http://www.comcast.com – May 9, 2006
http://www.comcast.com/default.html - May 9, 2006
Issue 1
Homepage Flash
When it comes to the homepage, the extraordinary amount of flash here (including a TV show clip) makes the page exceedingly slow to load on anything but a high speed connection.
Even with a fast connection, the flash is distracting.
http://www.comcast.com/default.html -- May 9, 2006
Issue 2
Picture Links
There are three picture links on the homepage. Unfortunately, none of these act as links either on the image itself or the text on the banner.
This is inconsistent as the rotating images above are clickable links, as expected.
http://www.comcast.com/default.html -- May 9, 2006
Issue 3
Duplicate Page Navigation
The ‘Support and Service’ link at the head of the page and the ‘Customer Support Center’ link at the foot of the page are actually links to the same page.
Duplicate links should be avoided and consistency applied to page names.
http://www.comcast.com/Products/?LinkID=43 -- May 9, 2006
Issue 4
Search Function
The search field only allows ten characters to be viewed at one time, limiting what a user can see without the need to scroll back and forth.
With all the available real estate in the top banner, where the search box is located, it would be easy to widen the field to enhance the function.
http://www.comcast.com/productdemo/?LinkID=102 -- May 9, 2006
Issue 5
Dead End Page
Most pages keep the Comcast logo in the top left, where it should be and it remains a link home. Unfortunately, this rule is broken on the ‘Product Demonstration’ page where the logo is relocated in a different place, with a different color and is no longer a link home.
Apart from the back button, this page offers no clickable link to the Homepage unless you waste time navigating the site map.
https://www.comcast.com/ Membership/Login.ashx - http://www.comcast.com/default.html -- May 9, 2006
Issue 6
Login
When you arrive at the homepage, the log in box is located at the bottom of the page. Unlike various other pages, however, it is under the header ‘View/Pay Bill’ which is merely one option available once logged in.
The log in area should be under the header ‘log in’ to avoid’ confusion, especially as it adopts that format on other pages.
https://secure.fourseasons.com/secure/contact_us/gift_card_order_form.html -- May 8, 2006
Issue 7
Drop Down Text
The three main product options are not clickable text links. When you land on them, an unstable drop down appears with several clickable text links. This does not work smoothly.
Main product options would be better served as direct links to a secondary page where all subsequent options are offered.
http://www.comcast.com/Localization/Localize.ashx?referer=/Support/Conta... -- May 8, 2006
Issue 8
Contact Us
Though there is a ‘contact us’ option, it is not on the homepage and even when you navigate to it, the process is contrived and takes many clicks. Too much information is required from the customer before you can even get a phone number.
Fostering goodwill is essential and a clear, easy and user-friendly ‘contact us’ box should be prominently offered on the home page.
http://www.comcast.com/Entertainment/?LinkID=40 -- May 9, 2006
Issue 9
Inconsistent use of Icons
The only clickable links on certain pages are the red squares with arrows. Some have just an arrow, some have the word ‘go’ also.
Each of these link icons perform the same function, so consistency in design is desirable to enhance user comfort.
http://www.comcast.com/default.html -- May 9, 2006
Issue 10
Broken Links
On the homepage, there are two feature options to give the choice of which flash commercial you wish to view. Unfortunately, the clickable text links at the foot of each of these are broken links.
Ensuring that links do not return with error messages or go nowhere is of critical importance.
