What do you expect from a site that attempts to sell you something? To make your life easier, right?
In 2008, there is so much usability research out there, so much technology out there – all to make users’ lives a little bit easier, simpler, faster. That is, until you enter the way-back machine, web edition and go to Expedia.com.
Yes, they are a web site. That newfangled ‘channel’. They are going to kick travel agents’ asses. Yup. Until you try to actually buy the travel service. Case in point: had to reserve 3 hotel rooms in NYC for a business trip. You go to Expedia, and instead of doing something challenging like, asking you to put the names of the 3 travelers, you have to go through the following ordeal:
1. Screen one: we need the names of your travelers.
2. Screen two: Enter the name of the first traveler.
3. Screen one: we need the names of your travelers (first traveler reflected).
4. Screen two: Enter the name of the second traveler.
5. Screen one: we need the names of your travelers (first, second travelers reflected).
6. Screen two: Enter the name of the third traveler.
7. Screen one: These are the names of your travelers.
Ajax anyone? Flash? just putting three boxes asking for the names of the travelers *on one page*? too difficult if you are Expedia.
Second case: BestBuy. The site is the online version of the evil malicious moron who tries to upsell you on electronics you have not researched about and do not need. Just that they do not upsell, that clicking the back button pops up the “you just submitted a form by POST method” when all you did is clicked on a link. 2008? Apparently not at the HQ of the #1 electronics retailer in the USA. They have great HR policies, but a crap website. I DO love the Circuit City website because it IS trying to do interesting things, and works much faster, clearer, better, you name it.
So yeah – boo too you Expedia, Best Buy. Your websites just suck.
