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I'm just going to pass along a story of something that just happened, since it's directly related to finding things on the Paizo site and more specifically the Pathfinder Society section.
I have heard from more than one friend how much they hate trying to navigate the Paizo site. I've talked to one of them, and they're pretty sure that it's because it's set up like a store, and that it's not well equipped to handle getting at specific non-product pages. I've never really thought much about what he has had to say since although I'm not a huge fan of the overall layout of the site, I've learned how to navigate it fairly well and don't have many problems anymore. I do though understand their frustrations.
Therein comes the interesting part. I realized today we're all too used to seeing the Paizo layout and may not realize just how poor the layout can be at times. A friend of mine wanted to send an acquaintance a link to some of his local Pathfinder Society games. I looked up his zip code and sent him the page. The problem is that the events page with a specific lookup doesn't translate to a link well, so he took it upon himself to try to find the "How to find a Society Event" link.
Ten minutes later he said that he couldn't find it.
I went over to see what he was looking up, and he kept looking up "events" in the "search" bar on the right side of the page. Never once did it dawn on him that the "Pathfinder Society" badge was a button to the page. Once I indicated it was, he still had trouble immediately finding the "Find an Event" link.
I wonder how much we're used to seeing the site that we don't realize that other users, especially those who are a little less computer savvy might have trouble navigating the site. Not complaining or anything, just relaying an event that I found quite interesting.
Therein comes the interesting part. I realized today we're all too used to seeing the Paizo layout and may not realize just how poor the layout can be at times. A friend of mine wanted to send an acquaintance a link to some of his local Pathfinder Society games. I looked up his zip code and sent him the page. The problem is that the events page with a specific lookup doesn't translate to a link well, so he took it upon himself to try to find the "How to find a Society Event" link.
I think pretty much everyone realizes how bad the usability of the site is. It's just that most people don't really care, because it kind of works most of the time, and there are more important problems such as the slowness of the site.
Also, if they had the money for a usability expert the site would be fixed already, and if they don't, I doubt a forum post will make the money magically appear ;)
Somewhere in the dark recesses of the sublevels at Paizo HQ is a map. At first glance, this map appears to be the map of a complex multi-level dungeon. A look at the room list, however, reveals one of Paizo's most closely held secrets. "Home Page, Paizo Blog, Web Fiction, Pathfinder RPG, Pathfinder Society, Forum Levels, Product Schedule" and so on.
Yes, folks, the Paizo website is, in fact, designed to be a dungeon.
Yes, folks, the Paizo website is, in fact, designed to be a dungeon.
While I can usually find what I'm looking for eventually, I have to admit navigating the Paizo site also sometimes seems like a case of no lights, and a sign on the door saying "Beware of the Leopard". Though the stairs are there.
Thanks for letting us know about your problems. We're always looking at how to improve site navigation, but as Aberzombie pointed out, the longer you've been here, the move you know your way around, and this includes staff, which means we can overlook certain problems if not reminded.
Please continue to let us know what you have difficulty locating, or what your friends and relations who are newer to the site have trouble finding, or what links you want to share but can't because they connected to your login, or whatever other trouble you have. It's what this forum is for, after all.
I went over to see what he was looking up, and he kept looking up "events" in the "search" bar on the right side of the page. Never once did it dawn on him that the "Pathfinder Society" badge was a button to the page.
Huh. It never occurred to me either! Apparently I've been doing it the hard way...
The easiest way is to always go left.:)
Oh wait that's a dungeon.