This last week I have had the misfortune of stumbling across 2 very inaccurate, ineffectual and “ugly” websites.
Firstly, the British High Commision. I’m busy applying for a work visa for my hubby … and being the planner that I am I thoroughly researched all the rules & reg’s that were published under the “visa guidance” section. I sent off the application content in the knowledge that I had followed every instruction to the letter.
Four weeks later and I called to follow up and am politely informed (they are British after all) that they require my original marraige certificate. Apparently it is a legal requirement. I scratch my head … quite certain that I wouldn’t have sent a certified copy if it wasn’t allowed. Low and behold … there in black & white in several places on the official government website … “either originals or certified copies must be sent with your application”. Aha! So I phone the official back – send the website link – and query the need for me to send through the original. Oh no she said – that is a mistake. (??) So why put incorrect information on your website??
Panic ensued as I realised that with less than 2 weeks to go until we were due to leave NZ for the UK … my marriage certificate was in South Africa in the custody of my parents!
And this is where the next useless website comes into play …
My mom sends the document off with a courier on the 18/05. She sends me the website address and tracking number (it’s a track and trace service) so I can keep tabs on it. 3 days delivery time they tell her.
To cut a long story short … the certificate arrived in NZ today (27/05).
The last update on the website is from the 19/05 and says the document was in JHB?
I’m not sure what happened to the “track & trace” functionality … but why put an online service on your website if it doesn’t work properly.
It’s just annoying!!
Your website is a reflection of your business … and if you can’t get the website right … what does they say about the rest of your service?
This is one of those rental car stories that Jean wrote of. If it wasn’t so pathetic you’d want to cry, but instead we blog and have a jolly good laugh.
So in the spirit of Jean’s story and how it got going, tell us who the courier company was Simone?
Oh alright then … twist my arm … Speed Services Couriers.
Sadly – “speed” was not the order of the day.
So why don’t companies get this? Get the fact that web services are like real services. When they don’t work, it’s not like their customers don’t get really angry in a virtual world. They get angry in a real world. Just cos you can’t see me getting angry, doesn’t mean I’m not angry. I’m sympathetic to sites going down and links not working, but not when there’s obviously not much thought, effort or energy going into a web strategy. Web strategies are becoming more real than brick and mortar strategies in many industries. Airlines are a good example. They’ve now done what they need to, to get rid of the travel agents, but they better make sure their sites work and are up, cos now it’s just you and me buddy.
So what of the visa?
Yes – exactly! A website is not just about some pretty colours and logos.
It needs to functional!
The visa … well, dispite the inaccurate information posted on the British HC website (humph) – their staff have been helpful! They actually went hunting around the deliveries room every day until it arrived. (Possibly
prompted by the sound of panic in my voice.)
It’s supposed to be processed today. I wait with baited breath …