MSN Traffic drop

new homepage causing it?

[Travoli]

Since MSN changed their homepage, our SE traffic has been cut by 50%. I believe it has to do with the search box being in the upper right corner, very poor placement and size IMHO. There are usability issues with that placement. People generally look to the middle or left hand side of the page for a search box. Anyone else noticing the traffic drop?

[jeremy goodrich]

I haven't seen a traffic drop in anything I've been watching, but the box placement is very bad, imho. Somebody needs to tell their fully complient web development team that they should read some stuff on usability ;)

[Liane]

I went to MSN today and couldn't get in with either Netscape OR IE 5.0. Stupid message said I had to download 5.1. When I clicked on the "download" link ... it took me to a page selling all sorts of things. I looked for the download 5.1 link and couldn't find it.

I got so frustrated, I sent microsoft a disgruntled message asking for instructions and telling them I don't have time to "SEARCH" for something they are forcing down my throat. Damn it, I just downloaded 5.0 two weeks ago and it took hours. Now I have to go through all that over again?

If there is a decrease in MSN traffic worldwide it wouldn't surprise me in the least. Since they haven't bothered to respond to my inquiry ... I can't be bothered with their new browser. I don't like IE anyway.

I am not all that computer savy ... and they sure haven't made the download very user friendly. Unless something changes (and soon) my guess is that we will all experience a BIG decrease in MSN traffic.

[andrey_sea]

I am experiencing an increase NOT a decrease in their traffic. And with Windows XP out I think they will pick up more traffic if anything...

[lawman]

I'm experiencing a definite increase in M$N traffic. I wonder if any of the increase can be attributed to INK abandoning the L$ description for the one I supplied.

Lawman

[cyril kearney]

You can just about always get my attention on usability issues.

I brought up the MSN page and perhaps I am seeing a different page but I thought the page well designed. Perhaps others like Travoli complained and MSN fixed it.

What is there now is 2 ways to get to search.

Just left of center about one inch down from the top of screen "Search" appears in the menu bar.

To the right a good size graphic (perhaps 3/4 an inch tall) is plainly visible. The search box stands out clearly and "Search the Web" is displayed above it in a bright yellow.

I would be interested to know if this page arrangement helps Travoli's SE performance.

[Travoli]

It is a bit different now, and a little better. But still, I think the search box should be given more prominence. Then again, of course I should think that, I want people to leave the MSN site and come to mine! :) They are probably trying to reverse that trend, I can't blame them for it.

I will certainly let you know. When did the page change exactly?

[guysmy]

They make more profit from clicks elsewhere on the site, good assumption.

[beasscr]

Everytime I go to MSN it crashes my browser (both IE and Netscape)! I can't get in...getting a bit frustrated!

[seth_wilde]

"Everytime I go to MSN it crashes my browser (both IE and Netscape)! I can't get in...getting a bit frustrated!"

Its been working fine with IE for me... With netscape it either crashes or take almost 5 min to load... It wasn't doing this a week ago... I think their back to their old tricks...

[toolman]

HeeeHeee.... Seems the M$ crowd thumbs their noses at traditional wisdom ...."no man (entity) is an island".

We'll see what happens I'm sure...MSN is a dog for searching anyway...news ain't that good either.