Really quick mock-up but you get the idea: http://i.imgur.com/1yN2gda.png
This is just my thoughts but I’m not a designer or anything so take it with a pinch of salt.
Nice work, I like it, maybe leave out the ‘combined’ and bold the saving instead.
Also noticed the txt under merchants says teaching. Sounds a bit paternalistic, maybe better use helping or supporting instead.
@river333 txs for your new mock-up
I have several remarks:
- the absence of a powerful big tag line that attracts and hooks ppl up:
“secure. sustainable. peercoin is here”
—>this tagline is underestimating peercoin values and does not convey much info.
Why not having in big and bold: peercoin is the only decentralized crypto currency.
This by itself is very remarkable and memorable. Ppl will repeat and spread and visit the site.
-
why using a .net domain? that sounds like peercoin is an association of amateur ppl or stud.
Let us use a .com! -
I agree it is hard to target ppl non familiar to cryptos.
I mean how can u sell a prius hybrid to someone that used to ride horse carriage if he does not know about cars or have one already? -
layout and palette: why the yellow? why the logo is covered by the tag line?
I think we need to call upon a mktg agency using the mktg fund to create a site that rocks asap -
mktg plan: who is in charge?
[quote=“crypto_coiner, post:10, topic:2586”]- why using a .net domain? that sounds like peercoin is an association of amateur ppl or stud.
Let us use a .com![/quote]
There’s nothing we can do about this. Peercoin.com is owned by Litecoin people.
[quote=“crypto_coiner, post:10, topic:2586”]- the absence of a powerful big tag line that attracts and hooks ppl up:
“secure. sustainable. peercoin is here”
—>this tagline is underestimating peercoin values and does not convey much info.
Why not having in big and bold: peercoin is the only decentralized crypto currency.
This by itself is very remarkable and memorable. Ppl will repeat and spread and visit the site.[/quote]
Peercoin’s main slogan has been “The Secure & Sustainable Cryptocoin” for a while now. I personally don’t like the “Peercoin is Here” bit though. I don’t even understand what that’s supposed to mean. It’s been here for almost 2 years. As for your suggestion, I realize we’re aiming to be the most decentralized crypto network, but I’m not sure if we can really claim that title yet, since we still have centralized checkpoints. Sunny needs to phase them out first I think
[quote=“TheWildHorse, post:1, topic:2586”]Now this is an important thing you want to decide:
Do you want the frontpage to cater to people with no crypto experience, or to people that already know bitcoin and such?[/quote]
I agree this is a key question. I suggest the website should follow two basic principles:
-
Assume the visitor already knows what a crypto currency is (otherwise they would not be visiting peercoin.net)
-
Assume the visitor knows nothing of peercoin
In my view, explaining cryptocurrency will be a distraction. What visitors need to know about is peercoin. By way of comparison, a bank website does not explain banking - their emphasis is on explaining their own facilities and why a customer should want them. To answer wildhorse’s earlier question, therefore, I would keep the idea of “Average Joe” and “Merchant” audiences, but eliminate “Cryptofreak”.
Perhaps we could have a link saying “New to Peercoin? Start here” and give people a road map
Spending & Saving
I don’t agree with dual marketing such as “Spending & Saving Combined” because it suggests we are trying to be best at both things. I believe that such an approach will fail because peercoin is not primarily a spending coin, and giving this equal emphasis will compromise the saving element. In short, we will fall down the middle
To be clear, I am not saying the website should not contain information and facilities for spending and merchants, of course it should, but I believe the website’s “culture” or “mission” should be on what Peercoin is primarily designed for, which is saving/stability/security. Perhaps what the website needs is a “mission statement” that expands on the slogan “The Secure & Sustainable Cryptocoin”. Perhaps along the lines of:
Peercoin is a crypto-currency, like bitcoin. Peercoin, like other crypto-currencies, can be spent online and in shops, but whereas other coins are designed for buying speed, peercoin’s mission is to provide a vehicle for saving. Peercoin: a safe storage of wealth in unsafe times.
I am sure this statement can be much improved upon, but my point is that we can acknowledge spending while putting safely/storage upfront and visible. Keep in mind the unresolved problems in the banking system, Cyprus, Euro, etc. Peercoin can provide a real service simply by being stable.
To sell the stability/safety aspect, we can explain PoS, the small blockchain, efficiency, etc. but the key is to do it from a safety/savings perspective, not a technical one. This is why we do not need to distinguish between Ave Joe and Cryptofreak, because Ave Joe still wants to know why he should place his confidence (and savings) in peercoin
Let me share my two personal lessons from visiting crypto-coin websites:
-
The first question in my mind is: why should I be interested in this particular coin
-
The second question is, if I buy these coins with fiat, how do I (a) store them safely and (b) how do I convert them back again?
Highlighting peercoin as a vehicle for saving and safe storage answers these questions, and thus gives us an edge over spending coins
How we buy and spend (in a retail context) are secondary questions, more likely to be considered only once the questions of safe storage and exit are addressed
It would be perfect if you guys could create some content for those 3 highlights on top:
I could write it myself, but you guys know a lot more than me on the subject and have an idea of what features you want to show off.
Basically if someone could propose an idea for those, and lets modify them until we have established a quorum with most of the active community in this topic.
Anyone with any progress on this?
Sorry, I just informed some people in chat that we need to start focusing more on the content. It’s just been so busy here lately. It’s hard to keep up with all the different projects. For now I think we’ll be using Proof of Stake Security and Energy Efficiency, not sure about the 3rd title yet, maybe something about saving and minting to earn 1%. We also need to figure out the descriptions below the titles.
I made a Google Docs table with the wanted contents. It is free to edit, so someone just fill the missing stuff with general idea so we can collectively do small fixes and reword things.
Wildhorse,
Thank you for your work so far on upgrading the website. I am afraid we have been distracted the last day or two by NuBits
I am presently looking at the “wide” version here - http://i.imgur.com/L4fHjJ0.png
And the “long” version here - http://igor-rinkovec.from.hr/peercoin/
With regards to the seven main symbols that form the “centrepiece” of the website, I do not yet think we have the balance right in terms of their headings, and therefore content. One heading is Fast and Cheap transactions, another is on Individuals (and refers to sending money), and a third refers to Merchants. Thus, three of seven refer to spending or transferring money.
None of the seven headings refers to savings or safe storage which, presumably, is Peercoin’s raison d’etre as a “backbone currency”
As a result, there is nothing to distinguish peercoin from any other reputable coin - we ALL boast inexpensive and near instantaneous transactions. The benefit of peercoin - being secure and sustainable, and therefore ideal for the safe long-term storage of value - is not evident from the present symbol themes
I want to propose that we rename the seven symbols. Presently, they are as follows:
Digital cryptocurrency
Fast & cheap Transactions
Available 24/7
Individual
Merchant
Developer
Miner
Rather than beat about the bush, I thought I would say what I think the headings should be, and then explain my reasoning:
Peercoin: cryptocurrency for secure savings
Saver
Consumer
Merchant
How to obtain peercoins
Developments
FAQ
My reasoning is as follows:
Peercoin: cryptocurrency for secure savings
This kills two birds with one stone. Rather than explaining cryptocurrency in general terms, which can be technical and offputting, we explain cryptocurrency specifically relating to Peercoin’s purpose as a backbone currency: reduced blockchain, efficiency, the deflation/inflation balance, etc. This would absorb the “Available 24/7” heading
Saver
I propose splitting “Individual” into Saver and Consumer. The Saver section would deal with storing PPC, minting, paper wallets, how to use a block viewer, and security, etc
Consumer
This can deal with how to spend peercoins, online and in shops, etc, using mobile phones & QR codes to transact. Safety. This would absorb the present “Fast & Cheap Transactions” heading
Merchant
As proposed at present
How to obtain peercoins
This is already under the menu at the top of the page, but is so important it seems perverse not to include it as a main heading. This would cover exchanges and mining (thus absorbing the current “Mining” heading). In due course, ATMs would go here
Developments
I suggest broadening Developers to Developments. This is more appealing to general visitors. This is not something that needs updating frequently, more a statement of goals and challenges for the foreseeable future. In effect, PPC’s “road map”. It would include the invitation for Developers
FAQ
Finally, a list of queries that visitors might have
Comments from the community are welcome.
Another thing to be borne in mind is how these headings coordinate with the drop-down menus at the top of the page
There are no 7 “features”, but 3. The top three are the ones that will try to “sell” the concept of peercoin to people. To write content for those 3, please check my previous post.
The bottom 4 are the “types” of users, so they can get started and get info that is most important to them shown.
[quote=“TheWildHorse, post:19, topic:2586”]There are no 7 “features”, but 3. The top three are the ones that will try to “sell” the concept of peercoin to people. To write content for those 3, please check my previous post.
The bottom 4 are the “types” of users, so they can get started and get info that is most important to them shown.[/quote]
So just to make sure, to conform Robert’s ideas to your structure, saver, consumer and how to get peercoins would all be information that is listed in “Individual.” Merchant is for all the info needed for people to accept Peercoin as payment. Developer explains Peercoin at a much deeper technical level (Not for the average user). And miner is for showing people everything about how to mine Peercoins. And all the info in these pages should be interlinked, for example info in the miner page might be linked from individual. Correct?
The top 3 should be reserved for features about Peercoin, like I’ve mentioned before, Proof of Stake Security, Energy Efficiency (Network is sustainable on low-grade hardware) and Saving (Minting for 1% reward). There are a lot more features, but the most important ones are listed here. When you click on the “learn more” buttons below each feature, where will they take you, to separate pages with only info on that specific feature, or to a general page that lays out all these topics/features and more for the average person (As non-technical of an explanation as possible.)? This would be Robert’s “cryptocurrency for secure savings” heading, a page that lays it all out in an easy to understand way.
[quote=“Sentinelrv, post:20, topic:2586”][quote=“TheWildHorse, post:19, topic:2586”]There are no 7 “features”, but 3. The top three are the ones that will try to “sell” the concept of peercoin to people. To write content for those 3, please check my previous post.
The bottom 4 are the “types” of users, so they can get started and get info that is most important to them shown.[/quote]
So just to make sure, to conform Robert’s ideas to your structure, saver, consumer and how to get peercoins would all be information that is listed in “Individual.” Merchant is for all the info needed for people to accept Peercoin as payment. Developer explains Peercoin at a much deeper technical level (Not for the average user). And miner is for showing people everything about how to mine Peercoins. And all the info in these pages should be interlinked, for example info in the miner page might be linked from individual. Correct?
The top 3 should be reserved for features about Peercoin, like I’ve mentioned before, Proof of Stake Security, Energy Efficiency (Network is sustainable on low-grade hardware) and Saving (Minting for 1% reward). There are a lot more features, but the most important ones are listed here. When you click on the “learn more” buttons below each feature, where will they take you, to separate pages with only info on that specific feature, or to a general page that lays out all these topics/features and more for the average person (As non-technical of an explanation as possible.)?[/quote]
Yes, exactly, and for example, individual and merchant will both mention selling Peercoin for fiat and how it is done, but will lead to a special page that explains the process in detail.
[quote=“TheWildHorse, post:21, topic:2586”][quote=“Sentinelrv, post:20, topic:2586”][quote=“TheWildHorse, post:19, topic:2586”]There are no 7 “features”, but 3. The top three are the ones that will try to “sell” the concept of peercoin to people. To write content for those 3, please check my previous post.
The bottom 4 are the “types” of users, so they can get started and get info that is most important to them shown.[/quote]
So just to make sure, to conform Robert’s ideas to your structure, saver, consumer and how to get peercoins would all be information that is listed in “Individual.” Merchant is for all the info needed for people to accept Peercoin as payment. Developer explains Peercoin at a much deeper technical level (Not for the average user). And miner is for showing people everything about how to mine Peercoins. And all the info in these pages should be interlinked, for example info in the miner page might be linked from individual. Correct?
The top 3 should be reserved for features about Peercoin, like I’ve mentioned before, Proof of Stake Security, Energy Efficiency (Network is sustainable on low-grade hardware) and Saving (Minting for 1% reward). There are a lot more features, but the most important ones are listed here. When you click on the “learn more” buttons below each feature, where will they take you, to separate pages with only info on that specific feature, or to a general page that lays out all these topics/features and more for the average person (As non-technical of an explanation as possible.)?[/quote]
Yes, exactly, and for example, individual and merchant will both mention selling Peercoin for fiat and how it is done, but will lead to a special page that explains the process in detail.[/quote]
What about my last question? I edited it a bit at the end…
When you click on the "learn more" buttons below each feature, where will they take you, to separate pages with only info on that specific feature, or to a general page that lays out all these topics/features and more for the average person (As non-technical of an explanation as possible.)? This would be Robert's "cryptocurrency for secure savings" heading, a page that lays it all out in an easy to understand way.
I would prefer the latter, all the learn more links would take you to the same page, a place that contains a general explanation about everything, all major features, backbone currency idea, saving and minting, energy efficiency, proof of stake, preventing centralization of the network, faster wallet synching, etc… Everything would go here, but it would be a general explanation for the average user. If you click on the bottom “user type” links, that’s where it gets really specific.
If we made a general information page like this, it would probably be pretty long. There’s a lot to talk about. It can’t just be boring text though. We’d need to spice it up with some visuals to communicate the ideas and concepts more effectively. The “Why Peercoin?” button at the top could also link to this page.
Yes, that’s how I indended that to work. It will be a single “Why Peercoin?” page which will list all of those “perks” of Peercoin. And it will be spiced up with some sexy looking graphics, and presented in a visually appealing way. To keep the user interested.
The main part in doing this is to keep it short, in small segments, so we don’t have to rely on users investing into reading huge articles of text, if they want to do that they can read the whitepaper, the website should give them info in a short, easy and articulated way.
The term Individual is far too broad - we are all individuals
The needs of a saver are wholly different to those of a consumer. At the moment, the website outline, and therefore how Peercoin is portrayed to the outside world, is geared to shoppers. Peercoin is not designed for everyday purchases, but as a backbone currency, which is why it has been adopted by peershares and involved in some way with NuBits
That is not to say purchases cannot be done, but all coins do this. Some, like primecoin, confirm much faster. Emphasising that peercoin can be used 24/7 or is fast in no way differentiates it from every other coin out there, and leaves people with no incentive to switch from bitcoin or doge. We have to appeal to a much larger number of users than those that want to buy on Amazon, or the tiny number of people who are miners and developers
There is a huge number of potential users who want a safe alternative to bank accounts. The website has therefore got to broadcast the message that peercoin is a long-term storage of value, that it is a solution for them
And I stress again, this row contains just a placeholder, nothing else, do not look at its content, instead, if you have an idea what 3 things should be emphasized to potential Peercoin users, update the spreadsheet linked below. The sooner that is done, the sooner I can start working on icons and bringing the front page to a close.
Spreadsheet: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1Ir0hNwD_ctqkKn_5T2AgN6nv4FJB5k3aB7JLBghKS_8/edit?usp=sharing
Also, if you have an idea how we should call those types of people, please do make concrete proposals. Saying “I don’t like this” just won’t do. I need concrete proposals to what we could replace those types with.
Why are you misrepresenting me? I did not just say “I don’t like this”
You can see in my two previous posts that I have articulated a range of ideas for headings, and explained my reasoning. That is the purpose of this thread
Are you opposed to my suggestions? If so, discuss them. But please do not ignore them
[quote=“RobertLloyd, post:26, topic:2586”]Why are you misrepresenting me? I did not just say “I don’t like this”
You can see in my two previous posts that I have articulated a range of ideas for headings, and explained my reasoning. That is the purpose of this thread
Are you opposed to my suggestions? If so, discuss them. But please do not ignore them[/quote]
Robert, I understand what you’re saying. The website needs to convey that message immediately, but let’s make sure of something first. Do you agree with the basic structure and layout he’s proposing for the website? Not the content or titles so far, just the structure…
1. 3 specific major features displayed about Peercoin. All 3 features have a learn more button, which take the user to the same general information page, which completely lays out in an easy to understand manner what Peercoin is, why it should be important to them and all of its major features. This page will contain visual elements helping to explain certain core concepts. The “Why Peercoin?” Button at the top of the home page also links here.
2. There will be a number of user types that will contain information specific to what they’re looking for. These pages will have sub-pages for further information in a certain subject and everything will be interlinked.
Do you agree with this basic structure?
Now, the 3 features are there to motivate the person to click on the learn more button, where the real detailed information lies. So far I’ve given 3 example features that could be used in these spaces, proof-of-stake security, saving and minting (1% reward) and energy efficiency (Netword can run on low-grade hardware and remain decentralized).
These are just examples and are not set in stone. For example, one of them can be written up to convey log-term storage of value, or backbone currency. Maybe it’s even possible to add a 4th feature to make sure this information is there.
Right above the 3 features is a small text that says “Why Peercoin?” This text can be altered and expanded to convey these ideas.
Here is the most important part, the user types. You don’t seem to think the current user types are correct because they aren’t the people we’re specifically focusing on, for example merchants, developers and miners. Even though these might be smaller segments, I feel this is still information we need to have on the website. People will need to know how to accept Peercoin. Developers would like to learn more about the detailed technical aspects behind the coin. And miners will need to know how to mine. I feel we should keep these sections.
The biggest user type section would be “individual.” We obviously need a new name for this section, but it can be used to explain much of the information that you’re concerned about in relation to how it affects the user of the coin. It would also contain basic info though like how to spend coins, how to mint and such. This page would also be linked from the general info page to show people how to get started? What title can we use for this section, what else do you feel we can put in it and how else can we improve this? First though, what do you think about my initial question about the structure of the website?