ABCNews.com Improves Design, Navigation, Search
EmailWe are delighted to introduce a number of improvements to ABCNews.com designed to create a more compelling, user-friendly online news experience. We’ve simplified our navigation, made video more prominent, developed a better site search tool, and created a more readable, visually stunning design. Major improvements include: VIDEO FRONT AND CENTER We set out to showcase our video in a unique way and our new rotating video strip does just that. You’ll find more than a dozen videos at the top of our home page and other sections. We have also added a direct link to our video player at the top right of the site, and a new box on the home page featuring full episodes of all of our primetime programs.IMPROVED NAVIGATION We’ve simplified our navigation to make it much easier to find your way around ABCNews.com. Rather than having separate navigations for our topical sections and our shows, we’ve moved them to one, easy-to-read row — and added a second row underneath with handy quick links. Mouse over the headings and you’ll find more useful links related to each topic or show, enabling you to navigate directly to some of our best content with just one click. We’ve also added useful links at the top right of the site — to our video player, blogs, newsletters, mobile products, ABC.com and sports news on ESPN.com.IMPROVED SITE SEARCH We’ve built a new site search engine from scratch that delivers results that are much more relevant. In addition, search results are now categorized by type (stories, blog posts, videos, photos and recipes), date, show and section. After you get your search results, click on any of the links in the left column to refine your search results even more by any of these categories. We’re also adding quick links to hot topics above the search box at the top of the site. We will continue to improve the search experience. Our goal is to make it as easy as possible to find the content you want.VISUALLY STUNNING DESIGN We’re using larger images to create more visual impact, and shifting to 16×9 widescreen images to create a more modern look, reflective of the move toward widescreen televisions and computer monitors.MORE READABLE FONTS We’ve changed our fonts sizes, styles and colors across our site to make our headlines and stories more readable.GOOD MORNING AMERICA RECIPES You can search our exclusive GMA recipes database and find quick links to popular recipes and chefs directly from our Recipes widget on our homepage. And you can even embed it on your iGoogle or Facebook pages, or on your personal website or blog. (More about our new Recipes section, which we launched last month, here.) EXCLUSIVE CONTENT You’ll find new boxes on our homepage highlighting exclusive content from Good Morning America, the Blotter and Investigative Team, our exceptional politics team that includes George Stephanopoulos and Jake Tapper, and our original web-only video series, the Quick Fix. We’ve been gradually rolling out these new features over the past month and fine-tuning them — and we will continue to improve upon them as we move forward. We also have more enhancements planned, so stay tuned! Our team at ABCNews.com is dedicated to bringing you the best news experience online. We hope you enjoy the improvements! – Jonathan Dube
Vice President, ABCNews.com
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I don’t like it. I thought the previous format was much friendlier. I would also prefer to be able to choose either video or blog for the articles.
Posted by: Jeanette Coers | May 21, 2009, 10:34 am 10:34 am
Hate it. Feels like I’m a little kid that has to look at a picture to decide what I want to read rather than read and decide. Sorry guys, but this site sucks big time. CNN will now replace you.
Posted by: Tina | May 21, 2009, 10:38 am 10:38 am
It’s all fluff, start improving the engine that drives all of this. Get a better search feature, start updating your sports page on a regular basis, hire people to respond to support issues (404 errors on search results, missing templates, etc…) and much more.
Posted by: Doug | May 21, 2009, 10:41 am 10:41 am
And by the way, if I wanted to watch video, I’d turn on the TV. I’m at work, I don’t have time to look at video. I can read just fine, I don’t want to look at pictures when I pull up a news website. Hate it. Can’t stress enough how much I hate it.
Posted by: Tina | May 21, 2009, 10:41 am 10:41 am
Personally, I don’t care for it. I don’t have the option to watch the videos to get the information – I can read the articles or view the ‘slide shows’ at my own pace or availability. I found the previous site much easier to locate the story I wanted.
Posted by: Bee Jay | May 21, 2009, 10:46 am 10:46 am
ABCNews.com Improves Design,Navigation,
Search
NOT! This is not good at all guys! It’s like the “new” Coke formula. Good in theory…..but bombed with the public. Let’s go back to the way it was!
Posted by: Bailee | May 21, 2009, 10:46 am 10:46 am
I agree with everyone else- I like the old format better and I take a couple of minutes during my break time to look at the news and don’t have time to decide whether to see the video or not. Switching over to msnbc or cnn- you lost a website searcher
Posted by: fran | May 21, 2009, 10:56 am 10:56 am
I really like the new design. Congratulations on a job well done. It’s fresh and well structured.
Posted by: Eduardo Hauser | May 21, 2009, 10:58 am 10:58 am
Hate the new site. Too busy. Looks like an arcade on steroids. What was wrong with the old site. Agree with others – don’t want to watch videos while at work.
Change it back – or – switching over to foxnews – your new site is just awful!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Liz | May 21, 2009, 10:58 am 10:58 am
I agree with the majority…I also do not like to “new” look and it is less friendly than previous. Change is good sometimes, but leave well enough alone.
Posted by: Jackie | May 21, 2009, 11:05 am 11:05 am
I do not like it
It is toooooo busy
Keep it simple and make it plain.
To difficult to find what I am looking for. Make it practical!!!!!!!!!!!!
Not artistic, and since I am an artist I can say that!!!!
Posted by: J Carter | May 21, 2009, 11:17 am 11:17 am
Way too busy and overloaded, there’s no place for the eye to rest – remember, a little white space is a good thing. Liked the old site much better. Switching to other news sites.
Posted by: Eibhlin | May 21, 2009, 11:21 am 11:21 am
The changes are extensive, but for me it is just too much. The best part of the old site was the list of stories that dominated the main page. Now there is all of this insane clutter. It is too busy and too frantic. This the news after all — not a tabloid.
Posted by: John Natali | May 21, 2009, 11:27 am 11:27 am
I don’t care for the new format, it is much harder to find things and too busy. But what I really don’t like is the overload of “video” stories. I log on because I prefer to READ the news. If all I wanted was to view your TV pieces and ads, I would just be watching TV instead. Many times you will have an intriguing headline for a video story, and no corresponding written story, so I have to wait until later or go to another news site to read about it. You should have both available for those who prefer written content an the ability to comment.
Posted by: iamwomaninMI | May 21, 2009, 11:33 am 11:33 am
Greatly prefer the former layout.
Posted by: pas | May 21, 2009, 11:36 am 11:36 am
Sorry…don’t like it. Not as user friendly, and over stimulating to the eyes. Please go back to the old format, as for now I’m checking CNN and ABC used to be my go-to site.
Posted by: Chris | May 21, 2009, 11:37 am 11:37 am
Do Not Like It at ALL. Put it back to the way it was.
You had it similar to this way before. It’s too busy, too overwhelming….
Posted by: Karen | May 21, 2009, 11:49 am 11:49 am
Luv it! You can’t please everybody! Some people are wound a little too tight anymore!!!
Posted by: Cella | May 21, 2009, 11:50 am 11:50 am
What happened to the On Campus page?
Posted by: student | May 21, 2009, 11:52 am 11:52 am
I do not like it at all. Look at MSNBC’s website to get some pointers. I love your shows but your website is absolutely horrible!
Posted by: Lesley | May 21, 2009, 11:55 am 11:55 am
much prefer former format. I have gone to other news sites, however, I keep checking back to see if you have gone back to previous layout. Soon, I will stop checking. Thank you.
Posted by: V | May 21, 2009, 11:58 am 11:58 am
I do not like this, it seems cluttered and is not attractive as the other one.
Posted by: Mellissa | May 21, 2009, 11:58 am 11:58 am
Hate it. What part of “recession” don’t you guys get? People are DROPPING hi-speed connections and going back to dial-up. Your B.S. design change is graphic heavy. If I wanted to slow down my life, I’d turn on the T.V. and have my news read to me slowly by a talking head who’s qualifications are more about being pretty than they are about being intelligent.
Posted by: Alan | May 21, 2009, 11:58 am 11:58 am
Well, to be honest, I like the old format better. Sorry guys.
Posted by: LetsKeepItReal | May 21, 2009, 12:14 pm 12:14 pm
I don’t like it. Too much video. I want to read the article not wait and be forced to watch a commercial for each article. Not to mention scrambling to turn down the volume. Bring back the bullet list of headlines and let me choose what to read. If i want video I will turn on the TV.
Posted by: binziz | May 21, 2009, 12:29 pm 12:29 pm
I hate the new layout. Confusing and not as user friendly as previous.
Posted by: TERESA | May 21, 2009, 12:32 pm 12:32 pm
I truly dislike your new format. Why so many photos? Do you think – Americans can’t read so let’s give them pictures to look at. I moved away from picture books years ago.
It getting closer and closer to a tabloid site. I used to like coming to this site.
Posted by: meb | May 21, 2009, 12:32 pm 12:32 pm
Don’t like it – liked the previous format much better.
Posted by: Miriam | May 21, 2009, 12:45 pm 12:45 pm
hey, no matter what you do, it’s always great and on the forefront of cutting edge. LOVE how you have made this so visual for us visual types. keep up the always great work! you have – and always have had – the best news web site going!
Posted by: kim | May 21, 2009, 12:55 pm 12:55 pm
Wah, wah, wah. Some people just can’t handle change. I like the new design, feels like there’s more stories on the page, less filler. I like the photos & the story topics up top. Don’t listen to the stick-in-the-muds who never want anything to change! (And please don’t copy MSNBC’s fugly design!!!)
Posted by: Danielle | May 21, 2009, 1:00 pm 1:00 pm
OK ABC….let’s see if you’re listening. Certainly you can’t please everyone, but with just a few exceptions all posts are extremely disappointed and not pleased with your “new and improved” format and want you to go back to the way it was. Wonder if you will listen to the public.
Posted by: bailee | May 21, 2009, 1:01 pm 1:01 pm
HATE IT. PREVIOUS FORMAT WAS SO MUCH BETTER. I HAVE SWITCHED BACK TO FOX. LOOKING AT ALL THE OTHER COMMENTS 99.9% AGREE NEW FORMAT IS AWEFUL
Posted by: jULIA | May 21, 2009, 1:02 pm 1:02 pm
Sorry to echo the majority, but I liked it the way it was as well. This WAS my home page – I could find all the pertinent info quickly and easily and if I wanted additional info, it was readily accessible. I’m all for change and updating a look – but if it’s not broken – please don’t fix it.
Posted by: Kate | May 21, 2009, 1:05 pm 1:05 pm
Hate it. HATE it. Everything is jumbled together. Nothing stands out. I couldn’t care less about the GMA recipe of the day. Too much video. If I wanted video I’d watch TV.
Posted by: Me | May 21, 2009, 1:19 pm 1:19 pm
Love all the video at the top!
Posted by: fan | May 21, 2009, 1:47 pm 1:47 pm
Guess I’m in the minority here but I like it. The videos are great. It’s 2009, not 2004 people. Go read a dead-tree newspaper if bright colors confuse you.
Posted by: Becca | May 21, 2009, 1:52 pm 1:52 pm
Who do you guys think you are? Facebook? A lot of people hate the Facebook redesign but they have no where else to go. Followers of ABCNews, on the other hand, can head to CNN, MSNBC, CBS and hundreds of other sites. Advice: listen to your viewers – simplify the site. I go to this site to read news, not to scroll through a picture book.
Posted by: Greg | May 21, 2009, 2:08 pm 2:08 pm
I think you intentions were good, but you fell short on execution. You may have ‘improved’ your fonts but this new site is definitely less readable than the old one. In the middle of the page, your pictures steal the spotlight away from your Top News Headlines. Also everyone thinks your site is cluttered because there is not a clear division between sections. Everything just sort of blends together.
Posted by: Meghan | May 21, 2009, 3:35 pm 3:35 pm
I agree with those who aren’t happy about the new design. Visually stunning? Yes, but so what? We log on to the page to find NEWS stories quickly and decide which we want to read. The “pretty face” should be saved for Entertainment Weekly (if it has a site).
Posted by: Joel | May 21, 2009, 3:42 pm 3:42 pm
ABC…I love the redesign. The Website is now so much easier to use and I get what I am looking for much quicker!!!
Great job Disney Web team!
Posted by: Tyrone | May 21, 2009, 4:22 pm 4:22 pm
I find it funny and a little sad that a fake news site like the onion is more navigable than abcnews.
Posted by: Jon Stewart | May 21, 2009, 4:37 pm 4:37 pm
Now that the whiny crowd of workers wasting company time and money have had their word, I would like to share mine.
I love the new design. It is so much cleaner and more fresh. It is much easier to navigate, especially the hover-over effect on the section tabs. The search actually works! Before there were just way too many results and no way to narrow them down. The one thing that has always bothered me is that the weather and stock widgets are at the very bottom of the page. You should create like a “light” version of each of those widgets that you could put at the top of the front page that would make it much easier to get stocks and weather at glance.
All and all, the new design is sooo much more modern. I liked the old design, but now that I’ve seen the new one, I could never go back. Thank you ABC News!
Posted by: Ethan | May 21, 2009, 5:53 pm 5:53 pm
Those of you who hate anything that looks good, and just want the raw news, just use the RSS feed, either in your web browser, or in a widget of your choice.
Posted by: Ethan | May 21, 2009, 5:57 pm 5:57 pm
I don’t like it one bit, I don’t even feel like looking at it anymore. It was much easier to find stuff on the old site.
Posted by: Rose | May 21, 2009, 6:22 pm 6:22 pm
I don’t like it at all. Too busy. Real news all mixed up with corny stories.Get rid of the advertisements before every video. It’s torture to have to wait through them to see only a brief few words. It was better the old way. Visually stunning? Way too high an opinion of yourself.
Posted by: sallie day | May 21, 2009, 9:45 pm 9:45 pm
Perhaps there are still “bugs” to be worked out, but I can’t see posts on some of the items nor are they posting my comments. Strange.
Posted by: CG | May 21, 2009, 10:53 pm 10:53 pm
Rose are you serious? It is SOOOO much easier to find stuff now! About time too! I could never find what i was was looking for before. this is much better!
Posted by: sara | May 21, 2009, 11:01 pm 11:01 pm
your best set-up was two or three set-ups ago when the videosfrom GMA , Nightline and world news were readily accessable -
why have all the garbage here at the news site ?- it is cluttered
Posted by: David | May 21, 2009, 11:09 pm 11:09 pm
I prefer the previous set up. It gave a brief scrolling preview of all the stories with out the busy looking homepage. Don’t like this new look very much.
Posted by: Venus | May 21, 2009, 11:57 pm 11:57 pm
1) The left-to-right movement of the top band is too busy. HLN (television) has changed to a vertical folding or overlay type crawl on the bottom of the TV and it is much easier to read. The one here is way too distracting with all the screen movement.
2) I liked the previous home page that used flash or something to rotate images from the top 8 or 10 stories. The home page was dynamic, but not distracting, and story headlines were all in one place and easy to read. Now I have to page down my screen to read the headlines (which means: I don’t read them).
3) Move the stock index ticker to the top part of the page, and redesign it to use less screen real estate.
4) As a technical matter, this page I am typing this on does not scale properly when I am using anything but small screen-font sizes. This comment box partially disappears and there is no scroll bar.
In sum, the redesign is akin to a move by a Knight on a chessboard, one step to the side and two backwards.
Posted by: One Who Cares | May 22, 2009, 12:19 am 12:19 am
For several months I have been checking several news sites each morning as I start my day. Sadly, abcnews.com just keeps getting worse and worse. It is at the point where I have to be bored to tears to click on the site. It is a great shame because Charles Gibson is great. The worst thing about the site has nothing to do with the unbelievably bad design. It is the fact that items sit on the site in the different categories for WEEKS if not MONTHS before the contents are changed. I can’t believe anybody is really managing the site except to throw the latest stories on top of the old stuff. So we will see about all this site hype. But I’m not holding my breath.
Posted by: Jane Bramwell | May 22, 2009, 4:13 am 4:13 am
ABC News is going to be the Katie Couric of news sites. Hope you guys enjoy playing third fiddle behind NBC and CBS!
Posted by: anon | May 22, 2009, 8:01 am 8:01 am
Thank You! I can finaly read your site. The headlines were so tiny before and always moving. Everythings much easier to read now
Posted by: shirley | May 22, 2009, 9:57 am 9:57 am