Simplify the Listing Process for Users!

[JoeT +]

I have been trying to get 68classifieds off the ground for some time on my own site. I finally have gotten feedback from members telling me they do not like how complicated the listing process is since we have so many subcategories. In realty if you have a classified website it is going to have lots of subcategories. Many users are not as savvy as designers and developers would be with the internet and if something is difficult or confusing those users will not use the site.

I believe 68 Classifieds is the best script you can get, believe me Ive searched all of them!!

I just think in my opinion the process needs to be simplified. How about going along the lines of a Craigslist Listing process since a monkey could list on craigslist. Everyone uses craigslist, and I have looked into the craigslist clone scripts also, but frankly they all suck.

I'm sure this wont happen, but I feel the process is killing my growth.

[Lhotch +]

With features like extra fields, various ad listing packages, multiple categories and subcategories comes complexity.

You can have easy and simple (aka craigslist) or you can have the added features above and the complexity that comes with it but its hard to have both.

You could also checkout the templatecodes easy checkout mod.

P.S. people use craigs list because of its traffic more than its ease of use. It is actually very limited in functionality and a pain in the ass to search for and narrow down to applicable ads. By making the ad placement process easy craigslist made the looking for ads more cumbersome. Its also simply hard on the eyes, like a 12 year old built it. But once again people use it because there are people using it. People dont visit sites with no ads and people dont post ads on sites with no visitors.

[JoeT +]

I agree with every word you said. However, it still doesn't resolve the fact that most users looking for classified websites look for simplicity.

[Lhotch +]

Originally Posted by JoeT

I agree with every word you said. However, it still doesn't resolve the fact that most users looking for classified websites look for simplicity.

Simplicity in what sense? I dont use craigs list because its NOT simple. Simple to place an ad yes, but a royal pain to find anything you need because you have to sift through all the crap that doesnt apply.

So whats the option? Dumb down 68C so it no longer has all the features making narrowing in on applicable ads easy so those placing ads have an easier time. Then what you run into is people not looking at your ads because they dont want to sift through the BS.

Your job as site creator is to find the happy medium and set up categories, ad packages etc that make the ad placement process as easy as possible while making finding applicable ads as easy as possible.

As I already mentioned there is a quick checkout mod that puts everything on a single page but at the end of the day YOU cant have it all, you need to decide whats important.

P.S. Offering suggestions on how to improve something may also have value, just stating your clients are incapable of navigating your checkout process offers nothing of value to those developing this product. Criticisms without solutions are worthless.

[Mike-N-Tosh +]

Originally Posted by JoeT

I agree with every word you said. However, it still doesn't resolve the fact that most users looking for classified websites look for simplicity.

So my question is, if you, yourself are saying that they are looking for "simplicity", then why do you have such a complicated category/subcategory system? A classified site does NOT have to have "lot's of subcategories" as you say. That in of itself adds complexity.

I would also like to know where you get the " fact that most users looking for classified websites look for simplicity."???

eBay (I know that eBay is NOT a classifieds site) is one of the most successful user inputted e-commerce sites in the world. There is nothing simple about it, yet the FACTS & statistics speak for themselves, it is the most popular destination for end users selling goods worldwide.

[JoeT +]

Um Larry since listing is the absolute most important part of a classified site, I think that matters most, way more than searching for an ad. you cant search for anything if no one wants to list.

When people list an ad the process is a little over whelming for newbie users. I don't know what the answer is, its why I posted this message.

Thanks for your response. Doesn't look like you agree with me or can help.

Im not sure why Im being attacked here man??

Both of you have internet skills. Lots of people looking to list something for sale sometimes barely know how to spell in an ad and know how to do very little online. How do I know?? I build computers and when I deal with clients its amazing what they do not know.

I did give a suggestion, I said simplified, maybe more of a step by step.

You 2 probably have forgotten more about computer use than most computer users know.

[Mike-N-Tosh +]

JoeT,

I'm certainly not trying to attack you and I apologize if that is the way that it comes off. However, you are making claims stating things as a fact when they are not fact. You made the statement you were getting complaints from your users, because you had so many subcategories and then somehow came across (in my opinion) as if this was a failure in the 68 product.

The checkout is a step by step process as it is. This was one of the features that 68 added to the product from suggestions of their customers. I have nothing against anyone making further suggestions to make the product better and obviously, 68 welcomes suggestions as well.

What suggestions do you have to simplify the checkout process as opposed to the broad suggestion of make it simpler?

[seymourjames +]

This is the best that there is in terms of putting it on one page. Three whole steps in the accordion can also be removed. Images can be uploaded in one go. you don't have to have a TC template either. It runs on the default quite happily.

Quick Checkout

I think it is simpler. I am unsure how you can create a generic script be be much simpler.

[Lhotch +]

Originally Posted by JoeT

Thanks for your response. Doesn't look like you agree with me or can help.

Is the checkout process lengthy? Sure it is, but is it too lengthy? Thats open to opinion, define too lengthy.

My gripe is how can anyone help you when you dont clearly define what you want to acheive?

YOU are the one who chose 68C because of the features it offers but those same features make placing an ad more complicated, as I said before there are rules in the universe and if you want a feature rich classified site there are some trade offs.

Originally Posted by JoeT

I did give a suggestion, I said simplified, maybe more of a step by step.

Thats not a suggestion, thats a perception. Your perception is its complex and for someone who looks at it and doesnt see complex stating to "simplify" means nothing. So yes, a step by step or at least details helping people understand what your definition of simple is would go a long way.

Originally Posted by JoeT

Um Larry since listing is the absolute most important part of a classified site, I think that matters most, way more than searching for an ad. you cant search for anything if no one wants to list.

This is a what came first, the chicken or the egg scenario. I dont care how many ads are on a site, if they are not easy to find people wont use the site, if people dont use the site why would anyone post an ad on it? The 2 aspects go hand in hand, you cant completely ignore one in favor of the other, you have to find a happy compromise as I stated above.