Today I came across CollectiveX, a site for managing a group of people on the web. Interesting, I thought to myself. That’s pretty much what I’ve been looking for for a client who wants to manage their board members, various committees and all their associated meetings through a web interface. It sounds good, it sounds perfect.
I went through the CollectiveX tour and was impressed. Slick interface, simple to use and easy enough to get people over the suck stage and into the kicking ass (as Kathy Sierra puts it while talking about creating passionate users).
So I decided to sign up and try the darned thing. When I did, it felled over and I started noticing bad things.
Here are the 3 things I noticed, that I’ve also sent to them via their fancy feedback device in the footer:
- On the pricing page I had no clue how to sign up. The buttons are practically hidden. No difference is colour or shape from the rest of the design. They’re lost! I wanted to sing up and couldn’t.
- Go through your copy on the site carefully. On the pricing page the price for the entry-level premium package is $36. On the Create a Group Account page it tells me I’ve selected the $34 package. C’mon, folks. Get it straight! You’re asking for my credit card and you’re telling me two different prices.
- Um, make the sign up work. It no work for me (Mac, OS 10.4, Safari browser). I hit submit and get a cryptic error that looks like a custom 500 and tells me to go back and try again. It’s great that you’re sending an email to the development team, but if you’re out doing awareness work (as you must have been to come to my attention), then make the thing work.
So CollectiveX, you folks have a product I want to try but can’t get working. I’m ready to be a good client of yours. I’m trying. Please help yourselves. You’ll also be helping me.
