Your input on the new website helps
November 8th, 2008 at 12:26 am by Dave DeJonge under Inside WOOD TV8
Our new site design is up and running. If you missed the advance notice, you can read about the background of this change here.
Many of you have shared your feedback and it is much appreciated. Your input will help us build a site that’s useful, informative and enlightening to you.
I’ve answered many of your questions personally, but do notice some recurring questions I can answer…
> Many have mentioned trouble finding more of our news stories. During the first few hours on the new platform, local news wasn’t as current as it will be in the future. Nevertheless we hear your concerns and we are evaluating the organization. In the meantime, be sure to check the under all the tabs at the top of the homepage. That’s where you’ll find the most topical stories. On the News page, we’ve increased the number of local stories viewable. Soon, you’ll see even more there. Under the News navigation, you’ll see various categories like National and Politics.
> We’ve had numerous reports of the site being slow to load. That’s a major concern and my top priority. If you can share specific information about what elements are slow to load, it will be helpful.
> RSS Feeds have changed with the new site platform. Sorry for that change. Early next week we’ll have the RSS locations finalized for you.
> The text for the printer-friendly forecast will be in place next week.
> Many weather maps are still available. Try using the main navigation at the top of the page for things like Currents, Forecasts, Radar, Severe Weather, and Webcams. While you’re there, be sure to check out the new HiDef and SuperTracker maps. You can see weather on a national scale or on a hyperlocal scale for anywhere in the U.S. Many of you have asked for maps like this.
> A more prominent link to Bill’s Blog will be coming to the homepage next week.
> The Topix forums are still around. You can find links at the bottom of many news stories or under the main navigation of Participate.
We always want to hear your comments and questions. Feel free to post them below or email them to webcentral@woodtv.com.
Tags: website design news
Internet Director for WOODTV.com
Old site was much better. I hate all the videos. I want to read the stories. So many dang videos on the home page make it sooooooo slow to load. Old site was great and easy to use. This “new” page is not better. I will go else where.
Ditto to all of the comments above disliking your new website. It sucks – plain and simple – for everything. Go back to the old format or I won’t be back. Very disappointing. Big mistake. Huge.
What I liked about the old site was that I could catch up on the major headlines and weather each morning in 5 minutes or less. I do not like the new site. I don’t want to watch videos. I would rather read. It is too slow to load and too much extra clicking.
Don’t like it. Can’t find my way around. Can’t find written news articles, if they are there. Can’t find the weather information. DON’T LIKE IT. Why did you change it? Sorry to say, I’ll probably be using someone else’s news site.
I am very disappointed, I have tried to adjust, but I hate this new design. It is not user friendly, its difficult to find the blogs, and I miss the 9 top stories that used to be at the top of the page. Bring back the old one, please.
I like the updates… Keep it going. Having many local news stories right in the front is a step in the right direction. Thanks for listening.
Your new site is extremely frustrating. Why is there so much emphasis on videos. Many people still enjoy READING and not feeling as we have to watch a video to get our news.
Also, have you checked out your Football Frenzy?!? If I would like to know what games are going to be played on October 17, 2008, I would love the information. Instead, I would much rather know what happened in the more recent dates!
I believe that change can be good, but in this case, your change is frustrating. Wood TV has forever been my souce for local news, but I will no longer be supporting Wood TV. I will be switching over to WZZM…where at least their site is much more up to date (no Oct 17 game news) and much easier to navigate and read.
it sucks id rather watch the lions lose
Do not like new site – want to read stories, not watch them. Just like the others…. liked the new site MUCH better
I liked the old style much better, as it was much easier to see the top headlines. This is smaller, whiter & boring. Hope you change it back!!!
I like the changes. but I use the barometer readings in the weather section of site alot for hunting reasons and I cant seem to find the current readings or if they are rising or droping.I was also easier to get the local weather and I really liked being able to click on icon to hear the forcast at any time.
This new website is extremely frustrating to me. It takes a long time to navigate (I have Vista). I have difficulties locating my interests. Too many different links, too much flash. I find myself visiting this website less and less. I believe your intentions were to make things easier and more up to date with what is out there; however, if you truly want people to stay on this site it needs much improvement.
I do not like it, it is not visually pleasant, and the ease of actually SEEING the news has turned into FINDING and NAVIGATING yoru website to see it.
[...] Your input on the new website helps > A new website is coming [...]
This site is terrible. I have tried it many times since I have it as my home page, but I am now switching to a different news home page. Sorry, but I need something that is more computer friendly.
I do not like the new weather info. The home page should show the days forecast and the five day forecast rather than having to navigate through different pages. Liked the old weather better!!!!!!!
I had your old weather page on my bookmark bar. I went to it frequently. I preferred the ability to have the five day forecast load first as opposed to the ‘day’ forecast. I have to plan several days ahead and have to work around the weather. This may be true for others. Thanks.
PS. I loved the cams. I always want to know what’s going on at the beach no matter what time of year it is.
We can’t stand the new site. It’s harder to navigate especially the weather section. And, we can’t stand the large advertisements everywhere. It doesn’t seem like a television website, but a pop-up ad.
Please go back to the old site! It was much better when you just clicked on the story you wanted to read. I hope you at least make some changes, keep it simple and not like WZZM………Thank You!
I do not like the new format. the previous one was much easier to nagigate and find the info you are after. My sugestion would be to scrap this and go back to the previous format.
I particularly do not like your new website…I did enjoy having all of the top news story topics in a list that I could read myself at the click of the mouse. I will not play video clips. The website you folks had two updates ago was my favorite. I will probably begin viewing abc or cbs instead for my up to date news.
I do not like the new website at all! It takes way too long to download; sometimes the pictures do not even show up! It is not as colorful as it once was . . . I liked the old website much better!
I use this site less now. Terrible redesign.
no good at all. very unimagainative and boring.
Hate it, bring the new one back. The new one is slow to load and hard to find way around. Bring the old one back
I am not impressed with the new look. It is very hard to find the news I want to see. I miss the breaking news.
Like anything else that’s new, it takes a little time to figure out where things are. My only concern is the light blue print. I find it hard to read/see. I think a darker color would be better.
PLEASE don’t tell me LIN Television has demanded the link to the comment section of the New Web site be taken down.
I wrote them an hour ago voicing my displeasure of having a ‘generic’ website for the LIN stations and suggested they read the negative feedback here.
That is icing on the cake if that is true.
realy slow. like to see wind speed and direction in the 5 day forecast.
i e-mailed both, lin and wood and still no ie icon nor woodtv icon.would you listen to a radio station if their was no freq. on the display.going to wzzm .
I LIKED THE OLD WEBSITE BETTER!!!!!!
I’m saying GoodBye to your noon news. It was so good not to have to watch some-one that said she is “so Pretty that ahe could have been a Model” (Rachel). I’m sure you have others that are not arrogant and conceited. I cannot stand to look at her. PLEASE CAN WE HAVE SOME ONE ELSE!!!!!!!!!!!!
Good site and post, I recently started watch tv episodes here and just stream them straight to my TV in the living room.