Pelican Parts WebSite Redesign Coming Soon -> Your Input is Welcomed...

[Wayne 962]

Hi folks. The design of the main Pelican Site, is, well, dated at best. We are going to be (actually just me) redesigning the site in Feb/March or so. I am looking for suggestions. Currently on the table are:

- Redesigned search engine that will incorporate the catalog, tech info, and BBS. Currently, is a mismatch of stuff that doesn't work well together. We're going to be using the same search engine algorithm developed on DriveWerks (search will return results in multiple categories). This will be a major improvement

- Catalog will be streamlined, and we will eliminate frames. We're not getting the search engine results we need from the frames problem. The format we used for DW has tested very well, and we will be adapting something similar.

- Tech Content - better organization and the addition of a whole bunch of stuff that has been sitting in my inbox for quite awhile.

- New products. Just hired Eugene (911SC owner) who will be working on new products and improving the layout of the old one.

- Site Design. Look for something more streamlined like the current DW site, with tabs at the top for each car (911, 914, etc.). Also better flowing pages, etc. and more links to the catalog from tech articles.

- Wizards. 2004 is set to be the year of the wizard - it's going to be a major push for us. We'll have brake wizards, suspension wizards, etc. Also look for more performance parts too.

Any further suggestions?

-Wayne

[slakjaw]

sounds good to me

but please leave the fourms the way they are

[sscates]

Wayne,
The problems you have already addressed in your message are right on with what I have seen with the current site. Sounds like you've already had some good input on this subject.

[masraum]

Sounds like you are already addressing everything.

The main problem that I have always had was finding stuff. The main catalog page with the sections after I select my year range is pretty good, but seemed incomplete or not 100% consistent, but I have never been able to find anything that I needed with the "parts index". My problems have pretty much been solved by the Porsche # to your number search. Can you place that more prominently?

All in all it's a great site. I prefer it to the new PP site, their new site is horrible, fortunately I don't have to ever go back there.

Can't wait, Wayne, I'm sure you are going to make a great site even better.

[Wayne 962]

"but I have never been able to find anything that I needed with the "parts index". "

The Parts Index was an ill-conceived idea from about four years ago that never quite worked too well. It will be phased out with the new search engine. I realize that searching is of top importance - that is why I spent a long time working on the one for DriveWerks. The DriveWerks site was designed to test a bunch of theories before we applied it to our flagship site, Pelican.

One more thing - DriveWerks is image-heavy. We plan to keep Pelican fast and to-the-point by not loading it down with useless images. Some sections will be image-concious (like the boutique-type stuff), but for the most part, we'll stick with the text-format. It will be clearer though.

-Wayne

[onewhippedpuppy]

Other than the search function, sounds like you'll simply be improving an already good thing. And more tech is always a good thing!

[Wayne 962]

Also, we'll have a 'your car' type input so that the site will remember exactly what you have and your preferences (if you want it to). Similar again, to what is on DriveWerks...

We're also going to be rolling out improved shipping for 2004. This will mean free upgrades for East coasters to 3-day shipping, lower prices on most ground items, and much better rates on next-day and 2nd-day shipping. In addition, we'll be combining our expected ship date calculator with an expected delivery time calculator, so you can more accurately estimate when you will receive your order.

-Wayne

[Wayne 962]

Oh, the search function will also allow you to search only particular areas. Like:

Search for "master cylinder"
in

911 (1974-89) and 911 (1990-98)

Etc.

-Wayne

[rsr808]

How about a design contest for a small prize?

I think there are a bunch of us designer/Photochoppers who belong to the board and might have some time for a little friendly competition.

[Moses]

Originally posted by Wayne at Pelican Parts
Hi folks. The design of the main Pelican Site, is, well, dated at best. We are going to be (actually just me) redesigning the site in Feb/March or so. I am looking for suggestions...
-Wayne

Suggestions? Don't change anything. I hate change. Took me long enough to get used to the place the way it is. And stop the new member drive. All these youngsters with 10 or 15 posts. Very disturbing. Change is bad. It's like coming home and someone has rearranged the furniture... Oh, go ahead Wayne. Change the damn website. I'll probably stub my toe in the dark around here for a while, but if it makes you feel better...

[jyl]

It is really helpful to have links to pics of parts - not every last nut and bolt, but anything that has two oft-confused versions or where the written description might be unclear.

[makaio]

Originally posted by Wayne at Pelican Parts
Also, we'll have a 'your car' type input so that the site will remember exactly what you have and your preferences (if you want it to).

Will you make it so that you can have multiple cars in there?

Maybe a wish list for each car too.

I think your ideas are great though. You'll only being improving a great thing.

[Wayne 962]

Originally posted by makaio
Will you make it so that you can have multiple cars in there?

Absolutely - DriveWerks already has this capability built-in...

-Wayne

[aigel]

My vote goes to more pictures of parts too. Not in the listing, but just as you have it now, most the time as a link. It really helps the DIYer.

George

[surflvr911sc]

This might be a stretch but…

In addition to “your cars” can there be different engine combos? There are so many cars w/ engine swaps; 73T w/ 3.2, 76 w/ 3.0, 81SC w/ 3.6, etc.

Just an idea.

[scottb]

In addition to “your cars” can there be different engine combos? There are so many cars w/ engine swaps; 73T w/ 3.2, 76 w/ 3.0, 81SC w/ 3.6, etc.

How about feature that allows someone to search simply by engine size? (Size matters, after all. )

[aigel]

I think looking for engine converted cars in an online catalog is asking for a bit much and may do more harm than good. If you can do such a conversion, you can do the more involved lookup of the correct parts. There is may different ways to skin the cat if you do a custom job. Only you know which year what is on there! It comes with owning such an animal: I once had a truck that I needed to run 4 different trucks for on the parts websites to buy a half way decent set of tuneup parts.

George

[surflvr911sc]

I absolutely agree George, but I thought I’d suggest it since there are so many conversion cars around here. I usually know what I need and where to find it and even if Wayne did take the time to do this it couldn’t address the gray areas of every conversion.

[aigel]

Ryan:

I hear you. You know, It's just these people with their stock 3.0 that worry the 3.6ers will get ahead of them, even in the catalog.

CHEERS!

George

Originally posted by Moses
Suggestions? Don't change anything. I hate change. Took me long enough to get used to the place the way it is.

Change is bad. It's like coming home and someone has rearranged the furniture... Oh, go ahead Wayne. Change the damn website. I'll probably stub my toe in the dark around here for a while, but if it makes you feel better...

LOL I feel the same way, hate it when one of my regular homepages is changed. Watch out for broken toes in the near future