "I think you all did what a lot people do. You tried to change to much at once and you've overwhelmed the user. I've made this mistake in the past with some of my sites."

Answer: Over the past 10 years of being online with YoungEntrepreneur.com we have taken notes and listened to the site visitors and members requests. There has been literally hundreds of things that site visitors have emailed in saying that would be a great feature on the YE site. Prior to re-launching the YE site we thoroughly looked over the lists and chose a small handful of the most requested and commented items that our site visitors had asked for. So essentially, we have taken a small amount of the requests and brought them to life here on the new site and a couple of the major requests were 'more experts' and also 'more hands on assistance for growing my business'. This is why you see the 'ask an experts' section and the upcoming "Business Coaching Webinar Section"

2) Comment: "There is so much going on now that it is frustrating to explore the site and all the new features. we all know when a user gets frustrated they don't tend to work harder for what they need... they tend to zone out and look for it someplace else."

Answer: I understand exactly what you are mentioning here as many of us got used to the structure of the previous site which was primarily just the forum. A lot of members took quite a while to adjust to that previous forum look as well. Its a fact, many of us don't like change but when we dig around and realize the benefits of the 'new' features, we see that they are there for a purpose. The nice thing about this new site is that we have given members the choice of utilizing the new tools & features on the homepage or for those of you who want the simplicity of just the forum like the last site, you can simply go directly to the YE forum here! This way you can still utilize all the features of the previous site but in a cleaner looking forum.

3)Comment: "If this were my site I would actually take a few features off and then slowly introduce them one at a time with a 1-2 week testing period to allow people to adapt to them. This is the best way to get 'real value' from the new features. Any other way and you are adding things that people will look at once and then forget that they are there."

Answer: During the 'testing' phase we had several people testing the new features and in order to get them to where they are today took a lot of hours tweaking, testing and organizing to ensure our 'site testers' were happy and satisfied with the structure. We are super happy with the response thus far and have received hundreds of emails from members and new site visitors that they absolutely love the new features and the design which has made us extremely happy with the result. In fact, we have over 350 people who have already signed up for the first business coaching webinar which is scheduled for the beginning of 2010 and hundreds of emails to the Expert team asking questions. So the new features are definitely being put to use and seem to be working out quite well.
Yes, we will definitely be continually updating and tweaking various aspects of the new site and always welcome member feedback. Its always appreciated when members take the time to offer their advice, feedback and even a virtual pat on the back once in a while! YoungEntrepreneur.com is built for YOU our members which is why we are always striving to ensure a great user experience.

4) Comment: "Do you have a tutorial section that talks about each new feature and how to use it? Does it give YE's a benefits analysis showing how the new feature will help them?"

Answer: Yes, I'm glad you asked that question because it is an important one. We have both a written tour along with a video tour of the site where you get to hear the soothing sound of my voice

You can view the YE site features tour Video here: Forum Tour – Young Entrepreneur – Small Business & Entrepreneur Community and we are working on finalizing a new forum tour video tutorial which many new members have asked for as well (this should be completed by early next week!).

5) Comment: "Again, I am impressed by all the new gadgets and widgets but I've already given up trying to navigate this site as there is way to much going on."

Answer: Roger, thank you again for taking the time to put your thoughts down and let us know. I hope that I was able to answer your questions and as always, please do keep in touch and share your thoughts as we continue to improve the YE experience!

Continued Success,

Adam Toren

**BizGuy** · 12-15-2009 12:03 PM

Hi there GentleTip!

Thanks for your post.
Yes, you can access all the 'new posts' by clicking here:

http://www.youngentrepreneur.com/for....php?do=getnew

This is what i believe you are looking for. Its on the menu bar of the forum page where its called "new posts". Hope that helps!

Cheers,

Adam