Your Shot

The Weekend Update

Some this won't be as funny as the SNL version but hey here goes. If there is one thing that has become clear is that we all have our own preferences. The lens page is the perfect example. Some like the new groupings while others prefer the old listing style. As mentioned in an earlier post we're developing some alternative views for that page to account for the various style preferences. Look for that in a couple of weeks.

Also, some comments about the accessory images. In an effort to get the site live we used a generic accessory shot for a couple dozen of the hundred accessories that we make available. We're also working on reshooting those to be specific to the product. So those will start to roll out soon.

The homepage experience is getting a fresh update in the coming weeks as mentioned previously. We're going to reduce the flash animation to get to the end state quicker, which ultimately means faster loading times.

We're also starting the production of a couple dozen technology demonstrations to give visitors a better understanding of how Nikon products take the best pictures possible. We have our list that we are starting with but if there are topics or technology that you would like to see demonstrations on here is your shot....

Product Info

Apologies for the delayed post but have been traveling and thus off the 'grid' for a week. Now back behind the wheel. There's been some discussion around wanting more info about products directly on the respective product pages. We've tried to consolidate info / links as best we can so let's hear your thoughts and ideas about what specific information you would like to see on the product pages...

Sharing your insight with our development team

We’re now finished with our global meetings as well as a two day summit with our web development team in the US. These meetings were all about what we need to do in the short-term to improve the new site experience as well as in the longer term to drive competitive advantage. And this blog was incredibly helpful in that discussion.

Our team is now focusing on some short-term fixes such as speeding up the image experience on the home page. This has always been part of the plan but the strong comments coming into the blog have elevated the priority of that change so thanks for the input.

After discussing the comments focused on the flash opening, there was some significant debate as to whether the main navigation was clear enough for those who had issue with loading of the site. Were visitors looking for core product information not going directly into the product area? Was the Find Your Nikon naming in the navigation not clear enough to direct visitors? Did we over think the naming of the product area? What are your thoughts?

Live from Tokyo it’s Monday Night…

Well it’s Monday night somewhere. We’re coming to you live from the headquarters of Nikon Corporation – Tokyo, Japan. We have a global internet meeting where we’ll discuss a number of topics including our new website in the US.

Speaking of which, a lot of comments so far – on and off line – have been about the homepage experience. The overall site design and architecture was built around the needs and wants of various user segments. While the main navigation and search tool provide an immediate pathway for those interested in getting to product content quickly, the intent of the homepage filter (which really needs a name in my opinion – Fred is not an option) is to provide a tool for those users that want to explore imagery.

Over time, the plan is to start weaving in educational and editorial content into that image detail bar that accompanies every image. For example there is a picture of a young boy making a key save during a soccer game. You might be diving into that picture because it is the type of shot you want to capture of your son’s soccer game. There is an opportunity to serve up an education based article by someone like Dave Black or Mike Corrado talking about how to get better sports pictures of your kids.

We’ll also look to add other filters based on your feedback. For example images using specific Nikon technology like Vibration Reduction or Face Priority AF, Nikon’s face-finding technology. Or by lens type. And we’ll definitely be integrated the COOLPIX cameras into that tool as well. So let us know what ideas you have on that front.

Comments on Comments

Some really good points so far so keep ‘em coming. There were a couple of comments through the blog and the general feedback form on the site about the lens landing page. Kurt posted a comment that he preferred the old lens page that listed all the lenses instead of the new one that is categorized. This is a really good insight and something we’re going to look at. Should be easy enough to provide the option to view by category or view an entire list. Good call Kurt.

We also had some comments that we didn’t publish since we want to keep this focused on the website itself. Those comments were regarding Capture NX, Firmware downloads and the like. For questions about products / services please visit the Nikon Knowledge Database

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