Math Celebrity Review

[mathceleb]

If anybody has time, please review my website and offer thoughts on how I can improve or market this to students, teachers, and others.

The site is Math Celebrity - Building Sizzling Hot Math Skills. One suggestion I received in the introduction thread is to remove the home page animation. I've had a few testers with the 120 math lessons and have worked out most of the kinks with the answer, math and the search engine.

I've had a few students and teachers look at it, but I'd like another look from business minded folks to see what other items work, don't work, as well as any other feedback.

My original thought was to treat this like a calculating google, and get thousands of students and teachers as well as other folks that wish to learn math to come to the site and let them use all the calculators for free. Then, I was planning on getting advertisers as a next step. Finally, down the road, I was thinking of charging 10 dollars a month for full access. I reasoned that this rate beat any hourly tutorial rate out there, as well as being available 24 hours a day, unlike a tutor. Also, the line by line homework and answer is generated in less than a second, so my thinking was the time saving benefit would be an attraction as well.

[ASJ]

Like I had mentioned in your intro forum, I like your concept. It is good to see that you've started the testing phases of your project, as those are extremely important to do continually.

My comments are more for the design, usability and marketing aspects of your project.

When people visit websites, they generally expect to see a level of professionalism and organization. Unfortunately, I don't get that from your current website at this time. As it stands, the site is a bit confusing to navigate, not giving a great deal of direction as to what I should do.

My suggestion would be to find an experienced web designer and work with them to make the design of the site more intuitive and consistent. They can help you design a website that will be targeted for which ever audience you're going for (teachers or students). You should also consider having a logo designed to help the branding and identity of your website.

The idea that you have for marketing the website for free to start is a pretty good start. Rather than to just "give it away" I would put a Beta title on it so people know that it is still in an introductory state. I would also make sure that you have some sort of registration system so people have to sign up (even if it is for free). If you do decide to pursue advertising, be very careful. I've conducted focus groups before on websites targeted at students and 80+% of the parents said that they'd rather pay a small monthly fee than have their children deal with advertising.

I hope this information helps you in your project.

[mathceleb]

When people visit websites, they generally expect to see a level of professionalism and organization. Unfortunately, I don't get that from your current website at this time. As it stands, the site is a bit confusing to navigate, not giving a great deal of direction as to what I should do.

My suggestion would be to find an experienced web designer and work with them to make the design of the site more intuitive and consistent. They can help you design a website that will be targeted for which ever audience you're going for (teachers or students). You should also consider having a logo designed to help the branding and identity of your website.

The idea that you have for marketing the website for free to start is a pretty good start. Rather than to just "give it away" I would put a Beta title on it so people know that it is still in an introductory state. I would also make sure that you have some sort of registration system so people have to sign up (even if it is for free). If you do decide to pursue advertising, be very careful. I've conducted focus groups before on websites targeted at students and 80+% of the parents said that they'd rather pay a small monthly fee than have their children deal with advertising.

I hope this information helps you in your project.

ASJ,

Thanks for your input! I've since brought on a designer who has nudged me the last few months to change the design. I focused for 6 months on the engine and neglected the design. I'll finish building the polynomial lesson and then start immediately on a facelift.

That is fascinating that you mention parents would rather pay a small fee than deal with advertisers. I will definitely keep that in mind.

As I said in the intro forum, my long term goal would be to charge $10.00 a month for full access, which beats any tutor's rate as well as availability. Kids would not have to leave the house and could get what they need quickly and easily for answers and/or homework.

I'll start a new thread when the new design is up and running. Thanks again!