Design Focus Groups
WeAll.com will be the 5th over haul of the site (albeit the first including a re-brand), each time we start the process we set out to do it better / smoother then the previous. This time round we have decided to gain member feedback from the very early stages of flat screen shots (screen shots are basically site mock ups that a designer creates to show how the site may look), previously we have waited until we had a working beta site (a beta site is a functioning site that developers are still working on, kinda like a first draft). So far we have introduced the screen shots to about 40 members, this has given us the ability to gather feedback from a very early stage and help with high level site design.These focus groups have been managed online using ANYwebcam.com chat rooms, and have included members from all over the globe. We have been overwhelmed with the enthusiasm and involvement we have received from members. During these 2 hour focus groups we discuss the site re-branding to WeAll.com, our goals for the community and finally a page by page look at the design concepts. High level design discussions can be difficult as it is often comes down to personal taste and preference, however between the comments of “i like it” and “not sure” we managed to receive some very valuable feedback and ideas that we may not have thought of (it happens, not often but it happens… ha). So now with the feedback nicely organized we are putting together some modified screen shots that we look forward to releasing to everyone shortly.
Apart from the overall success in gaining feedback, it was an exercise showing the strength and power of a passionate user base, here we were having detailed and structured conversations with groups of people located in all corners of the world, with everyone in different timezones (yes AussieG and I even woke up at 4am to host a discussion with some european members) and we pulled it off… and had a good time doing it.
Thanks again to all those involved, WeAll appreciate it.
April 2nd, 2008 at 1:27 pm
As i am unemployed at the moment i would love to be considered as a candidate for employment. I have a good overall outlook on life and i feel i would excell in this field of community. Yours sincerley Rebel.
July 3rd, 2008 at 9:45 pm
Hey rebelarouser, if your located in Melbourne AUSTRALIA and a Java Developer we would love to hear from you as we have just announced an opening in the team. Unfortunately this is the only position we have going at the moment.