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Ramblings on the new site

3rd May 2016
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It is obvious Sift's team has put in all hours available to make a new site a success. But what about the users? Did it lose sight of its loyal users?  

I posted my response on cheeky chappy's thread. It was my very first reaction to the site. My view has not changed. I wish it had. 

TBH, I am shocked it is based on the American site. I understand, Sift wants a consistent brand message.  I wonder what was the users response on the US site. Having had a look a the US site, I did not notice such loyalty from it users as the UK site. 

There have to be other reasons, aside from brand consistency, that Sift took the direction it did. Maybe for the long term, this is the direction forums are going? Is it me who is behind the times? I do not think so.

I do not understand, a site that is meant for the well read and well educated would go for the look and feel that demeans the intelligence of its readers. Further, there is a culture difference between us and our American cousins. 

This culture difference should be respected and the site should reflect the tastes and intelligence of its readership. I have to say this Sift, in my opinion, you have has failed here. 

The launch hiccups are understandable. Improving these, will not change the new ethos of the site. It will still, in the main, will look as it is now. That is a real shame.  

The site due to its early mover advantages and also site owners sheer hard work has built a loyal and active following. It is the membership that gives Sift real clout. Further, compared to tone on the American site, it is clear that the UK site is not hungry for members anymore. This does give it a lot of power. I speak as an ex-exiled member. I was and am so pleased that I was allowed back in. 

The site is too valuable for me not to access it on a daily basis. I am sure, a large number of members have a similar view. I have to find a way to get used to the new site and learn to live with it.

Sift, wrong move this time, on this major issue but I do not have any real alternatives. So, I will remain your loyal and obedient member.  

Replies (4)

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Tornado
By Tornado
04th May 2016 12:14

Why is everything so big? For a site aimed at serious professional users, it seems very 'Toy Town' to me with lots of pictures to click on and loads of unused white space. I guess I am just old fashioned.

Thanks (1)
Routemaster image
By tom123
04th May 2016 18:16

I think we will get used to the change. On the whole the feel is more contemporary.

A bit of the indviduality is lost at the moment - I hope that will creep back.

On the whole I am keeping an open mind at present - although it is suprising how much one gets attached to what is basically someone elses website.

Thanks (1)
By petersaxton
08th May 2016 17:32

I used the site because I could get a lot from it. It was easy to use and looked as if it was easy to find what was going on. Now it is a struggle to use. I don't suppose that matters to the staff at AccountingWeb because they didn't use the site in the same way as accountants did. I have notice that a lot of people are not using the site as much as before. I haven't seen one post from Paul Scholes. The site seems to be aimed at non-accountants asking for help from accountants. Accountants seem to prefer a site that is easy to read and easy to use. AccountingWeb prefer a site that is hard to read and hard to use. I wonder what made them think this was a good idea.

Thanks (1)
Replying to petersaxton:
By petersaxton
08th May 2016 17:35

I'd love to edit my post but I can't be bothered using the stupid inefficient brainless way AccountingWeb want you to edit your posts. The lunatics have really taken over the asylum.

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