Chester Zoo has a redesigned website. Chester Zoo | Zoos in England | Chester Zoo UK The content is pretty much the same, the layout is basically the same, but it now carries the 2011 branding.
I had to vote 'Hate it', because there's no 'don't like and worse than before'. Hate's a strong word, I'm sure I don't care enough to hate it. Its just that silly font I'm afraid. As chaotic and unprofessional looking as the printed literature.
I'm still waiting for a "My Chester Zoo" or similar login from the front page (or at least easily accessible) to track memberships and adoptions, and although the password change feature at least now doesn't screw up the page so that you can't click on the fields, it still complains that my old password has been typed in wrongly so I can't change it from the "temporary" one I was assigned yonks ago when I first registered. As for the rest, I find it messy and hard to navigate, plus with things like red birds of paradise still listed, it's not exactly being kept up to date. I'd like much more information about species kept, not just a select few. For example, there are only 3 passerines listed out of goodness knows how many, and one of those isn't even there anymore!
I really like it. It's friendly I tried a few general enquiries: opening times, how to get there, prices, experiences, that I look at When I look at new places website before I visit it. It was easy to navigate and to d what I was looking for. I did think the same as orange person that it doesn't seem long since the last revamp. I suppose the effectiveness depends on the target audience. I approached it as a new visitor and it fine.
The website is not the greatest, and for an overseas zoo fan I found it chaotic and a bit disorganized compared to many other zoological sites. What is truly horrific, to the point of frustration even for someone who has never visited the zoo, is the new map. Yikes! It looks as if an 8 year-old drew it, with squiggly writing and childish animal icons. I personally adore zoo maps and I've collected almost 500 of them from all over the world, but Chester's must be one of the all-time worst that I have seen. I just spent a good 10 minutes glancing over it and while I was not a huge fan of the map in its previous incarnation this relatively new one is just horrendous. It lacks professionalism and comes across as amateurish, which is shocking for the United Kingdom's #1 zoo.
come on people, it's easy for people to navigate who are not regulars at the zoo or on the site. Everything is much easier to find, and I personally like the font it's cute do wish they would bring back the Ark logo though. on the down side the animal info is wrong, the map is wrong and the pics are blurry and poor quality. I agree with Maisie as to animal info, so much missing off there like new additions Aardvarks and Anteaters
We were told at the AGM that a members' section was coming soon, and it would also give additional information on zoo events and activities. The AGM three years ago... Isn't it pretty much the same in that regard? The primary, secondary, header and footer navigation is all in the same place and has the same content.
It's better than before, although we must remember adults are not really the main aim for a zoo's website kids are. The map is really letting the site down, it takes to long to load for what it is. A small .jpg should not take 30 seconds to load on a 18mb connection. It also doesn't work in Firefox for me, haven't had a look at it in Safari yet. Navigation seems about the same. Not really fussed about the web site as it's not something I really visit, apart from occasionally checking the Giraffe Cam. It does seem very odd to have such a full redesign not so long after the blob disaster of the right yellow.
At least those daft colourful blobs with eyes and arms are gone, they where ridiculous. Having had a look at it, if the font was changed to something more professional then the website would be an improvement from before in my opinion. First impressions are that it is a website aimed at young children, then as you look a little bit deeper you see articles about conservation and information about the zoo’s breeding programs of different animals. This information is welcomed on a website, but somewhat undermined by the impractical churlish font. Visit the homepage of the first 2 or 3 UK zoos that pop into your mind and I would be surprised if they had scrawley, tangled up font like that as the first thing you read!
They spend a fortune on redesign every 12 months, yet don't take the care to get quality photographs. They should get some of the members here to supply them with photographs. SMR, Gentle Lemur and a few others have shown far better photographs on here, than those on the website.
The map is being updated 'now' so a new map is expected 'soon' both electronically and paper version at the gate. The interactive map is a work in progress and more info and improved images will happen in the coming weks/months - however long it takes to get the info etc. I've had a few conversations now with the marketing people who are doing this following some browser compatibility issues and I've admitted that although I still don't like the new font and I miss the Ark logo as I believe that although it wasn't particularly old (belive it was adopted some time in the 1980's) I felt it gave the zoo an identity and it would obviously look so much better on merchandise such as badges, keyrings etc... But my dislike of the font notwithstanding the new website is an improvement over the old one. It's easier to navigate and a bit more logical in where things happen. Approaching the site both as a member of the public might (looking for opening times, prices, info on feeds etc) and also as a member (looking for info on members days and talks) the info was easier to find, that is why it's better. As long as the map and images are not too long a work in progress and the current incompatibility with certain browsers issues are sorted then ovrall I feel the redesign could be called a success.
[QUOTE The Ark logo came into use in 1996 Your not the only one who would like to see it returned to it's rightful place...[/QUOTE] Oh wow it's even younger than I thought!! The wooden model on the roundabout on the way in looks so cool - how could they ditch the ark
No professional would publish a work in progress. If the map and the photographs are not ready, it should not have gone live. You should never put a half finished product on the web, when it is your main advertising tool. That is poor testing and thinking on the zoos part. By rushing out a new unfinished site is admitting that its previous incarnation ws not good enough. I don't mind the font, it looks a little silly, however it is far better than the yellow mess from before.
In my opinion the new site is better than the previous one, however it is nowhere near the standard I think it should be for a Zoo like Chester.... I may stand alone in that I love the new branding of the Zoo!! I think the new Chester font which has been designed is fun and dynamic appropriately reflects the Zoo's ever changing and progressive attitude. I think the features on the site (as they were on the old one) are all great. However, they don't go far enough. E.g. the animal exhibits info is so basic and includes very little info at all about the exhibits - more photo's of a better quality are a must and although there are a few videos there should be loads more. Other Zoo sites often have a video for every key exhibit. A lot of the info is outdated too, which seems crazy to me?!! I wonder if someone from the Zoo would like one of us to list all the errors and send them a full report?! 'could do better' i think........
