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Question: What is the default timeout for a question? It seems that homework help is typically one of those "I need this answer sometime tonight, before I have to turn it in." So, wouldn't it be wasting tutor time if the question is old and the asker is no longer interested?
Earlier quoted context omitted.
Thanks! Good to hear some positive feedback about the question posting process. Users have to confirm their email before the question goes live, any opinions on whether that is necessary?
You are protecting against spam right? Or why would you want this? You might try testing alternative question posting options and see which gets a high follow through. Obviously you want some way to protect against spam but by adding as little overhead as possible. You also have captchas in the registration - maybe it's enough.
But I can see that a few people sign up, post a question, but never click the link so their question never goes live. I may try removing the requirement to confirm emails...
Another general note -- as a tutor, I'd like some assurance that I will get paid for answering the question. This may lead to less questions, but significantly more answers. This obviously introduces quite a bit of complexity for the poster, but I think its necessary. You could potentially start people with a few pounds in their account that you finance to get things rolling (or, give people a few pounds when they sign up and add a credit card).
Next -- visual design -- I was impressed with your design, there are some nit-picky things to tweak, but overall it is visually appealing. -In safari, the sign in/register links at the top have the descender part of the g gets cut off (probably because the containing div is too short). -The font color in the "Post My Question", "View All Questions", "Answer Question/Make Bid", etc is a bit difficult to read. This one nags at me quite a bit because it makes the buttons look pixelated or something -- i'd fix this up right away. -Really like the visual representation of description of service -> ask a question call to action. looks great/leads the eye the way you want it to!
As others mentioned -- the about us could use some copy. Don't want to spend too much time on it, but it adds a lot of credibility (or rather, it takes a lot a way to see 1 line of text there).
I have to run here in a second, but one last thing -- you might want to think about requiring signup AFTER someone has answered the question (as you do with the asking of a question). Once someone has spent time answering a question they are more likely to sign up.
Wish I had some more time, but the site looks good, keep up the great work!
Good luck!
Looks pretty :) Question: What is the default timeout for a question? It seems that homework help is typically one of those "I need this answer sometime tonight, before I have to turn it in." So, wouldn't it be wasting tutor time if the question is old and the asker is no longer interested?
I definitely like the concept. My hang up is -- how is this different than mahalo answers? (more focused, sure, but the mahalo folks could answer these questions, no?) Doing something to verify the tutor's expertise might help with this (could be simple quizzes or something). Another general note -- as a tutor, I'd like some assurance that I will get paid for answering the question. This may lead to less questions, b…
a) I think it differentiates itself by being a targeted vertical, a "destination" to go for homework answers from tutors who are rated and can provide full and in depth answers. Mahalo answers doesnt really focus on anything.
b) The assurance of getting paid is a potential problem, I dont think theres any way of giving that assurance...
c) The buttons problem is definitely something that needs changing.
d) About us - yes, doesn't look professional!
e) The last issue, allowing people to signup after theyve typed an answer is a really good idea... I think however that it's going to be much harder to get people to post questions than getting them to answer them. I've had lots of tutors sign up, just not that many students...
- You have the page numbers and the "Finish" link. I instinctively clicked finish without looking, because I assumed a "next" and "previous" would be there. I think you should add those.
- Actually, the word "Finish" is a bit strange. Usually I think the word used is "Last"
- I think you should add a default expiration time or require one. Questions with 33 days left till they expire seems unrealistic to me.
But, just by looking at the homepage, It could be difficult for a NEW user to understand what's actually going on, especially pertaining to the description where you say "decide the price"
POST YOUR QUESTION
1. Type your question 2. Decide the price* 3. Choose the best answer
I'd also suggest that the tutors themselves be verified some way or the other, because anyone can claim to be an expert.
I really do like this, because you are trying to please TWO user groups; Users (students/'askers') and Tutors. That can always be a challenge.