What you've told us,
and what we're doing about it ...
Posted Jun 11th 2007 10:12PM by Lisa Edwards
You've provided us with a lot of feedback on the new AOL.com homepage design since we launched the first beta test back in April. We want you to know that we've reviewed it all: the good, the bad and the ugly. Now that our blog is up and running, we wanted to highlight the major feedback themes and issues you told us about in the Feedback Survey and let you know what we're doing about them.
So without further delay, here are the major feedback themes:
- I can't customize the page. The majority of comments in this bucket focused on the ability to add/remove modules, the ability to move modules around on the page and a few comments on wanting the ability to increase/decrease the amount of content within modules.
We couldn't agree more! AOL.com is your homepage and you should have the ability to make it your own. We will provide several customization options in the next round of beta updates to be rolled out the week of June 18th. Features include the ability to add and remove modules in the Preview Panel area that currently features Mail, Weather, Radio and Horoscopes. You'll be able to change the color of your homepage and will even be able to choose a narrow version of AOL.com to be your home page.
- I can't change the color of my home page. This could have grouped this with "I can't customize the page" but due to the sheer volume of feedback on this topic, we chose to break it out separately.
Again, we couldn't agree more! As mentioned above, we will provide you with the ability to change the color of your home page in our next round of updates (week of June 18th). Our design team has cooked up five color options, in addition to the standard color, that we think you'll really like. And we hope to introduce even more over time.
- I don't like the color of the new home page.
It's hard to please everyone when it comes to color. But we are providing the ability to change the color of your home page in our next home page update, including the option of a more "traditional AOL Blue" if you prefer that. So we think we'll be in a good place in addressing this one, but if you're not satisfied with any of the new color options, let us know.
- The new page is too wide / too crowded.
We are introducing a narrow (two column) version of the homepage in our next update. The standard view of the new page is definitely wider than the current version of AOL.com. But the majority of you, AOL.com users, have higher screen resolutions, and we decided to go wide to take advantage of the extra screen real estate. The wider page lets us get more content above the fold line (less scrolling for you). A lot of Web sites have migrated to wide body page layouts. But bigger clearly is not better for everyone. So, you will be able to choose the the narrow version to be displayed on subsequent visits to AOL.com.
- What happened to the AIM button?
We're sorry! Please forgive us. We are bringing back the AIM button in our next update. So you will once again have direct access to AIM Express from AOL.com.
- The New Page Looks Exactly Like Yahoo!
We received more feedback on this topic than any other since we launched the Beta test. So we're glad to have an opportunity to address the issue, and to share the history and thought process that led us to the first Beta design. When we're done, you may still not agree with the approach, and that's OK. But most importantly, you will understand how we got here.
So how did we arrive at the new Beta design? We started designing the new AOL.com over a year ago. We spent months in the concept phase, conducting focus group and lab tests to create the next generation AOL.com homepage design. We looked at data, studied our competition and talked to users. We produced numerous home page concepts, at least three or four of which were radically different, both from a design and feature perspective, from other home pages (ours, Yahoo!, MSN etc.).
What we realized going through this exercise, however, was that there are a number of standards and "best practices" that have emerged in how good home pages are designed. Looking back at what we had done in previous home page designs and what Yahoo!, MSN and other leading sites had done over the last several years, it became clear that we had been borrowing good ideas from each other for many years. In fact, many of the elements of our new home page that might remind you of Yahoo!, like the "channel strip" with its colorful icons, are in fact elements that we have used successfully on our homepages for years.
That said, Yahoo! is a Web site that a vast number of people use on a regular basis, and they built a great site. Of course we've looked at what they've done and tried to learn from it to make our product better. In some ways you can look at the AOL.com Beta design that you see today as a competitive benchmarking exercise against Yahoo! (all good companies do this). We've been testing it out with a small group of our users (you), and we've learned which elements work and which don't. The important takeaway, however, is that this design was and is a starting point for us. We are making changes to the experience and introducing new features based on your feedback. And you will see these changes roll out in the coming weeks.
So, will there still be similarities with Yahoo! after the beta test is over? Absolutely! There will also be similarities with MSN. All home pages must deliver a basic set of features and functionality (e-mail, search, news, Weather, navigation) to meet users' needs and expectations, and we all learn from each other in how we best deliver these. As the home page space continues to mature, design standards have and will continue to emerge that we will all adopt: left hand navigation, ad banner sizes, search treatment and placement etc. So standardization of fundamental page elements is not a bad thing (much like you have certain basic expectations of how a Web e-mail or instant messaging application will be laid out).
But having said this, we do spend our days in the office working on ways to truly differentiate the new AOL.com in areas that matter the most to you:
- Making the home page faster: We know you don't like to wait (neither do we).
- Ease of use
- Highlighting the great content you care about
- Useful functionality: We want to make AOL.com a place where you can get things done and not just find things.
- Personalization
- Local functionality like Events, Traffic, Gas Prices and more
We will continue to work on ways we can make the AOL.com home page better in all of these areas, and we look to you for feedback and ideas on how we can do that.
Lisa
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About The Team
My Name is Lisa and I'm the Product Lead for AOL.COM. In short, I lead the team that designs, builds the new versions of AOL.com and make sure that current experience run smoothly. My mission (the team's mission) is to build the best home page for you and everyone that visits AOL.com. This is definitely NOT a one person operation. It takes a village! And I'll be introducing you to the team behind the scenes in the coming weeks.
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Reader Comments (Page 12 of 13)
221. I never liked Explorer although using AOL Explorer for internet access has proven easier than Microsoft version. I still prefer AOL E-mail screen for a number of reasons, primarily-
-ability to switch between E-mail accounts easier;
-ability to see whether there are new E-mail messages prior to closing out from any one account;
PLEASE do not plan to eliminate AOL E-mail screen and service by combining it with AOL Explorer!!!!
Posted at 8:49AM on Sep 5th 2007 by IBSImani
222. This new version of AOL is awful. None of the graphics display in any of the emails that I receive. Am I doing something incorrect with my configuration??? This 'new' version is definitely a test of my patience.
Posted at 4:02PM on Sep 5th 2007 by mhgni
223.
I will whole-heartedly agree. Getting or sending a black-and-white email is soooo gross. Color is the only easy way to soften hard messages. PLEASE DO SOMETHING ABOUT THE FONTS AND COLORS FOR EMAIL.
Posted at 5:28PM on Sep 11th 2007 by b2bscott
224. How can i retrieve my old e-mails from my old screen name?
i was forced to create a new one, because i could not logg in,in the one who i used for years.
Posted at 12:27AM on Sep 13th 2007 by manuel
225. This new email is soooooo slow and I freeze and lock up all the time. I changed to basic as suggested but when I log off and reboot I get the standard version again. I have to go into email (slowwwwww) to get back to the basic tab.
I really do not like this new version
Posted at 7:42PM on Sep 13th 2007 by mdrosemary
226. I am lucky, I don't freeze up. However I'm not a big fan of the new mail. I'd rather have my buddy list back instead of aim. And what happened to our choice of voices? I sure do miss Berry White saying Welcome Baby, you got mail. Unless I've missed something, where are the desktop displays? I had some tulips that opened up before. Seems alot of stuff is missing or just too hard to find. Thanks, Msharon530.
Posted at 6:11PM on Sep 17th 2007 by Sharon Miller
227. #2 I forgot, when I sign on I get 2, welcome to aol, up above the search line. I have to x one out or the mail doesn't load, also the "how to make aol your home page" screen keeps coming up, have to x it out too, so every time I get on, I have to x out at least 2 things before I can get started. Thanks again, Msharon530
Posted at 6:11PM on Sep 17th 2007 by Sharon Miller
228. #3 Forgot again, why do I have to sign on to games now, never did before, at least give it a "remember me" tab. Thanks again
Posted at 6:12PM on Sep 17th 2007 by Sharon Miller
229. The first page on the aol.com page for me the 1 out of 5 for the past 2 months has been the news on Hurricane Dean!
please change this! This doesnt happen when I am on my PC at home. Just on my laptop for someone reason at work. But when I click to all the rest of the stories 2, 3, 4, 5 out of 5 they are new!
But the first story is still Hurricane Dean and the dark windy, rainy picture!
What is going on, its driving me insane!
I love aol and I have had it since 1994 along with my entire family!
Thank you
Topgun1050
Posted at 9:11AM on Sep 21st 2007 by topgun1050
230. Okay, just when we thought the new homepage might be worth trying to get used to...ads that keep you from clicking on anything? All day today I've had to wait while an ad for some stupid TV show drifts across my screen...then I have to wait some more while I guess it's getting settled back into place. Guess what? I don't watch that show, the fact that the ad is keeping me from checking email makes it highly unlikely I will ever watch that show, and I don't care how much they paid you--it's a terrible idea.
Further more, I don't use AOL for free. I'm one of your paying customers and I think I shouldn't be subject to that kind of blatant advertising anyway.
Posted at 4:49PM on Sep 26th 2007 by nstary1
231. I have been using AOL as my personal email account server. It is great BUT I am still missing a few options I had on my previous email provider (and Outlook). I mean specifically to the options of: Read Reply notification, and, scheduled delivery of emails (to send emails in a later date and time). Could this be incorporated later???
Posted at 8:28AM on Oct 3rd 2007 by Miguel Montalvo
232. Yes and I have been using aol for about two (2) years and I am very happy to let all know that I am well pleased in all. Jerry
Posted at 9:09PM on Oct 3rd 2007 by jervaug3
233. I can only say one worda:
Lawsuit
&
Yahoo!
Posted at 6:41PM on Oct 27th 2007 by lordnick14
234. HELP !!!!!!!!!!!!!! I JUST WANT MY OLD PAGE BACK
Posted at 7:45AM on Oct 28th 2007 by Ann
235. I do not like the washed out colors for my home page and I can't seem to change it back to the traditional dark blue which I've always liked and considered a hallmark of AOL. Please let me change it back!!!! Again, your new colors are not very friendly in my opinion.
Jeff
Posted at 11:02PM on Oct 28th 2007 by Pedpsy
236. Seriously, I have been having soooo many problems; for instance, it takes forever just to get it started. My computer has been running slower than it ever has, and I'm already so frustrated that I want my old page back. Unfortunately, I haven't figured out how to do that. If anyone has any info that might help, please let me know. TY
Posted at 4:16PM on Oct 30th 2007 by Ann
237. Half the time the mail is inacessible, the other half now there is some banner ad floating around that PREVENTS me from even logging in!!
Posted at 6:17PM on Nov 2nd 2007 by jsholle
238. I am writing again, to list a lot more problems besides sounds & no black tex to printer. Can't get rid of pop ups from AOL an The internet ? One is active update and many more. Then when I go into search, most of the articles I want to learn about I get notice that the page cannot be displayed. This happens a lot. I also get many freeze ups. While I am booting up on line . Really almost any time. I called around 11PM 10-31-07 Ref
#937634 it did not help. A lot of pages were printed from you no black tex showed up. It's what you told us, and what we're doing about it. By Lisa Edwards No tex ? I am 80 years old And my wife has alzheimer disease so I hope you can see where I don't need any more stress of which all these problems and still
some more that I can't even think of right now has caused me. I change the default to another printer so if you send another what we are doing about it? It will print the black tex from EMail or what ever . I hope you can resolve all these problems.I
hate to call again seeing that my hearing is so bad. Thank you. DW
Posted at 9:25PM on Nov 7th 2007 by dwdonjuan1
239. This is mind numbing, I can't get into e-mail. The only reason I go to AOL is e-mail. I couldn't give a crap about panels or colors or news all I want is my e-mail.....
Posted at 11:08AM on Nov 21st 2007 by egananap
240. I would like to create subfolders (INBOX, OUTBOX etc) in My folders (AIM e-mail IMAP)
Kostas
kfragos@netscape.net
Posted at 10:19AM on Nov 30th 2007 by kfragos