Ask YC: Feedback on my community website

#1

Post by MrFantsyPants » Wed, Dec 03, 2008, 3:53 PM UTC

Ask YC: Feedback on my community website
villagetoolbox.com

Re: Ask YC: Feedback on my community website

#2

Post by MrFantsyPants » Wed, Dec 03, 2008, 3:57 PM UTC

I've been building this in my spare time for the last year or so. It's time to go into open beta, but I'd love to hear what the HN community thinks of it. (I know, you're probably not my target demographic, but, hey)

Re: Ask YC: Feedback on my community website

#3

Post by trickjarrett » Wed, Dec 03, 2008, 4:06 PM UTC

I don't have time to do an in depth review but here are my first two notes:

1) On the front page, you have text in a field I need to put text in. Instead of having me delete it, use some javascript to clear the field 'onfocus' you can find the code easily online, it'll make for a better user experience.

2) I entered my zip and up comes a map of my city. Now I'm lost. The map is blank. I'm assuming there will be markers when you have communities to show. But there's no obvious guidance as to what's going on now.

Re: Ask YC: Feedback on my community website

#4

Post by wesley » Wed, Dec 03, 2008, 4:31 PM UTC

This may be because I'm not logged in, but you don't show me any buttons to create a new community. Especially when there are zero communities in my area, such a link would be beneficial.

Re: Ask YC: Feedback on my community website

#5

Post by MrFantsyPants » Wed, Dec 03, 2008, 4:44 PM UTC

wesley wrote: post #4

This may be because I'm not logged in, but you don't show me any buttons to create a new community. Especially when there are zero communities in my area, such a link would be beneficial.

Good point. It's gotta be easy. Is it acceptable just explain that they need to create an account first, or would it be valuable to you if I allow creating an account and community on one form?

Re: Ask YC: Feedback on my community website

#6

Post by wastedbrains » Wed, Dec 03, 2008, 5:01 PM UTC

I feel it is almost part of my responcibility at this site to help review other start ups. So I try to check out all the feedback on X posts.

I just don't have a need for this one at the time but could see how it would be useful. So I just tried to look around and notice whatever I could.

* The find groups in this location should empty and be ready for you to type a zip after you click in it * If it finds no results (which it didn't for my location 80304) perhaps don't show an empty map but show a "sorry but here are our most active locations" Sometimes it is cool to look at locations I used to live or my family/friends live. * are there any example communities to look at? I tried zooming all the way out and couldn't find anything? Do you have to log in to see existing groups?

That is about all I could see for now since I couldn't get in further... nice clean design easy to follow and start searching for communities... Good luck

Re: Ask YC: Feedback on my community website

#7

Post by emmett » Wed, Dec 03, 2008, 5:14 PM UTC

MrFantsyPants wrote: post #5

wesley wrote: post #4

This may be because I'm not logged in, but you don't show me any buttons to create a new community. Especially when there are zero communities in my area, such a link would be beneficial.

Good point. It's gotta be easy. Is it acceptable just explain that they need to create an account first, or would it be valuable to you if I allow creating an account and community on one form?

The main point is there needs to be a big fat "Create a community" button on the front page, even if that leads you to a "First, create an account" screen.

Re: Ask YC: Feedback on my community website

#8

Post by alex_c » Wed, Dec 03, 2008, 5:20 PM UTC

A few very quick points:

- The front page doesn't feel "alive". It looks like a static page. You can show the newest communities, or how many people are using it, or anything you can think of to make the site look active and loved by many people. (it's also easy to overdo it and make a horribly busy front page... it's a fine balance).

- Related to the first point, consider using geolocation to show something relevant to users right away. It might not be accurate enough, or it might not be helpful until you have a lot of communities already, but I think it would be a great help if you can get it right.

- Could be because I'm not part of the target audience, but it seems a bit abstract. "Use VillageToolbox to help organize, strengthen and build your community. Creating an account and starting a new community is free, and opens a world of possibilities for you and your neighbours. Use the wiki as your homepage" is fairly abstract and doesn't actually tell me that much. "and for keeping track of community events. Tools are available for sharing skills, tools and finding sitters for your house, pets or kids." is better.

- Same as above, the sample community presents me with a lot of text, but nothing really gripping.

Re: Ask YC: Feedback on my community website

#9

Post by okeumeni » Wed, Dec 03, 2008, 5:51 PM UTC

I looked at the sample community and went: wow a village toolbox with no tools. I think you should spend more time thinking of tools for the community not just a message board and sending emails to people, something like ning does.

This bring me to the question, if you want to build a community site how are going to be different from ning, collectiveX? Is it worth the effort of trying to compete with these guys?

Re: Ask YC: Feedback on my community website

#10

Post by foulmouthboy » Wed, Dec 03, 2008, 5:54 PM UTC

You're suffering from a bit of a ghost town. I think more people would rather join and help build a community than be the first person to actually start a community.

Is there an existing community that's working the way you want it to? It might make more sense to start regionally and build from there a la Craigslist or Facebook.