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  #1 (permalink)  
Old 06-23-2009, 11:42 AM
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Default CRM Web Design Review

I need a web design review for CRM and PDM contact management contact management software contact management system if anyone wants to try out the program you can get a 30 day free trial and see what you think.

But I need everyone to be as hard as they can on the design.

I'll give green to anyone that gives me a review.

And if anyone signs up please be as hard as you can on the CRM as well.

Thanks,

Janeth
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Old 06-23-2009, 07:25 PM
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Default Re: CRM Web Design Review

This works in all versions and OS’s of the browser.
should be
OSs of the browser. No apostrophe!!!!!
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  #3 (permalink)  
Old 06-24-2009, 10:27 AM
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Default Re: CRM Web Design Review

In most cases, CRM stands for Customer Relationship Management. Luckily, this site has managed to take another three words, and made their use equally meaningless.

Here's what I found when I started reading...

Quote:
How to see what you’ve already scheduled for the day and in the case of scheduling for another employee, how to see what they have scheduled. So when we started working on our call backs, we decided that Lizzy should actually allow us to...
So I was instantly confused by the introduction of Lizzy with no explanation.

The name and blog format work to confuse the reader. While you do manage to explain the name, the blog format buries this so more recent posts have zero context. And although I can understand the basic idea, the premise of giving an app a human name to software is a flawed premise. Microsoft Bob? Hello?

It wouldn't be so bad, were there real contact with human users. The name could be a launching point to explain a radical departure in the way software is designed. Otherwise it invariably reads like either a cheap marketing gimmick or the unfortunate anthropomorphism resulting from a team falling head over heals in love with their product.

Either bodes ill to even a moderately astute potential customer.

Two "stickies" that need to appeal at the top -- ALWAYS -- are "What makes Lizzy better than other CRM Systems" and the "What’s in a name" posts. Otherwise site visitors are left just as confused as straying from the commonly held convention CRM stand for Customer Relationship Management. And have screen shots and image callouts accompany the blog post text, an important reason why follows.

Calling a human relationship a Contact Resource speaks volumes, just as "...force people to clock in on the time clock before they get started" as a option does. Projects are data streams, not collaboration. Telegraphs the overarching philosophy nicely: Like PHP Nuke for Project Management would be less wordy.

Having a software system force users to do anything is a failure of the whole "lets foster a human relationship with the user" thing. Which is probably why the fallback to the name gimmick.

Obviously the vid isn't viewable due to the format. Funny, I can view YouTube just fine. No matter, my guess is a simple mental backflip "everyone in corporate has Quicktime installed" will deal with my point nicely. Part and parcel of anthropomorphizing computers and reducing users to a data clump. ...An inconvenient data clump.

As it stands, arriving on the blog as a starting point leaves the reader feeling like they've arrived in the middle of a conversation ....with the company talking to itself about itself. As unwelcome an intruder as the apps' users seem to be.

Last edited by Dcrux; 06-24-2009 at 10:44 AM.
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Old 06-24-2009, 12:16 PM
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Default Re: CRM Web Design Review

Quote:
Originally Posted by davebarnes View Post
This works in all versions and OS’s of the browser.
should be
OSs of the browser. No apostrophe!!!!!
Thanks, I'll get that fixed.
  #5 (permalink)  
Old 06-25-2009, 08:16 AM
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Default Re: CRM Web Design Review

Every thing looks fine save one thing. If you can hyperlink your logo with the homepage that will be great from search engine optimization point of view. Of course this has nothing to do with the design of that website.
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Old 06-26-2009, 01:13 AM
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Default Re: CRM Web Design Review

For what it is worth, I have seen a few things that you may want to consider:

1. Shouldn't the !doctype be at the very top of the code?
2. Next to free trial / demo / get started, above the categories, it looks like something is missing.
3. Although the right hand navigation is useful, it looks closely like a standard WordPress layout. I think you could have done more with it.
4. You have it set to display the default 10 articles per page. Once you scroll down past the calendar, the page looks lopsided. Even the footerbar is left justified.
5. Directory indexing is still possible.
6. After clicking the login, I received the following error - Secure Connection Failed tasks.nizex.com uses an invalid security certificate.
7. Under your interview link, I accidentally clicked on video window when the introduction started. This interrupted the video, with no way to restart it, even clicking the introduction link would not restart the video. I also noticed that there are no controls for the videos for introduction and talk payroll. Also the introduction and talk payroll videos do not overlap the side navigation while the other two do.
8. I did not see a physical address on the contact page.
9. You have plentiful information on what lizzy does, but I couldn't find any on the implementation of it. In one part of one of the videos it discussed monitoring phone calls. Does this have to hook into our phone system? What are the basic requirements?
10. You have a canonicalization issue.
11. Besides the url, what's the difference between the free trial, use demo and get started link as they all take you to the same page, which incidentally is the same as the contact sales and contact support page?
12. Your #top does not work on all pages.

Hope that helps.

Last edited by amxfan; 06-26-2009 at 02:32 AM.
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Old 06-26-2009, 03:32 PM
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Default Re: CRM Web Design Review

Thanks, we still have a bit more to go but got most of your concerns corrected.

Last edited by cybercrypt13; 06-26-2009 at 03:39 PM.
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Old 06-26-2009, 03:58 PM
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Default Re: CRM Web Design Review

The top header for Rates and Interview got messed up. if you have not caught it.
  #9 (permalink)  
Old 06-26-2009, 04:21 PM
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Default Re: CRM Web Design Review

Quote:
Originally Posted by amxfan View Post
The top header for Rates and Interview got messed up. if you have not caught it.
What browser are you using? I'm testing in mozilla and safari and both display properly. Could you refresh and see if it fixes it?

Thanks,
  #10 (permalink)  
Old 06-26-2009, 08:37 PM
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Default Re: CRM Web Design Review

This was take on a system running FireFox 3.0.11 that had never visited your site before.
It is only seen on the Interview and Rates pages.

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Old 06-26-2009, 10:11 PM
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Default Re: CRM Web Design Review

just checked on a few systems and all looks good
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Old 06-27-2009, 12:33 PM
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Default Re: CRM Web Design Review

Thanks again. It was a browser cache issue on my end, after restarted everything I finally saw the problem and got it straightened out.

Thanks,
  #13 (permalink)  
Old 06-28-2009, 11:02 AM
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Default Re: CRM Web Design Review

Quote:
Originally Posted by Dcrux View Post
In most cases, CRM stands for Customer Relationship Management. Luckily, this site has managed to take another three words, and made their use equally meaningless.
So I was instantly confused by the introduction of Lizzy with no explanation.
I agree.
I came back to visit the site again after thinking about it for some time.
I have now decided that I hate it.
I hate it because I have to really spend a long time reading and digging to figure out what Nizex does and how it can help me.
CRM and PDM? What the hell? Confusing industry jargon.
The colors and design are fine. It is the content and the layout of the words that I hate.
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  #14 (permalink)  
Old 06-28-2009, 12:47 PM
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Default Re: CRM Web Design Review

Quote:
It is the content and the layout of the words that I hate.
This can be corrected, as stated, by making two or three key pieces of content permanent at the top of the column so posts make sense. There are other problems, but they also can be worked out.

If I, as a user, Think CRM is one thing, and your site tells me different ...that's a little cognitive speed bump. If you tell me the app's name was to foster a human relationship, and the app's structure seems to act like a jackbooted thug "forcing" the user ...that's another cognitive speed bump. Put videos in another section when they should be embedded in the blog posts ...that's another bump.

Enough of those speed bumps and site visitors leave.

However, there is a school of thought which says such critique is unwelcome because some "thing" called design and content are separate.

I feel, and it is a debatable point, design is holistic and concerns everything -- from whether a blog is the proper format for a visiting user to start from; to the words chosen and what they telegraph about the app.

You can't as a designer, separate everything from everything else, the whole is "The Design," not just the components you did yourself.

This is not a mainstream view. But my larger point (which goes beyond just this site) is separation of style from content, content divorced from strategy, and structure apart from everything is a problem. Design either creates a coherent whole, or it becomes a very nice looking jumble of ideas and incoherent strategically.

Sure there is an aesthetic 'style," but that is insufficient for design. How things are put in some posts directly conflict with what (seems to be) in the app. There doesn't seem to be a singular objective, and the reader is forced on a scavenger hunt to find the information they need to make a decision. (The design term here is "information scent.")

It makes no difference if every other designer -- who is never going to be a potential customer -- thinks the more superficial elements are just fine. They are fine. But users don't care about the superficial. If those doing these sites insist on having nothing to do with objectives, strategy or copy, don't call yourselves designers. Call yourself stylists if all you do all day is skin Joomla or Wordpress.

But then this is the same mindset which took the three perfectly good words Content and Management and System, then made their combination meaningless. Try anthropomorphizing the user for a change ...and the software will foster a more humanized connection with the user automatically.

Related Reading:

A List Apart -- for people who make web sites -- Calling All Designers: Learn to Write! Text is interface. Deny the connection copy has to "the design" and you relegate design to the very most inconsequential trivialities. You're not responsible for anything, but nor can you charge very much for anything you "contribute."

Creating Twitter Backgrounds in Aviary and the post Understanding Layers combines multiple media and coherent structure for users. Pictures, video and text actually go together and support each other. It's not all about an irrelevant stock photo.

Last edited by Dcrux; 06-28-2009 at 01:13 PM.
  #15 (permalink)  
Old 06-28-2009, 08:50 PM
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Default Re: CRM Web Design Review

Well, the first problem is that you're being sent to the blog portion of the site instead of to the main webpage which is what you see when you click Introduction, so I can understand the confusion there. Sorry you hate it though...

Dcrux: Your definition of CRM and my definition are the same so not sure why you're such a confused person. Again, most of your issues seem to be the fact that you're looking at an ever changing blog instead of the main site and not really sure how to fix that.

As for all your speed bumps, I don't really know what to say. The video links open right from the blog itself. Your constant comments about thugs and jackbooting make no sense to me and I get the feeling you're just not a very respectful person to begin with. Most of your previous post was about as useful as the current one so while I appreciate you taking the time to look at it, you can dispence with all the ugly talk as it serves no purpose.

I appreciate your links and will review them, however, I"m not sure how you think you can have a blog that writes of different things albeit related to the application and yet only write of a single topic. If the blog is suppose to only mention a single topic and nothing more then what is the real point of having a blog? The main website contains all of the information you seem to be so confused about, yet the blog might be where you enter the site due to google picking up a single thread, how does one deal with this? It's the nature of the beast. I'm sure you prefer a one page site because it stays simple enough for you to understand but this application that you seem so bent on insulting happens to include CRM, PDM, Invoicing, Inventory Control, Payroll, Account Receivable, Accounts Payable and more, so how would you suggest I keep to a single topic?

Perhaps I'm misunderstanding your comments but just to critique you for a second, if you want people to respect your ideas and opinions you should really work on your writing skills. The first insulting thing you spue turns anyone listening away, rendering your long winded comments useless. I generally keep an open mind and honestly read your whole post and will work towards trying to find a solution, but you're extremely offensive to listen to.

Thanks,
  #16 (permalink)  
Old 06-28-2009, 08:56 PM
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Default Re: CRM Web Design Review

Quote:
Originally Posted by cybercrypt13 View Post
but you're extremely offensive to listen to.
I agree, I asked for a website review, is it that hard to review the site without being so insulting?
  #17 (permalink)  
Old 06-28-2009, 09:03 PM
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Default Re: CRM Web Design Review

Quote:
Originally Posted by Dcrux View Post
A List Apart -- for people who make web sites -- Calling All Designers: Learn to Write! Text is interface. Deny the connection copy has to "the design" and you relegate design to the very most inconsequential trivialities. You're not responsible for anything, but nor can you charge very much for anything you "contribute."
If we have a kickass designer who is not a copy writer we should fire him because we need someone that can write copy and design.

And why stop there, they need to be able to get us ranked in the search engines, market our site on and offline and cold call customers for us. They should have the best servers in the business, discounts on our domain names, and the list goes on and on.

We don’t want the best designer, we want the do it all man.
  #18 (permalink)  
Old 06-28-2009, 09:03 PM
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Default Re: CRM Web Design Review

Dcrux,

I read the first article you posted and I'd be surprised if this isn't something you wrote, but here are my personal thoughts on it.

Graphics people that work for me generally like to be creative and make things look good, they don't generally like to write. Firing a great designer because he doesn't like to or is bad at writing is just plain dumb.

This is like saying that we should fire all our new paper reporters because they can't take pictures, or that we're going to fire all our photographers and film crews because they can't write. Maybe we should fire all the great camera crews that work for TV stations because they can't write a script? Seems like a very week argument from any angle you turn your head.

Going on to the next article but if it's the same premise I think I'll skip replying. I appreciate you posting the articles as I like to read other peoples opinions, just in this case don't agree one bit.

Thanks,
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Old 06-28-2009, 09:15 PM
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Default Re: CRM Web Design Review

Quote:
Originally Posted by cybercrypt13 View Post
Graphics people that work for me generally like to be creative and make things look good, they don't generally like to write. Firing a great designer because he doesn't like to or is bad at writing is just plain dumb.
I would say it borders on retarded.
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  #20 (permalink)  
Old 06-28-2009, 09:41 PM
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Default Re: CRM Web Design Review

Reviewed using Internet Explorer version 7.0.5730
On initial load got JS error "Done but with errors..." in status bar

Error
-------------
Line:26
Char: 5
Error: Document does not support this property or method
Code: 0
URL: http://www.nixzem/cm

When I reloaded the browser it didn't load with the error... hope that helps

I get right margin bleed from post into your categories (about 30px). Could be my resolution 1152x864
Not sure I care for the left margin not having anything but the text to show the left edge.... not huge... just a small thing and personal preference

I love the bigass buttons for CTA's (Call To Action) at the top I wonder if some small icons or links migh be helpful at the end of the articles. I like to have them there sort of as another enticement since they are finished I like to give the user something else to keep em on the site assuming the three buttons at the top R the action you want the user to take I'd have them in view as much/often as possible.

Aesthtically this site is well done.... I wouldn't expect any less from you!

T
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Old 06-28-2009, 09:47 PM
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Default Re: CRM Web Design Review

Quote:
Originally Posted by Dcrux View Post
The name and blog format work to confuse the reader. While you do manage to explain the name, the blog format buries this so more recent posts have zero context. And although I can understand the basic idea, the premise of giving an app a human name to software is a flawed premise. Microsoft Bob? Hello?
Hmmm. Ask Jeeves didn't do bad with that Butler character did they?I know there are more I just ca't think of em...

You sound like one o'dem copywriters who think if it wasn't written by you it's... it's one thing to criticize constructively... it's another thing to just be a PR about it!
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Old 06-28-2009, 10:05 PM
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Default Re: CRM Web Design Review

Went on to the Video! Ugh qt... I hope that is not quicktime... personally if you need a plugin... you lost me I not only don't want to see the video I'm gone... That's me... others maybe not but with so many other opportunities if that is hosted on YouTube... not only that you can embed right in the page. IMO, more usability. I saw a 20 second DL with a 12 meg connection... No thanks... Using a plugin that has more penetration in the market seems the way to go. qt was never a very popular format even when it was the only game in town. I believe there was a thread on video with some links to programs to save qt in another format
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Old 06-28-2009, 10:27 PM
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Default Re: CRM Web Design Review

Trying to take some of the more reasonable of the negative suggestions here..

I don't have an issue with software named after people.. Especially is its software like CRM where the software becomes another employee.. It can also be marketed to smaller companies to help them sound larger by telling customers that you have to check with "Lizzy" to get some information

However, you might want to consider making Lizzy more prominent by adding a (tm) tag to it.. Lizzy(tm) or even making every instance of Lizzy in italic with the tm etc.. Lizzy(tm).. Or if you really want to get aggressive, hyperlink every instance of Lizzy to a description of her or even better, a javascript/ajax popup so when you mouseover Lizzy you get the info to help explain what she is..

That make sense??

Also, hate the way the videos on the site are done.. I hate .mov, and opening a new window rather than embedded in the content makes me cranky..
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Last edited by Feydakin; 06-28-2009 at 10:29 PM.
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Old 06-29-2009, 06:48 AM
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Smile Re: CRM Web Design Review

Site design and color both are nice. you have to make some small changes with right part link section only. may be white font will look good instead of gray.
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Old 06-29-2009, 09:01 AM
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Default Re: CRM Web Design Review

Quote:
Originally Posted by Terry Van Horne View Post
I love the bigass buttons for CTA's (Call To Action) at the top I wonder if some small icons or links migh be helpful at the end of the articles. I like to have them there sort of as another enticement since they are finished I like to give the user something else to keep em on the site assuming the three buttons at the top R the action you want the user to take I'd have them in view as much/often as possible.

Aesthtically this site is well done.... I wouldn't expect any less from you!

T
Thanks for the idea, we'll get that done today, great idea. I'll also look into the other things you mentioned as well.

Thanks again,
  #26 (permalink)  
Old 06-29-2009, 09:03 AM
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Default Re: CRM Web Design Review

Quote:
Originally Posted by Terry Van Horne View Post
Went on to the Video! Ugh qt... I hope that is not quicktime... personally if you need a plugin... you lost me I not only don't want to see the video I'm gone... That's me... others maybe not but with so many other opportunities if that is hosted on YouTube... not only that you can embed right in the page. IMO, more usability. I saw a 20 second DL with a 12 meg connection... No thanks... Using a plugin that has more penetration in the market seems the way to go. qt was never a very popular format even when it was the only game in town. I believe there was a thread on video with some links to programs to save qt in another format
Thank you, already working on this and should have done today.
  #27 (permalink)  
Old 06-29-2009, 09:07 AM
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Default Re: CRM Web Design Review

Quote:
Originally Posted by Feydakin View Post
Trying to take some of the more reasonable of the negative suggestions here..

I don't have an issue with software named after people.. Especially is its software like CRM where the software becomes another employee.. It can also be marketed to smaller companies to help them sound larger by telling customers that you have to check with "Lizzy" to get some information

However, you might want to consider making Lizzy more prominent by adding a (tm) tag to it.. Lizzy(tm) or even making every instance of Lizzy in italic with the tm etc.. Lizzy(tm).. Or if you really want to get aggressive, hyperlink every instance of Lizzy to a description of her or even better, a javascript/ajax popup so when you mouseover Lizzy you get the info to help explain what she is..

That make sense??

Also, hate the way the videos on the site are done.. I hate .mov, and opening a new window rather than embedded in the content makes me cranky..
Videos will be taken care of today and great idea on the Lizzy name, we'll see what we can do with that too
  #28 (permalink)  
Old 06-29-2009, 09:47 AM
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Default Re: CRM Web Design Review

Quote:
Ask Jeeves didn't do bad with that Butler character did they?
Yes. So effective, they aren't using it. Type ASKJEEVES.COM into your browser and see what happens.

Yet still, they tried to tie in the idea of what a butler does and what a search engine does. Jeeves is simply a generic for butler, the goal is to associate more with a profession than a name. Which is better than a tack-on random name.

Completely wrong conclusion drawn, but still a good try.

Quote:
Firing a great designer because he doesn't like to or is bad at writing is just plain dumb.
I agree somewhat with that point, which is why I didn't suggest such a thing. But it's an interesting suggestion nonetheless and I may change my position. For now, let's try an alternative I do suggest.

Whether or not you agree with A List Apart, it's a highly dubious assumption a design which isolates copy from style is "great design." As I did actually point out, there is a perfectly serviceable term: Stylist.

But it's a moot point here. Because, although you could stretch and say Wordpress falls into a gray area, mostly it does tend to get classified under Content Management System. As such, I would genuinely like to see the dynamic mental backflip necessary to divorce oneself from design responsibility for copy -- if not copywriting.

You don't have to write copy to have copy written. In fact, an important argument (could have been) made for the designer to collaborate with the writer but not be the writer.

This line of reasoning would be to distance themselves from getting too attached to the copy in order to judge it on effectiveness and how well it fits with, say a blog format, or video and text. This would work for positioning yourself as a designer, and not a stylist. Or for making the distinction a design agency does more than write bigger numbers in the client billing.

Collaboration with someone -- such as a copy writer -- would be one argument for what makes a design great. And an willful inability to collaborate in such a way a crucial disqualifier from reaching the level of great design.

Don't quibble with me about being bad at writing -- time to sue your elementary school English teacher for malpractice. The web is, still, largely text. Not dealing with it under the transparent excuses of not part of what a designer does is ..well, just the sort of dumb I'm accused of.

Saying "a kickass designer" would make this excuse just doesn't hold water. A graphic artist, perhaps. A stylist, of course. One of the reasons these words are spelled entirely differently.

So no, you don't have to "fire" a designer ...unless, of course, they make up flimsy excuses for having nothing whatsoever to do with text on a CMS. (Repeat: C.M.S.) An important distinction I didn't fully appreciate until you brought it up. Good point. Thanks for making it.

Quote:
Went on to the Video! Ugh qt... I hope that is not quicktime... personally if you need a plugin... you lost me
September 2008 stat trivia: 64% have Quicktime installed. It depends on your target audience, so actual visitor percentages may vary. But I suppose such things, likewise, are of little concern to "kickass design."


Related:

"Getting Real" design tip: Just say no to Lorem Ipsum Having boilerplate text as a placeholder insures the text never actually has anything to do with the style and even the layout decisions. This is one way you get text in one place, and video in another section. But then, 37signals ...are they "kickass"?

Last edited by Dcrux; 06-29-2009 at 10:46 AM.
  #29 (permalink)  
Old 06-29-2009, 11:22 AM
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Default Re: CRM Web Design Review

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Originally Posted by Dcrux View Post
I agree somewhat with that point, which is why I didn't suggest such a thing. But it's an interesting suggestion nonetheless and I may change my position.
The only person that seems to think the designer should be a copywriter is you. But I have to ask, where do you draw the line?

Should the designer also be the host and the marketer?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Dcrux View Post
For now, let's try an alternative I do suggest.

Whether or not you agree with A List Apart, it's a highly dubious assumption a design which isolates copy from style is "great design." As I did actually point out, there is a perfectly serviceable term: Stylist.
The design should be built in such a way that it complements the content. Although there are cases like Apple and Dell Laptops, Desktop Computers, Monitors, Printers & PC Accessories where there is no content and it is all design.

Do you think that was because their designer was not a copywriter?

I know this might be a totally new concept for you but have you ever heard of a sales copywriter?

Professionals that went to school not to be web designers but to be professional copywriters, that would be people that write copy for the sole purpose of building an interest in the product that the company has to sale.

I could see a web design company hiring a copywriter but I can't see making an artist become a copywriter.


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Originally Posted by Dcrux View Post
But it's a moot point here. Because, although you could stretch and say Wordpress falls into a gray area, mostly it does tend to get classified under Content Management System. As such, I would genuinely like to see the dynamic mental backflip necessary to divorce oneself from design responsibility for copy -- if not copywriting.

You don't have to write copy to have copy written. In fact, an important argument (could have been) made for the designer to collaborate with the writer but not be the writer.

I agree, it should be against the law for anyone to write any type of copy without a web designer present.
The web designer must sit beside everyone that has any type of blog, website or social media site and approve each bit of content they write.


Quote:
Originally Posted by Dcrux View Post
This line of reasoning would be to distance themselves from getting too attached to the copy in order to judge it on effectiveness and how well it fits with, say a blog format, or video and text. This would work for positioning yourself as a designer, and not a stylist. Or for making the distinction a design agency does more than write bigger numbers in the client billing.

Collaboration with someone -- such as a copy writer -- would be one argument for what makes a design great. And an willful inability to collaborate in such a way a crucial disqualifier from reaching the level of great design.

Don't quibble with me about being bad at writing -- time to sue your elementary school English teacher for malpractice. The web is, still, largely text. Not dealing with it under the transparent excuses of not part of what a designer does is ..well, just the sort of dumb I'm accused of.
For you all writers are equal?

That is as long as they had a good elementary school teacher.

I can see you are equal to

William Shakespeare

Benjamin Franklin

Abraham Lincoln

Mark Twain or even Winston Churchill



Quote:
Originally Posted by Dcrux View Post
Saying "a kickass designer" would make this excuse just doesn't hold water. A graphic artist, perhaps. A stylist, of course. One of the reasons these words are spelled entirely differently.

So no, you don't have to "fire" a designer ...unless, of course, they make up flimsy excuses for having nothing whatsoever to do with text on a CMS. (Repeat: C.M.S.) An important distinction I didn't fully appreciate until you brought it up. Good point. Thanks for making it.
A CMS is a content management system that allows the client or site owner to make changes and add content themselves.

Do you believe the web designer should sit on their right or left side as they watch to approve each bit of content the site owner puts on his/her site?

If someone dares to place content on their website without a web designer being present should they be fined or jailed?
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Old 06-29-2009, 11:27 AM
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Yes. So effective, they aren't using it. Type ASKJEEVES.COM into your browser and see what happens.
Sorry... how about Mickey Mouse and Disney?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dcrux View Post
September 2008 stat trivia: 64% have Quicktime installed.."
well perhaps Mr. copywriter thinks 65% is a number worthy of consideration but I'm pretty sure my clients would be unhappy when they learn I've just told 35% of thier visitors they aren't equipped to see their video because they don't have some plugin. I'm pretty sure they'd be happier with the media player 90% of the world has installed in their OS!

By the way... where I come from people like you get taken out behind the barn and taught some F'in manners. If you are ever in Toronto... drop by... I'm sure I can find a barn somewhere and we can talk a little!
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  #31 (permalink)  
Old 06-29-2009, 11:37 AM
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Default Re: CRM Web Design Review

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Originally Posted by Dcrux View Post
Yes. So effective, they aren't using it. Type ASKJEEVES.COM into your browser and see what happens.
Actually, you are misinformed. They are indeed using it. In english datacenters, the brits love it so much jeeves had to reinstate it.
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Old 06-29-2009, 11:54 AM
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Originally Posted by cybercrypt13 View Post
This is like saying that we should fire all our new paper reporters because they can't take pictures, or that we're going to fire all our photographers and film crews because they can't write. Maybe we should fire all the great camera crews that work for TV stations because they can't write a script?
What's your thought on this Dcrux?

Should they have to hire a web designer to sit with them as well?
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Old 06-29-2009, 12:31 PM
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Default Re: CRM Web Design Review

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Originally Posted by Terry Van Horne View Post
Sorry... how about Mickey Mouse and Disney?
well perhaps Mr. copywriter thinks 65% is a number worthy of consideration but I'm pretty sure my clients would be unhappy when they learn I've just told 35% of thier visitors they aren't equipped to see their video because they don't have some plugin. I'm pretty sure they'd be happier with the media player 90% of the world has installed in their OS!

By the way... where I come from people like you get taken out behind the barn and taught some F'in manners. If you are ever in Toronto... drop by... I'm sure I can find a barn somewhere and we can talk a little!
Just a question: It's now 10:30am here and I've been going at this since 7am. So far here is what I've learned and hopefully you can offer some suggestions.

Youtube has been purchased by google and now I can ONLY upload videos less than 10 minutes in length. I can't even access my older accounts on Youtube because for some reason its forcing me to have a google account to login.. So youtube is out for a possible encoding engine.

Next up I've been trying to convert the mov files to flv files to display in flash, this is beyond frustrating as the final output quality is so poor that I'd rather have people download a plugin than view this.

I'm still searching but can you offer any suggestions on how you do video encoding that might get me a little farther along? My mov files are smaller, they stream and they are 10 times better quality than anything else I've found so far.

Thanks,
  #34 (permalink)  
Old 06-29-2009, 12:42 PM
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Default Re: CRM Web Design Review

Quote:
But I have to ask, where do you draw the line?
First, you yourself point out "...The design should be built in such a way that it complements the content."

How, pray tell, does one accomplish this without some understanding and appreciation for writing? And also, as cited, I'm not the only one of this opinion.

Quote:
I know this might be a totally new concept for you but have you ever heard of a sales copywriter?
I've charged more for just the sales copy on a single page of a site than many designers charge for the whole site, so yes. While I may understand the distinction between PR writing, direct response, institutional writing, and a white paper, I also understand few others can make a similar distinction.

If only the site in question would make the distinction.

Question: If the designer doesn't make this distinction, wouldn't they then choose a less than effective layout? In other words, forget sitting down and doing the writing. Can you suggest a CMS for a client when you know they will be writing, and not know the least little thing about writers or their goals for writing?

Back to a previous point made. The photojournalism major should be sufficient to provide the foundation training you need to write well as well as shoot well. In fact, you can't get the job without writing ability. Not Pulitzer level. But yes, writing ...and writing well.

And guess what? I checked, and writing courses are part of a photojournalism degree. But then journalism is a profession.

Quote:
A CMS is a content management system that allows the client or site owner to make changes and add content themselves.
No, that's what a developer wants: A Site Content Editor window. Let's just call it a content editor. We're not even talking about admin level access, in general, so what we're talking about is basic editing functions in the more primitive meaning of "editing."

The word management implies a little more of what CMS Watch talks about in What is a CMS?

It's not that you can't use these apps for their editor window. Just that's not all they can do that clients might care about. For example, the oft repeated adage "you can't manage what you don't measure" comes to mind. The edit function is more an applet - like Cushy.

Why they call it a CMS is anyone's guess.

Quote:
If someone dares to place content on their website without a web designer being present should they be fined or jailed?
Seems like the previous designers should be fired thing, but an interesting suggestion I hadn't considered.

In any event, it's clear what happens if anyone dares suggest designers should write.

Quote:
35% of thier visitors they aren't equipped to see their video
That is my point. Kickass design should consider a large minority can't see the video. Which is why I mentioned it in my original post. And why I have and posted the statistic -- and not one of the kickass designer club did. I agree roughly one third is way too high.

My question is does playing the kickass design card get you out of this? Sounds like a pretty sweet deal (for designers) and does explain who, exactly, is getting kicked. The benefits of this strange new "kickass design" concept wasn't clear to me before.

So A List Apart and 37signals are out. Mickey Mouse is in. Gotcha.

Last edited by Dcrux; 06-29-2009 at 01:22 PM.
  #35 (permalink)  
Old 06-29-2009, 02:29 PM
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Default Re: CRM Web Design Review

If I decide to get into content writing I will hire a content writer. I’ve got programmers for programming and designers for designing it would only make sense to hire a copywriter for copywriting.

At this moment in time I can think God that I am able to keep my designers busy enough that they don’t need to learn how to do copywriting. My designers are full time designers, not part time designer, part time programmer and part time copywriter.

I personally believe you get better with practice and if you do everything part time it’ll take you twice as long to get as good as you would if you were doing it full time. Or actually you would never get as good because you would only be working half as much or in this case a third at best.

I can understand your point, if my website was not able to keep me busy I would also have to find more tasks for my current designers to do, like copywriting. It’s one of the reasons I spend so much time on website conversion, being able to convert as many website visitors into clients can make the difference in having a fulltime designer or a part time copywriter.

I’ll get one of the girls in the office to start looking for a copywriter and I’ll hire them but I want pull a web designer off a web design job and ask him to start writing copy. I hired him to be a web designer and I want force my copywriter to design websites, I hired him to be a copywriter.
  #36 (permalink)  
Old 06-29-2009, 02:46 PM
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Default Re: CRM Web Design Review

Quote:
Originally Posted by cybercrypt13 View Post
Youtube has been purchased by google and now I can ONLY upload videos less than 10 minutes in length. I can't even access my older accounts on Youtube because for some reason its forcing me to have a google account to login.. So youtube is out for a possible encoding engine.
Unfortunately Google account is required for everything Google now. Handy if like me you use a lot of different services.
Quote:
Originally Posted by cybercrypt13 View Post
Next up I've been trying to convert the mov files to flv files to display in flash, this is beyond frustrating as the final output quality is so poor that I'd rather have people download a plugin than view this.
Not my forte... but... perhaps changing to another format that does convert well from mov and then convert that to flv.

convert mov to flv - Google Search
looked pretty good place to start
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  #37 (permalink)  
Old 06-29-2009, 07:51 PM
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Default Re: CRM Web Design Review

I made a couple design changes, does that make it easier to understand what the site is about?
  #38 (permalink)  
Old 06-29-2009, 08:31 PM
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Default Re: CRM Web Design Review

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Originally Posted by janeth View Post
I made a couple design changes, does that make it easier to understand what the site is about?
NO!
CRM = Customer Relationship Management
That is what everyone thinks when they read those 3 letters.
Yet, you have "The fastest path to managing employees".
What does CRM have to do with managing employees when it is all about customers?
You cannot just redefine an initialism willy-nilly.
I mean, if I defined IBM to mean "Internal Button Manipulation" am I going to successfully sell my button product by using the term IBM everywhere? No. And, it was a rhetorical question.

It is not the design that I object to. It is that MY eye is immediately drawn to the text: "CRM to PDM Flow Video". So, I see incomprehensible jargon.
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  #39 (permalink)  
Old 06-29-2009, 09:58 PM
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Default Re: CRM Web Design Review

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Originally Posted by davebarnes View Post
NO!
CRM = Customer Relationship Management
That is what everyone thinks when they read those 3 letters.
Yet, you have "The fastest path to managing employees".
What does CRM have to do with managing employees when it is all about customers?
You cannot just redefine an initialism willy-nilly.
I mean, if I defined IBM to mean "Internal Button Manipulation" am I going to successfully sell my button product by using the term IBM everywhere? No. And, it was a rhetorical question.

It is not the design that I object to. It is that MY eye is immediately drawn to the text: "CRM to PDM Flow Video". So, I see incomprehensible jargon.
You said CRM = Customer Relationship Management, then you said your eyes are drawn towards CRM to PDM and that is incomprehensible jargon.

If you know that CRM is customer relationship management then how is it incomprehensible?

The program does a lot more than just CRM and PDM.
  #40 (permalink)  
Old 06-29-2009, 11:53 PM
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Default Re: CRM Web Design Review

Quote:
Originally Posted by davebarnes View Post
"The fastest path to managing employees".
What does CRM have to do with managing employees when it is all about customers?
Where is that reference on the site, I didn't see it....ooopppps sorry, I see it now
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  #41 (permalink)  
Old 06-29-2009, 11:57 PM
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Default Re: CRM Web Design Review

Quote:
Originally Posted by janeth View Post
You said CRM = Customer Relationship Management, then you said your eyes are drawn towards CRM to PDM and that is incomprehensible jargon.

If you know that CRM is customer relationship management then how is it incomprehensible?

The program does a lot more than just CRM and PDM.
Dave wrote: "Yet, you have "The fastest path to managing employees"."

Simply put, Dave is saying that there is a disconnect between that element and the reference to CRM/PDM. He doesn't mind that you're using the terminology 'CRM'

From Dave's post, I would suggest changing this element:
a. The fastest path to managing employees; to
b. The fasted path to managing customer relations
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Old 06-30-2009, 12:21 AM
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Default Re: CRM Web Design Review

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Originally Posted by janeth View Post
If you know that CRM is customer relationship management then how is it incomprehensible?
Because the homepage defines CRM as "Contact Resource Management".

That is what upsets me.
CRM does not mean "contact..." to anyone. And, certainly, not your prospects.
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  #43 (permalink)  
Old 06-30-2009, 12:32 AM
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Default Re: CRM Web Design Review

That is true Dave, but it seems that people do indeed search for CRM and CMS which are very similar in nature:

Customer relationship management (CRM) consists of the processes a company uses to track and organize its contacts with its current and prospective customers.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Customer_relationship_management

A Contact Management System (CMS) is an integrated office solution that allows organizations and individuals to record relationships and interactions with customers and suppliers.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Contact_manager

I also typed 'contact management system' into google and the top three sponsored google results are:

1. Contact Management System
www.salesforce.com Easily Manage Contacts & Clients. Get a Free Trial of Salesforce.com.
2. Contact Management System
www.clpsuite.com Easy to set up, easy to use Affordable, pay-as-you-go pricing
3. Sage CRM Solutions
www.SageCRMSolutions.com Customer Relationships Made Easy. Learn More. Try a Demo Today!

Apparently Sage thinks a search for a contact management system is sufficiently relevant to their 'CRM' solution that they decided to pay for the advertisement.
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Old 06-30-2009, 12:47 AM
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Default Re: CRM Web Design Review

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Originally Posted by cw1865 View Post
That is true Dave, but it seems that people do indeed search for CRM and CMS which are very similar in nature:
No!
CMS = Content Management System (you know, Joomla)
CRM = Customer Relationship Management

They are not even on the same planet.

My whole point is: Don't use an initialism that can mean something other that what you want it to mean.
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  #45 (permalink)  
Old 06-30-2009, 12:54 AM
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Default Re: CRM Web Design Review

Dave: Different industries use different terminology. I have heard many lead generators call a Contact Management System a CMS. It is as common, maybe even more so, than content management system, as it is likely older in the lead gen industry.

What you consider to be incorrect in abbrevs in your main fields of experience, may be perfectly right in someone elses.
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  #46 (permalink)  
Old 06-30-2009, 12:59 AM
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Default Re: CRM Web Design Review

Yes, I do understand your point, it would be akin to calling the TVA, the Tennessee Victory Assembly; however, in this particular instance, how do we explain the fact that Sage is paying for adsense for the term 'contact management system' and displaying an ad that refers to a 'CRM' system? (If I refered to 'ContEnt Management System before I apologize)

We also have to remember that Janet is obviously a native Spanish speaker apparently developing a site for what appears to be a US based company. I have read her posts and while its obvious that her English is excellent these are still terms of art (jargon if you prefer) which she must necessarily receive from her own customer whose expertise evolved from selling into the industry.

If we look at the title tag:
CRM and PDM contact management contact management software contact management system

This reference shows a specific intent to gun for the term 'contact management' DESPITE the fact that you would prefer to call the system a CRM system. At the end of the day I can't see how this could be the result of anything other than direct input from the customer.
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  #47 (permalink)  
Old 06-30-2009, 01:53 AM
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Default Re: CRM Web Design Review

there are to many acronyms in the world today.

TVA = Tennessee Valley AuthorityThese are the people who will turn off my lights if I do not pay my bill.

Reading through this I have to ask, what term would you give this program if not CRM?

With that. If you look up CRM you get

CRM Customer Relationship Management
CRM
Chrome
CRM
Crisis Management
CRM
Customer Relations Management
CRM Client Relationship Management
CRM Customer Relationship Marketing
CRM Crew Resource Management
CRM
Customer Resource Management
CRM Cultural Resource Management (National Park Service)
CRM
Cause Related Marketing
CRM
Contact Relationship Management
CRM Centre de Recherches Mathématiques (Canada)
CRM
Conselho Regional de Medicina (Brazil Regional Council of Medicine)
CRM Cardiac Rhythm Management (pacemakers, defibrillators, cardiostimulators)
CRM Certified Reference Material
CRM
Cultural Resources Management
CRM
Conceptual Reference Model
CRM Change-Request Management
CRM
Cockpit Resource Management
CRM
Certified Records Manager
CRM Credit Risk Mitigation
CRM
Corporate Risk Management
CRM
Cloud-Resolving Model
CRM
Clinical Research Management
CRM Composite Risk Management
CRM Column Radiation Model
CRM
Conseil de Recherches Médicales du Canada (Medical Research Council of Canada)
CRM Certified Risk Manager
CRM
Coastal Resource Management
CRM Cold Rolling Mill (steel operations)
CRM Continuous Risk Management
CRM
Clinical Risk Management
CRM
Credit and Risk Management
CRM Courtesy Reply Mail
CRM
Crumb Rubber Modifier (asphalt/paving)
CRM Commodity Risk Management
CRM
Chemical Remanent Magnetization
CRM Cultural Resource Manager
CRM Cell Rate Margin (ATM)
CRM
Controllable Regex Mutilator (anti-spam software)
CRM
Cross-Reactive MaterialCRM Cisco Resource Manager
CRM
Center for Regenerative Medicine
CRM Center for Relationship Marketing
CRM
Complete Relationship Management
CRM Coordinadora Revolucionaria de Masas
CRM Communication Resource Manager
CRM
Colorado Railroad Museum
CRM Consolidated Reference Model
CRM Certificate Request Message
CRM
Citizens' Rights Movement (Israeli party)
CRM Computer Resources Management
CRM
Circuit Reservation Message
CRM Chromosome Region Maintenance
CRM
Content Resource Management
CRM
Crisis Response Management
CRM Combat Readiness Medal
CRM
Collection Requirements Management
CRM
Customer Relational Marketing
CRM Count Rate Meter
CRM
Chemical Release Module
CRM Crew Research Management
CRM Computer Resource Manager
CRM Canalith Repositioning Maneuver
CRM Conflict Resolution Model
CRM
Creighton Method (birth control)
CRM Club Ricky Martin
CRM Comment Resolution Matrix
CRM
Cisco Router Module
CRM Camera Ready Material
CRM Client Request Manager
CRM Communications and Records Management
CRM
Comment Resolution Meeting
CRM Camera Ready Mechanical
CRM
Chief Radio Man
CRM Crisis Resource Manager
CRM Corporate Release Management
CRM Capacity Request Message
CRM
Certificate in Resource Management
CRM
Collateral Release Mechanism
CRM Computer Reproducible Master
CRM Closed Response Message (ITU-T)
CRM Contract Requirements Matrix
CRM
Corrosion Rate Monitoring

What all of them who is to say they are actually wrong? I'm not picking sides here. if anyone ask me what CRM means I would say Customer Relationship Management. But depending on who I'm with and where I am, if I would be correct.
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