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Greetings Reviewers...
Thank you to all who have volunteered to do website reviews!
Here is the news about changes to the review program:
1. Web Review Task Force Report
__ We have had about 1,000% more review requests than
we have a) time
to process, and b) response from reviewers.
As the program progresses we are swamped with review requests, and find we're spending
much too much time putting together the teams and tasks, with little or no response.
(Mostly "no" response.)
You know we've maintained a spam-free site, and therefore have not had the financial
resource to staff the program the way it should be staffed. However it does have
reader and participant value so, it needs revamping for efficiency.
Additionally, 99% of the sites submitted are from web designers and page layout people
(pagecrafters) looking for hits and potential clients. They see this as a way to
get exposure for themselves.
We cannot clog the system with self-promotion sites short-changing the real readership
and companies who sincerely want their sites to be improved by our work.
We are seeing good response from the reviews, and in a number of cases we have seen
site improvements implemented as a result of the review. This is what the program
is all about.
So, some changes are being made to improve and streamline the review process. We
hope to see you participating.
2. Response from Reviewers
__ Some of you responded and took the challenge seriously.
For that we thank you, and the readers thank you -- your input was incorporated into
the reviews.
__ However, there were so few who actually participated
(out of nearly 1,000 requesting to be on the review panel) we found the 'front-end'
work not justifying the end results.
We want to make it
a) easier on you
b) easier on us, and
c) more beneficial to the reviews.
3. New Web Design Review Procedure
__ From this point on, rather than processing the
reviews and teaming members for the reviews, we open the floor to your participation.
YOU decide which sites to comment on, or to even comment at all.
__ We believe this system will identify serious participants
and help purge those who are not so serious.
- The last week of each month a new "REVIEWS" page
will be posted http://www.graphic-design.com/WEB/request/default.html
- This page will contain the sites that have completed the site profile form and
are currently on deck for review
- Visit as many as you like, and if you find
site(s) that you particularly wish to comment on -- go for it.
- Open a second browser window to visit the
site being reviewed.
- As you make comments, or points, post them
to the "Comments" form field of the REVIEW/URL form at: http://www.graphic-design.com/WEB/request/WebURL.html
- We have found that if reviewers don't make comments while they're actually in
the site, they seldom get around to doing it later
When you submit your comments/review
to http://www.graphic-design.com/WEB/request/WebURL.html
- Use your active email address (that becomes your ID)
- "NAME" field put "REVIEW of: site name"
- "Suggest A URL" field put the URL
- "Comments" field put your review. (It will accept as much as you write!)
This procedure will identify you as a reviewer and separate you from the surfers
requesting site reviews.
__ It will also help facilitate YOUR participation with
the automatic form. You won't have to worry about doing it later, of course, unless
you become inspired toward a fuller review.
__ We shall then communicate with you with questions,
comments if necessary.
... If you would like to see the client's site profile, just
ask
Serious Reviewers who get involved
and participate
We want to reward you for your work, dedication and loyalty. You will be identified,
and contacted for a 'vanity' page in the WebDesign website, credited with the review
participation if you so desire.
__ This 'vanity' page can contain graphics, logos, examples
of your work, etc.
You will automatically be inducted into our creative directory for referrals, if
you so desire. No fee assessed.
Creative Directory??? Fees???
What's this all about???
__ We have ongoing requests from all over the world
from businesses
wishing us to design their website, or for us to recommend a designer
in their local.
__ As you must imagine, this is a very risky situation.
We've already been burned twice recommending faulty designers to these inquiries.
__ In order to avoid embarrassing ourselves, we are
establishing a "Creative Directory" of talent we feel comfortable in recommending.
This program will "certify" designers' work, and rank them so that we can
make recommendations where appropriate.
__ Yes. This will carry a fee. It will take revenue
to both process the entries, and market/promote the Directory. (Which will be distributed
to Art Directors, Webmasters, Creative Buyers, and Ad Agency resource teams.)
__
__ Your participation in the review program (through
performance) will allow us to get to know you and become familiar with your capabilities
and design philosophies.
We wish you well in all that
you do...
__
__ If you are one of the ones who will excel in this
challenge we look forward to working with you, and look forward to your incoming
reviews/comments about our monthly review sites.
__ If you do not want to be involved with any of this,
then simply do nothing. You will not be contacted again. After today's mailing, this
list has been deleted.
Kind regards,
Jennifer Robertson, Administrative
Assistant
WebDesign & Review
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