A Site Review Of Ent Federal Credit Union By Monique Angelich of Devedia.com
While your navigation allows users to immediately visit any part of the site they are interested in, the links themselves are spread out and confusing.
(For a complete listing of reviews of this site, site links, and to read the site review criteria established by the site’s webmaster, visit the Ent Federal review page.)
If you create one main navigation bar, either along the top or left of the screen list out the links rather than using DHTML. Finances intimidate most people, and that natural nervousness combined with a visually active site are going to deter users from your website.
To answer your questions in order: I would rate your navigation fairly low. It is quite complex, and confusing, though it is fairly organized, with the exception of the kids area, all links are named clearly and concisely.
Your website content is very well written, though it lacks the personal touch that you might be looking for. For a credit union that is “YOUR credit union” the ton of the text gives a distant impression.
Your cross linking is effectively being implemented, but the links at the left are small text links, and don’t beg to be clicked to explore the website. The text is so small and tight that the menus are difficult to read.
The same can be said of your DHTML menus, the colors need to be contrasted so the wording can be easily read. The DHTML seperator lines (lines in between links) are a HUGE help for people wearing glasses or with less than perfect eyesight.
A technique you do not use, but is very effective are the use of Ad boxes or ‘did you know’ areas that highlight a different service/loan etc. that you offer from within the content area of the pages. Many times they are graphical buttons, with an appealing/attention getting shape that users will see and click.
Your home page: This is your biggest issue for your website from my perspective. While most users still see the internet at 800X600 pixels, your home page doesn’t expand to fill any other size screen, losing a LOT of screen real estate. The content seems clutterred and thrown together in a haphazard manner, and does not reflect the organization and presentation found in the secondary pages.
The product advertisements are so large in comparison to other items on the screen that your home page gives the impression of a sales site, rather than a financial institution. They are the first thing I notice, rather than your links, bank name, etc. While that is great if you are amazon and selling these items is your main focus of your business, this method doesn’t work as well for a credit union.
In summary, try to keep in focus throughout your website and on the home page that you are a credit union, a bank. You offer a vast variety of services, a one-stop-shop type of idea, but everything else on your site, including these ads on the home page are secondary, add-ons you offer just for your members. Almost like giving them little presents (smile)
Work on navigation readability and organization, try to get rid of the DHTML if possible, and add links to other sections of the site at the top of each content page – link | link | link etc.
Once you do that, you should find more users will get past your home page and start digging into your content pages.
I hope that helped!
Monique Angelich
Monique Angelich is a successful freelance Internet Programmer, Software
Engineer, and Web Designer specializing in helping companies use the
Internet as their portal to success. You can visit the Devedia family of
websites at http://www.devedia.com. Email Monique directly at dev@devedia.com.
