As well as launching a new website we’ve also started 2010 with a revamp of our key products. Including textburst, the API, OMS, and email to SMS.
Beyond the visual
Over the past 6 months we’ve really got into User Interface design. We’ve gone beyond visual appearance to understand how our products are used and how we can help users get more out of them.
This revamp of textburst has led to an interface that is built around the most used functionality. We didn’t want to cram in tonnes of new but unused functionality. If we did that we’d create an unusable monster. We are all busy people these days and so simple interfaces help us quickly benefit from the tool we are using.
Oh, an on the visual appearance, we couldn’t help but apply some polish, it needed it!
Improvements
So what have we done?
The menu system is paired down to the key functions and logically structured. We’ve included a hot link to the send message page and tips on how to get the most from the product.
We’ve streamlined the Account Setting and Options to put the various features under logical headings that are easily understandable and configurable.
Uploading contacts in now streamlined and you can continue using the product while the upload processes.
Due to popular demand we no longer log you out after 20 minutes of inactivity. Once you have logged on in we’ll remember for up to 8 hours.
A significant difference is the elimination of a user guide. Instead we’ve included instructional micro-copy to guide users through the product. This is much a change in company ethos as an elimination of a user guide. This decision is about being honest with our self. Users don’t want to trawl through instruction books, they want something they can use instantly. The theory is, if you need a guide to get started on our products, then it’s us who’ve designed them wrong.
So if you see something you don’t understand, tell us, we’ll look at it and make it understandable.
More of an internal factor is that we’ve consolidated various web applications (Web SMS, Promobi, textburst) into a single product, still called textburst. With a single web application with harmonised price plans it’ll make support more consistent and upgrades both easier and offered to all users.
Grand designs
So as you’ll see this isn’t Changing Rooms slapping a quick coat of paint on. It’s more like Grand Designs building something for the future that goes beyond the visual appearance to consider how you use the end product.
We’re confident you’ll like it, so take a look around and let us know what you think?
I’m sure Kevin McCloud would be proud…. It’s a very exciting time to be working at Mediaburst and from the initial feedback I am getting from customer’s this morning they love the new design just as much as we do.
It’s great to see a company that’s already producing results so early in the New Year.
I’m loving those SMS pigeons on the new look website and it’s good to see all the major brands Mediaburst work with so clearly presented.
There must have been a lot of hard work from the planning, design, build and testing teams, to present such well thought out text messaging pages.
There just doesn’t seem to be any stopping Mediaburst. I’m looking forward to seeing what they do with the rest of the year, especially now all products are on their new platform!