Plato: qualtrics.com

Qualtrics.com

Let's start with what the site does well:

Unified theme - qualtrics.com is a well-made site that is smooth and flows easily from page to page. Every page has a similar look and all are focused on research and data collection. There are pages for different products and uses as well as supporting pages providing insights for the user. Everything ties back into data collection.

Easy to understand - along with the ease of navigating the site, it is also easy for the user to understand the purpose. The site is not wordy and the language it uses is clear and direct. Anyone interested in data collection would be able to find what they are interested in and find material that is explained at their level. 

In contrast, there are to key things that qualtrics.com does not do particularly well:

Includes everyone - while Qualtrics is great for anyone interested in data collection, those not involved are out of luck. There is also a bit of a cap on the bottom end; those who aren't able to spend more than a few thousand dollars on survey research per year are basically disqualified from using the product. 

Facilitates discussion - this last point, and perhaps the most important, is definitely lacking on qualtrics.com. There is a page titled Qualtrics Customers that has reviews from clients but the page is very controlled. It is difficult to say whether this hurts or helps. Customers definitely will recognize that  there will be no negative reviews on here as Qualtrics posts the content. However, the reviews are a great way for potential customers to see how other firms have used the product. Difficult to say whether this is good or bad. 

Plato: Critiquing Venmo

My critique of Venmo, which is an app that allows users to transfer money to their friends, will follow the four points that seem to be most salient to our discussion, which are:

1. Unifying theme
2. Inclusion of everyone
3. Enticing opportunity for open discussion
4. Ease of understanding

First, Venmo is well unified because everything on the app is included because it facilitates transferring money form one person to another in a timely fashion. The sidebar allows you to search for people who owe you money, or to whom you owe money and can be linked to Facebook to find which of your friends owe you money. It has an option to see pending payments, to change your profile settings (so your friends can recognize you and know that you are who they're actually sending money to), and has an option to cash out when your friends pay you. The home feed lets you see transactions your friends make, and even gives you the opportunity to like and comment on them.

Second, Venmo makes it reasonably easy to include everyone. I had some difficulties setting up my profile when it came to linking to my checking account, since I use a really small credit union which wasn't listed on the app. So it took a while and some trial and error to validate my account. But once I had it up and running, it became very easy to make transactions.

Third, as Venmo is designed to allow people to pay each other, there isn't much discussion that's really necessary besides telling someone to pay you what they owe you or you'll send Frankie over to break their legs . . . just kidding. But the interface is in place for conversations to happen. I think that as Venmo gets bigger, they hope to promote events on their app that people can buy tickets to and split the cost, or something of that nature. They're not even a year old, so they're still in the very basic stages of what they could be.

Fourth, while Venmo is relatively new, their interface is still very slick, easy to understand, and professional-looking. These are all qualities that inspire confidence, which is a necessity considering they're dealing with peoples' money.

Plato: Critiquing Mormon.org

My critique of Mormon.org will follow Topher's outline and the four points, which are:

1. Unifying theme
2. Inclusion of everyone
3. Enticing opportunity for open discussion, and
4. Easy to understand

First, the theme of Mormon.org is parallel, meaning not quite the same, to other websites ran by the LDS Church.  However, there is plenty of material that connects Mormon.org to the main websites, so it offers some connection on those points.  I would say that Mormon.org's theme is an acknowledgement of what the world calls the LDS Church (hence the name) while also proclaiming what they are about.

Second, there are, again, plenty of inviting links, pertinent life questions, lots of viewable profiles from members available for those not of the faith, and many other things inviting people to join.

Third, there are various links inviting visitors to a range of things, like viewing profiles, speaking on line, visiting with missionaries, or finding a church nearby.

Fourth, as far as the website goes, it seems easy to navigate and quick to understand.  

Plato and LDS Social Media

Hey guys, here is my first ever screenshot video! In it, I am using Plato to critique the Facebook page of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Enjoy!

Today I found an interesting article written by Forbes - Measuring The Impact Of Social Media On Your Business

"The CMO Survey asked marketers how they show the impact of social media on their business, only 15% cited they have been able to prove the impact quantitatively."

They give eleven guiding principles to create a more effective social media campaign for companies.