Benchmarking Study

Systems Concepts

January 18, 2005

Team Members:

Federico Fiallos, Goran Vujovic,

Liying Wu, Neil Brenner, Joseph Menzel

Table of Content

 

Introduction ………………………………………………………………………..

Site 1: Cramsession ……………………………………………………………….

Site 2: Certexams ………………………………………………………………….

Site 3: Certclicks …………………………………………………………………..

Site 4: Whizlabs …………………………………………………………………….

Site 5: Examsheets …………………………………………………………………

Site 6: Examnotes ………………………………………………………………….

Summary Table …………………………………………………………………….

Introduction

By comparing the layout, color, contents of each website, our group will have a better understanding on how to design a user-friendly website.  We also analyzed pros and cons of each website and some screenshot were taken from each website.  At the end of the report, there is a summary table documenting pros and cons of each site. 

Site 1: CramSession

 

URL: http://infocenter.cramsession.com/certifications/exams/oo-analysis--design-uml.asp?exam_id=328

 

Executive Summary:  CramSession in our opinion is a very well designed site.  We especially liked the Return on Investment analysis the site provided for each certification.  This is a powerful tool that can really help an individual determine whether or not pursuing a specific certification is worth his/her time or money.  The site also provides nice features as free IT magazines subscriptions along with features such as salary polls in the IT industry.  Overall we would rate this as a very informative, eye catching, well marketed, and price competitive site.

 

 

Screenshot:  The screen shot below offers a view of the site’s colorful display and organization.  All links worked well and we found the site easy to navigate.  There were a couple of pages with to much empty space, but overall this was an eye-catching site.  There was only one banner ad running at a time that made the site not annoying and enjoyable to visit.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Seen below is a screenshot of the sites Certification Comparison, we think this can be a powerful selling tool because it clearly states the potential benefits from achieving certification and what career improvements to expect from it.

 

 

 

 

Pros:

 

Cons:

Site 2: CertExams

 

URL: http://www.certexams.com/

 

Executive Summary:  In general this was not a very stimulating or appealing website.  It was very plain with overly simple grammar and not very good at selling and marketing.  The site appeared to be more of a portal and search engine than anything else.  Overall we would rate this as a boring, plain, and simple site.

 

 

Screenshot:  The screen shot below offers a view of the site’s simple and plain site.  It had no major sponsors or banner ads.  The site was very simple in nature considering the fact that it is a site geared towards an IT market.  There could be improvements made regarding the color and customer interaction and involvement with the site.

 

 

 

Pros:

 

 

Cons:

 

Site 3: CertClicks

URL: http://www.certclicks.com/certclicksnew/

 

Executive Summary: CertCliks is pay-per click search engine, exclusively dedicated to certification industry. Various organizations that are offering trainings and materials for the certification programs can advertise its services through CertCliks for a certain fee. CertCliks position itself as the most targeted, visual and trafficked lead to the websites of the organization offering certificates. There are currently 14 organizations that advertise their websites through this search engine.

 

Screenshot:

 

 

Pros:

 

·        Very simple to navigate through

·        Easy to read regarding categories of certificate areas it covers

·        Good links to the organizations which are offering certificate training and material

 

Cons:

 

·        Not visible (hidden) information about CertClick company and its background (under privacy policy)

·        Unclear pricing (why is different for each organizations and what period price covers - day/week/month etc.)

·        Not complete and again hidden contact information. Contact possible via e-mail only

·        Link to the “register” too small and not visible

·        It doesn’t explain clearly the areas from which the certificate programs are offered (abbreviations used only)

 

 

Example of one organization that advertises through CertClick.com

 

ActualTest.com

URL: http://www.actualtests.com/

 

Executive Summary: ActualTest.com provides most up-dated questions and answers to the most required certification exams. They have only one price of 99$ which covers over 250 PDF files which include over 20 exams. General feeling is that although website contains a great amount of details, it has too dense content, it is hard to review and to read, and visually is not very interesting (too technical without pictures or other forms of animation).

 

Screenshot:

 

 

Pros:

 

 

 

Cons:

 

 

 

Site 4: Whizlabs

URL: http://www.whizlabs.com/uml/uml-details.html

 

Executive Summary: Whizlabs offers a wide variety of exam simulators at higher end prices. Although the prices are fair given the nature of the product, they are more expensive than what other companies are offering. The most impressive thing on the site is the use of testimonials, which are shown on almost every page. They provide useful information which can be helpful to someone looking to purchase a product.

 

Screenshot: The layout of the site could be done in a more organized manner. Too many things are cluttered onto the main page, with no main focal point to catch the eye. The color scheme is bland, and outside of the one banner ad, there is not much color. Different shades of blue and gray are easy on the eyes, but do not accentuate any focal points of the page.

 

 

Example of Testimonial: This is an example of a testimonial found on a product page. The front page also has a testimonial on it, as well as some of the other product pages. This is a useful technique for giving customers feedback about how others liked the product.

 

 

 

Pros:

 

Cons:

 

Site 5: Examsheets

URL:  http://www.examsheets.com/default.asp

 

Executive Summary

Examsheets.com offers multiple “exam sheets” with questions and answers directed to over a dozen different certifications.  This site provides to the customer how many questions is in each individual each exam sheet as well as when it was posted; to reinforce timely, current information.

 

Screen Shot

This page is cluttered with information including many links all over the top, left, and right side of the page.  The fact that there is a picture of a young woman provides a personal touch to the overall appearance to the site.  Also, no products or updates in the “coming soon” section suggest that there is no distinct strategic direction this site is heading toward.

 

 

 

 

Pros

-         Offers money-back guarantee

-         Free samples of exam questions and answers

-         Promotional statements

o        “The only preparation you need to get certified”

o        “Guaranteed Pass!!”

o        “The Quickest Way to Get Certified

-         User online support

-         Offers questions and Answers with Explanations

o       Anything from products (exam sheets) to downloading questions.

-         Free one year updates

o       Informs customers of new study material for new or existing certifications

 

 

Negatives

-         Too many options on homepage

-         Unattractive color scheme and banner

o       Confusing reverse color ascent on the scroll bar

o       The banner is a little confusing with respect to the product sold

-         Exam sheets are sold in PDF format

-         Does not offer interactive learning

-         Company information not provided

o       How long they have been active

o       Mission Statement

-         Testimonial Section has duplications that create a full look

 

Notes

-         Having established corporations on the homepage creates a pre-established reputation

-         This sort of site requires constant updates in order to look appealing to new customers

o       Dated testimonials

o       Blank “coming soon” section

-         Has Top Sponsors on their site that are their competitors

 

Site 6: Examnotes

URL: http://www.examnotes.net/

 

Executive Summary: Examnotes offers a wide variety of exam notes and exam practice questions.  It is a website which collects all kind of information about IT certification together.  The most important difference on the site is that most of its products are free.  They provide usefully information regarding taking IT certification and many links to other IT certified companies. 

 

Screenshot: The layout of this site is not well organized.  There are too many things cluttering in the main pages.  The color scheme is white and very bland.  Too much information clutter together and it is very difficult for browsers to find the information they need.  Information should be categorized based on different kind of exams and sponsor banner ads should be limited. 

 

 

 

 

 

Pros:

 

 

Cons:

 

Summary Table

Scale from 1 (poorly) to 10 (excellent)

 

 

Appealing & Design

Site Features

Competitive Price

Promotion

Cramsession

8

7

6

6

Certexams

6

6

8

7

Certclicks

7

8

6

7

ActualTest

4

8

8

6

Whizlabs

7

7

5

6

Examsheets

5

6

6

7

Examnotes

5

4

8

6