We're a group of designers from the Ohio State University dedicated to helping Four Paws K-9 Pest Detection services work towards their goals in web services/presence as well as more traditional business goals.
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Wednesday, December 5, 2012
Tuesday, December 4, 2012
Wednesday, November 28, 2012
User Analysis Results
Negative Input
Positive Input
Negative Input
- The most consistent comment made by the testers of our site was one that said we needed to enlarge our content as most were having a difficult experience trying to read content.
- This was due in most part to having to open the prototype in flash if I am not mistaken
- That aside I think we should take that input into account and enlarge the text in our content boxes if possible
- Several users suggested that the static social media buttons were wasting space and that we should include them on the about us page instead
- I think a long static picture should occupy that space nicely
- Testimonials could be another possibility for that space
- The most important issue arose when the users were asked to find the price of a detection which we have under the about us tab at the moment.
- Many users suggested that we place it under the services tab, I think that is the best choice as well
- The social media links could be on the about us page to supplement the now empty space
- A couple of users felt that the varment guard banner at the bottom of the about us page should be larger as well. (What do you think?)
- A couple of people thought our bed bug info page content was lackluster
- They suggested that we should put information about the life span of a bed bug, highlighting the amount of time they can survive without a blood supply
- Three users suggested that we place the certification information under the about us tab
Positive Input
- Nearly every participant in the study stated that they felt that our site prototype felt legitimate and professional, with one user suggesting a complete revamp (I consider him to be an outlier though)
- Choice of font was well received
- Color scheme was well received (again, that same outlier was the lone objector)
- Users were able to find information on services using the service tag (service tag success)
- The majority of participants said they wouldn’t change anything (besides the overall size)
- It’s a good sign that the only consistent, major complaint was a technical error and not one that dealt with the design of our site.
Wednesday, November 14, 2012
Wednesday, October 24, 2012
Chase Field Trip Response
The trip to the Chase branch offered our class a unique opportunity to see the environment in which interaction design happens in a traditional business setting. Usability testing was one of the key aspect of how the team at Chase develops their applications with the user experience in mind.The application of usability testing in the development of internal applications for Chase relates directly with the user research we did for building our wireframes and website concept.The presentation illustrated the amount of time that it takes to develop an interactive application as well with the discussion of creating My Health for the company.
We were also able to learn about working within an international company with offices and users spread across the world from Europe to Asia and the difficulty that entails. The practice only using English throughout the company, despite region or country, was a surprising solution to the problem of translating and communicating across language barriers. The issue of a language barrier is one that has direct bearing on our class project as reaching out to people who might not speak English as a first language might be another avenue for Four Paws to explore.
We were also able to learn about working within an international company with offices and users spread across the world from Europe to Asia and the difficulty that entails. The practice only using English throughout the company, despite region or country, was a surprising solution to the problem of translating and communicating across language barriers. The issue of a language barrier is one that has direct bearing on our class project as reaching out to people who might not speak English as a first language might be another avenue for Four Paws to explore.
Identity Strategy
Business
Name:
Four Paws K9
Detection, LLC. The only issue with this name is that it doesn't point to the
fact that they are a bed bug detection service. Because of this, changing the
name is important. We decided to go with Four Paws Bed Bug Detection, LLC
because that more explicitly states what they’re all about.
Web site
tagline:
The current tagline is strong and effective, so sticking with it would
not be a bad idea, but if they do want to change it we feel it would be to
their advantage to play up their discreteness (discrete methods, however you
say it, you know what I mean).
- Tagline:
The Premiere K-9 Bed Bug Detection Service
- Possible Option:
Leaders in Discrete Bed Bug Detection
Logo:
We're going to update the name as well as imply that their company deals with bed bug detection by adding a bedbug to the graphic.
URL/domain
name:
It’s
incredibly important that the URL is consistent with the company name, as well
as easy to remember. Their current URL is way too long.
- Possible Options:
Email:
It would be smart to make the email theirname@4pawsbedbugdection.com
but that’s not necessary. A Gmail account or their current yahoo account will
work just fine, even if it doesn't look as professional.
Facebook:
None, but if they decide to keep it just update the company name.
Twitter:
None, or "4paws", "FourPaws" (whichever is available)
YouTube:
YouTube would probably be the most beneficial to them because they can post videos detailing the inspection process. A good YouTube name would obviously be consistent with the company name, so something along the lines of 4 Paws Bed Bug Detection or even 4 Paws Bed Bug Specialists.
Wednesday, October 10, 2012
Social Media Strategy
Social media has emerged in the last decade or so to be an important part of everyday life for the majority of our population individually and in recent years the business world has taken notice of the trend. In most cases businesses take to social media sites in order to gain customers, increase profits, and ultimately build an image for itself. Social media represents a tangible marketing opportunity for businesses moving forward into the future, but the types of businesses that can actually benefit from using the social media marketplace are limited.
Four Paws has a somewhat limited space to work with in which they can be effective when utilizing social media in business terms.Their goal in using social media should be attracting potential customers more than anything other. Posting information about their company’s purpose, how they conduct their services, pricing information and links to positive reviews (from sources like Angie’s List) should be their primary methods in utilizing social media to meet their business goals.
Four Paws has an opportunity to differentiate themselves from their competition by efficiently using social media resources rather than creating multiple superficial pages/profiles that have little to offer. Facebook is an example of a site that at first seems like a must due to the amount of users but, a personal website is not one that is necessary for their business model to succeed due to their target audience. In analyzing their competitors we found that the majority of social media outlets they employed were superficial and ultimately ineffective. Focusing on more professional networks like LinkedIn would be a better use of resources In terms of functionality, YouTube has the most to offer in terms of getting Four Paws’ desired message across clearly in video form while also offering a concrete opportunity to build the company’s image.
Four Paws has a somewhat limited space to work with in which they can be effective when utilizing social media in business terms.Their goal in using social media should be attracting potential customers more than anything other. Posting information about their company’s purpose, how they conduct their services, pricing information and links to positive reviews (from sources like Angie’s List) should be their primary methods in utilizing social media to meet their business goals.
Four Paws has an opportunity to differentiate themselves from their competition by efficiently using social media resources rather than creating multiple superficial pages/profiles that have little to offer. Facebook is an example of a site that at first seems like a must due to the amount of users but, a personal website is not one that is necessary for their business model to succeed due to their target audience. In analyzing their competitors we found that the majority of social media outlets they employed were superficial and ultimately ineffective. Focusing on more professional networks like LinkedIn would be a better use of resources In terms of functionality, YouTube has the most to offer in terms of getting Four Paws’ desired message across clearly in video form while also offering a concrete opportunity to build the company’s image.
Wednesday, October 3, 2012
Monday, September 24, 2012
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
Research Plan
To optimize the Four Paws Detection Service Website, we have to
do research on the target audience.
Objective:
Gathering information about the needs and behaviors, prior knowledgge about bedbugs,
how and where our target audience searches for help etc. might help us
to improve the layout of the website, reach a larger audience and
eventually get more clients.
Primary Audience:
- Parents
- Seniors
- Landlors
- hospitality industry
- Companies
To reach our Audience and gather representative Information we plan to
survey fifty participants and do five interviews.
The results will be used to create three to four personas.
Possibly we'll find new audience for the Four Paws Detection Service
and can target our audience more precise to create better personas.
Survey:
Our Survey should gather information about:
The Pamphlet
-what do people think about it and
-which information the would expect)
The website
-What do people think about it
-how easy it is to navigate
-what are the things people look for
MobileApp/Website
-Would people search for an App on their Appstore?
-Do people then they need an App
Bedbugs
What do people know about Bedbugs
Where do they get / want to get their informaiton from
do research on the target audience.
Objective:
Gathering information about the needs and behaviors, prior knowledgge about bedbugs,
how and where our target audience searches for help etc. might help us
to improve the layout of the website, reach a larger audience and
eventually get more clients.
Primary Audience:
- Parents
- Seniors
- Landlors
- hospitality industry
- Companies
To reach our Audience and gather representative Information we plan to
survey fifty participants and do five interviews.
The results will be used to create three to four personas.
Possibly we'll find new audience for the Four Paws Detection Service
and can target our audience more precise to create better personas.
Survey:
Our Survey should gather information about:
The Pamphlet
-what do people think about it and
-which information the would expect)
The website
-What do people think about it
-how easy it is to navigate
-what are the things people look for
MobileApp/Website
-Would people search for an App on their Appstore?
-Do people then they need an App
Bedbugs
What do people know about Bedbugs
Where do they get / want to get their informaiton from
Web & Mobile Charter
Web & Mobile Charter
About the web site
Key goals set out by the owners of Four Paws for their website:
- Increased search engine viability - use of key words will be important
- A more relevant presence on social media websites (i.e. Facebook, Twitter, etc.)
- More focus on customer testimonials - bolster the image of the company
- A larger volume of information about bed bugs on the web site
Additional elements of the website that will be focused on as well as additional goals came up during an affinity diagram during class which included:
- Visual elements - we will be building a website with aesthetics in mind during the design process
- Information about the company - we will be including background information on why the owners got into the business, pictures and bio about Marley, along with certifications
- Pricing and discount information - any and all pertinent financial figures ranging from discounts to payment plans and flat rates for services will be present
- A focus on usability and ease of understanding - we will have a focus on making the website both easy to navigate as well as efficient to read and use
- Detail regarding the process of detection and services provided - an overview of what Marley actually does once she is in a customers home, what to expect in her behavior, how she was trained, and steps to take after the detection service has been rendered will be included
- Detailed information on bed bugs - our goal is to include as much information on bed bugs to the point that the user will not have to open another browser tab to learn about the pests.
Audience - anyone that is suspicious that they might have a bedbug infestation, anyone with an infestation, or anyone that is curious about bed bugs or the process of K-9 bed bug detecting. They will more often than not be prospective customers.
About Mobile
Goals for Mobile
The goal for our mobile product will be essentially a slimmed down version of the full website, though the goals are mostly the same as the full site. To achieve this effect we will focus on the following goals:
- Usability - fast and easy access to the majority of the information provided on the full site
- Contact Information - will be a main focus of the mobile version of the website as most likely the users will be potential customers
- Testimonials - will be also prevalent as to lend additional credibility to Four Paws and the image they would like to create
- Process - a brief section will be included that will layout the process for someone who may not be familiar with K-9 bug detection
Audience - they would most likely be prospective customers using smartphone and/or a tablet device. Additional users would include people generally curious about bed bugs or K-9 bug detection.
Monday, September 10, 2012
Research
In our attempt to help Four Paws K-9 Detection reach their goals we could use your help in answering the questions in the survey below. Thanks!
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dFJ2eHdpR2ZXRkt3V2dCWTF1XzVvYWc6MQ
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