Brains or brawns? We think a bit of each is needed to create the perfect balance. However, even when you have both, looks still count! Well aware that you never get a second chance at making a first impression, we decided to send our home page for a complete makeover. No matter how good we are on the inside, you'll probably still judge us by our appearance - so we decided to whip our body back into shape.
A few instant beauty tweaks and many, many think-tanks and tests later we proudly present you with a significantly redesigned version of the GraphicMail home page - one of the top travel destinations in email marketing. Our first new home page focuses on email marketing – surprise, surprise!
As we actively promote targeted marketing, it was about time we put what we preach into practice by making targeted communication apparent on our home pages (and not just through the targeted newsletter and mobile marketing tools we offer you).
So, over the next two weeks, you'll see two more home versions: One geared at couch potato email marketing (“Get Started Quick”), and one targeting our successful Reseller business model.
What are the major changes?
Isn’t it annoying to try and find logins to various sites that you use? One has it top left, the other top right; some inside the side columns, some in your face and for some (as with Yahoo), it’s like looking for the proverbial needle in a haystack. Well, we’ve made our Member Login super visible - which means I don’t need to tell you where it is!
And let us be the first to ask: Hasn’t it been frustrating to try and find something specific on the old GraphicMail homepage, like case studies or a specific feature? It’s as easy as instant coffee now - simply add your keyword to our new search, click and enjoy.
Our previous navigational structure almost required a driver’s license. I've lost track of how many mice I’ve seen swerving and reversing through our navigational tabs and dropdowns, but now it’s all smooth cruising. Our new horizontal navigation has only two levels, so even if email marketing fatigue kicks in, you’ll still get to your destination safely and promptly.
We’ve been tweeting our news from the rooftops, we’ve been showing our face in The Book, but now it’s official that we are 100% committted to social network integrations – we’re shouting it out from our new footer! There'll be a few email marketing and social media integrations coming your way this year, so keep an eye on our blog, Twitter and Facebook announcements.
Judging by our test, people are excited about this new home page. They feel this meets their needs and is a fresh new look for GraphicMail.
We've designing the page around you... Tell us what you think.
NB:
Why the dominant blue and red in our homepage design? Well, fashionistas tell us that the key societal consumer trends in 2010 are “reinventing happiness”, “embracing Gaia” and “Age Shock”. The happiness colour for 2010 is Satisfaction – A creamy raspberry red, a sweet and inviting color that tempts us. Gaia is portrayed through Reflection – A transparent, liquid blue suggestive of water and how it reflects the sun’s rays as well as Jungle Passion – Deep, dark red, exotic and mysterious like a rare orchid or a precious ruby. And Age Shock’s blue? GRUPs (today’s grownups) are said to defy the aging process, measuring age solely by attitude towards life. So a fresh, young blue linked with the jeans culture represents “Jeanology”.
(This might all be a bit off the email marketing track, but we thought we had to throw this one in since we’re talking beauty, style and trends for 2010)
This was our old school look:
