New Website for the Over 55's

Golden Ireland

Hi
I recently set up a new website for the over 55's market: www.goldenireland.ie
I want to redesign the homepage as I think it looks quite static so would welcome any ideas. Also the target audience for the site is quite small so if anybody has any inspirational ideas on how to reach out to them, it would be much appreciated as would any feedback in general.
Thanks a million:)

fishy21

Site looks great, but I would even make it more basic so that users find it easier understanding. There are alot of computer courses around the country for over 55s which cover the internet. So if you were to contact these schools/collages and maybe the info could be passed on.

FusionNet

gees Im glad Im not 54.....!!!!

Site looks good though fair play..

iMax

Site looks great , but the first thing that jumped out at me was the colour of their hair... everyone's silver (shoulda called it silver ireland). Not everyone over 55 has grey hair... Seems like a small thing but like I aid, it jumped out at me (I'm 40 & if anything my hair's getting darker with age). Good luck with it.

Maybe get in touch with Ireland AM & get it out there

Golden Ireland

Thanks a mill for the feedback
Take it on board about the grey hair. I think in general people in this age bracket don't like being categorized as being 'old' or 'older' so the images may not appeal. Already in the pipeline to change them. Had thought about contacting the schools/colleges - thanks for that.

Lorelei

DEAD RIGHT, at 58 I do not count myself as being old, Most offended!!!
Seriously, I like the site, the grey haired comment not sure about its relevance as most males in my age group would love to have loads of grey hair rather than the present absence, and as we all know the ladies don't get older than 50.
I rather think the comment about computer literacy is untrue most between 55 and 65wil have worked with computers. My father is 87 and worked with computers in his office (golf club secretary) in 1982, albeit without windows or a mouse.
Special offers to the age group yes, I will be contacting you more.

Contacting the group parish/church magazines, local residential and business groups who distribute newletters. look at social clubs more often than not the age group represented is 45 +. Golf, Tennis. bowls clubs. Retirement homes, you may be suprised how lively some of the residents are and they are not all poverty stricken. In fact most are lively and fairly well off.

Check with insurance companies who provide pensions would they be willing to send your details in letters/newletters to their clients.
Just some ideas and before anyone jumps down my neck the remarks about age were meant to be a joke.

Golden Ireland

Thanks very much for the feedback and suggestions. Wouldn't dream of jumping down your throat over those comments - thought they were quite funny actually!

Tomthepost

Only think I could be critical of is the irony of the size of the text that allows you to enlarge or decrease the size of the font on the site.
Other then that this is a fantastic idea. My mother hit the 70 mark this year and after doing an internet/mobile texting course you can't get her away from buying stuff online yet she would never have had the confidence to do so before.
Your site has huge huge potential. PM me if you wish to discuss a few ideas.

tricky D

Nice look and feel.

A few comments more on usability/content than anything else.

Much of the colouring uses washed out colours which are not suited to your target audience. Many of your users will have issues with poor eyesight and ~10% of males will have some form of colourblindness, so you have to up the contrast much more. The white on grey tabs and BA8C55 heading colour need more contrast. Some of the links in text don't stand out. E.g. the 2 'click here' links in the Latest News and Your Entitlements are hard to make out for people with vision issues. Consider making them darker and/or using them underlined. Links were designed originally as underlined for a good reason.

Pages are a bit thin at ~820pixels. You can safely go to 990 pixels.

Tables are used too much for layout which will add much more overhead when making future changes. Use css for layout.

I'd try to get more of the text content further up on the homepage and also redo the text to make it more list like (scannable/readable) perhaps with some small graphic element. Get the Golden Deals and Special Offers above the fold.

Link the logo to homepage on all pages.

Try to use click here as link text less. Use something more relevant.

Spruce up the forms and don't use tables to lay them out.

Give reasons for signing up before the form.

Logon doesn't need a dedicated page, there's plenty of room to do it in the top right hand corner.

URL's use id's when they should be more semantic. E.g. 'hotels~id~100562.htm' would be better as 'leinster-annebrook-house-hotel.htm'.

© 2009 Golden Ireland is for last year.

Only 2 links on the Links page.

Get a favicon.


hth and good luck

MrFrankie

I have been on to your site before and after the facelift and i think you have done a great job of breathing a little life into it. I like the travel story bit too

byrne0f56789

Site looks good. A blog covering over 55 issues might compliment your site well.

Cianos

You should make the default text much bigger.

Golden Ireland

Thank you very much for all the feedback - very encouraging and helpful.
There is actually a blog on the way - problem is getting content for it. Maybe it's my target audience but there is a real reluctance to comment/submit content on anything - has anybody else experienced this?
I think the website is improving but it has a bit to go yet.

Thanks again!