VOTE! - Meguiar.com Makeover!

[magnus]

With just a cursory glance, the new design is much more up-to-date. However, it is unfortunate that the web designer has not taken advantage of more web standards (CSS layout instead of tables, etc.)

I am also happy there is no longer a Flash-based online store. That never worked well, was cumbersome, and often didn't even list products.

• The main links on the left on the online store page should be made to do the CSS rollover in white like the other links on that page.
• There needs to be a standard size for the photos of the products. I saw a really large photo of a small bottle of Trim Detailer and Metal Polish, and a tiny photo of the Ultimate Bucket.
• The product photos are too closely cropped, and should not have a black border around them unless more white space is given. I would suggest that the table row with the product info. and photo should be white to match the photo. This would allow the photo border to be removed, and would help the end user (me) focus on the product, without having to search the page.
• Your Quick Shop and Search sections should either be listed at the top of the page (under the navigation section of course) or listed above the product category links on the left side. They are currently either getting lost or are an eye sore to the flow of the page.
• In looking at the Calendar of Events, it was not readily evident as to what was a link and what was not. As there is a lot of bolded text throughout the website, it was difficult to immediately notice that some of the events were links, and not just given extra attention due to Meguiar's sponsorship (for example, as I know Meguiar's is at most or all of these events). I would suggest using some CSS scripting to give the links a thin (one pixel) underline that can be shaded to match the font.
• Also remove the table border in the Calendar of Events. The table row shading is more than enough to highlight each event.
• In looking at your Specials page, it was again difficult to know that each of the products in the list was a link. There was no rollover effect, or underline to show that I could click on it. I had to move the cursor over the product list to have the hand appear.
• Also look at creating a pullout for the 'Don't want to buy online?' section. This will give better attention to this area, as well as not detract from the rest of the kit information.
• Also, please do not put the address in uppercase/all caps. This is considered shouting in the online world. I would also suggest formating the text to appear more like an address on an envelope:
  Name
  Address
  City, State, Zip+4
• Bentley Publishers is missing a graphic on your Automotice Links page.
• Also difficult to notice the different sections (Publicatins & E-zines) as the font is of similar size and color as the rest of the text. It just blends into the page. Also consider the uppercase text again.
• Your Dealer Locator search results should have the same table row color alternation as other places on the site, instead of having a table border.
• The secondary navigation at the bottom of the home page could use a bump in font size by a pixel or two. It's just small enough that I have to squint. Having the text be 'regular' and not 'oblique' or 'itaicized' would also make it easier to read.
• Remove the search box from the top of the home page. It makes a great design turn 'oakie'. I would suggest creating a pullout and placing it just above the secondary navigation.
• As several people on MOL are interested in the Detailer Line, please strongly consider having a choice as to what catalog(s) that the end user can request on your Catalog Request page.
• It has been a big no-no within the web design world for a while now to post a link to another page only to see a 'Under Construction' or 'Coming Soon' sign appear. If the Site Map isn't done, remove the link for it. A simple Find and Replace can not only remove it, but replace it when it is completed.

This all being said, Major props for stepping the website up a notch!

[another_geek]

1. product categories should stay expanded once selected

2. too many overlapping categories in the professional section make it difficult to find the product you are looking for. For example:

Final Inspection is found under Professional Products/Auto Appearance/Maintenance

but

Final Touch is found under Profession Products/Auto Detailing/Paint Care.

I think they should be lumped together into one category. Same thing for washes -- why do you need a wash category under both Auto Appearance and Auto Detailing?

3. product thumbnail images would be nice at the category level rather than having to drill into a product to see it.

4. Glad to finally see support for non-IE browsers (firefox and opera seem to work ok so far. Didn't in the old version)

[escape]

Originally posted by travisdecpn
The best part is that it is firefox friendly

And works with Safari too

[jfelbab]

Great improvement Mike, I'd like to see the Dealer Locator data cleaned up. For my zip there are duplications of the same company and about a quarter of the dealers listed are no longer in business.

I also like the fact that the site now works with Apple's Safari browser as I've completely switched to Macs. (Life is good... no more viruses, adware or constant patches)

I wonder if it might make sense to consider reorganization to display products by function and not product line. For example, when I look for a polish or LSP, I would like to see all Megs polishes or LSP's and not have to jump to and from Consumer, Professional, or Detailer lines for find what I want.

This might also be a good opportunity to upsell a consumer to a higher quality product. At any rate it would make it faster for me to generate an on-line order if it were laid out in a functional product listing.

Great job guys.

[Mike Phillips]

Originally posted by n1976jmk
in the detailer line, the wheel brightener is not listed?

It never has been, that's because it is a product that is especially important that it be diluted to the correct levels for proper use, as such you need to remember the Detailer Line is formulated and targeted for use by "Professionals", not enthusiasts and consumers. Professionals are supposed to be knowledgeable and experienced with the tools of their trade and also use these tools 5 and 6 days a week, year around.

Wheel Brightener is a great product but we want to make sure that it is used correctly and one way we can do this is to not make it easily available to just anyone that wants to order some. Pro's know how to find these types of product because that's their business.

[Mike Phillips]

Originally posted by magnus
This all being said, Major props for stepping the website up a notch!

Hi magnus,

You said a lot!

Thank you for taking your time to run through our new website and share your experienced eye with us. I can assure you we are listening, (actually reading), your comments and everyone's comments.

Thank you!

[magnus]

Originally posted by jfelbab
I also like the fact that the site now works with Apple's Safari browser as I've completely switched to Macs. (Life is good... no more viruses, adware or constant patches)

Awesome to see another Mac user in the group!

[Razor88]

I like the new look. This is the only thing I would like to see added.
3. product thumbnail images would be nice at the category level rather than having to drill into a product to see it.

[sdiffen]

new web site

I like the over all look and feel but...
If I am at the e-store and click on Consumer products then the sub catagory Auto Apearance Care a menu of car washes, Cleaners etc.. opens up.

I like this.. but at the next step if I click on Car washes the sub catagory of Auto Appearance care closes. So if I want to go to something else in that catgory such as cleaners or waxes I have to click on it again to open the Auto Appearance just to be able to then clcik on waxes.

I would prefer the subcatagory stay open.

Steve

[Teak]

I saw the site early today before coming to MOL and thought a cool a new page design to explorer. I really like the redesigned site as it is easier to navigate. From my limited visit, one thing I would like to see change is the collapsable menus should stay expanded so all the products may be viewed in the catagory. The menu could collapse when a new catagory is selected. Also, some of the new accessories were difficult to find, but wrote this of as being the redesign is a work in progress.


Eric

[geoff]

When I click on a product name in the expanded left menu, the product description appears, but the left menu collapses. I'm using Firefox. Not a big deal, but it would be nice if the left menu remained open at the current selection.

I like this new site a lot more than the old one

[STG]

Finally! The old site was horrible and not even close to the quality of Meguiar's products.

I couldn't stand the old site and refused to order through it, opting to buy over the phone.

[Ross Conradi]

Broken Product Links in MOL

I'm happy to announce that I've setup a set of 301 redirects for the product links that everyone's been finding broken.

I believe I have most if not all of them redirecting now to the equivalent page on the new meguiars.com site, but should anyone find a link that doesn't work please email me with the link at webmaster@meguiars.com!

Thanks all for the great feedback!

Ross Conradi
Webmaster
Meguiar's, Inc.

[the other pc]

Overall I like it but it will take some getting used to.

Having the circular logo as the home button is sort'a neat but I didn't find it intuitive. I got used to it but after being on any other websites I have to retrain myself not to look for a "normal" home button on the left when I come back.

The site search and product search functions are dissimilar. If for example I type "m-06" into the site search nothing comes back. It returns hits for M-0616 if I type either "m-0616" or "m-0664" but if I new the numbers that exactly I wouldn't be searching.

On the other hand, if I type "m-06" into the product search it comes back with hits for M-0616 and M-0664


PC.

[Ross Conradi]

Thanks for all the great input!

The site search is still very new, as time goes on I'll be refining it, in any event it was not meant to replace the product search but to complement it....the product search is still the most flexible means to search for products.

Ross