54 replies to this topic

[84 City E]

I'm going to  say I really dislike the new site.

 

I work with B2B's and a company website for the place i work and i know they can be frustrating and none do everything you want/need.

 

But the old mini spares site was one of the better ones to use. This new one seems to have a lot less functionality and i assume from my own companies systems has cost a fair chunk to buy into.

 

Was this a decision forced on the company due to outdated software or was it done as a supposed 'improvement' ?

 

I would like to see the old website back in action if im honest

[ings]

I miss on some articles the information about which set a part is included in or the exact details of which individual parts are present in a set.

Edited by ings, 05 December 2024 - 10:32 AM.

[alpder]

Oooh... a link to the manuals is back! Happy days. Thanks Simon/Gav

 

The biggest problem is the deletion of the link which takes you from a part in the shop direct to the drawing in the manual. That was useful and was what so distinguished the MiniSpares website from the Somerford and MiniSports sites. Now there's nothing really to tell the three sites apart - it feels like they're all now powered by slightly tweaked versions of the same software. Polished. But less functional.

 

The manual's tree layout means the user needs to make multiple correct clicks to navigate down to a specific part. That's pretty slow, even if you get all the clicks right first time. Which mostly you don't what with the manual's curious foibles. Such as, if you want to see the the drawing for a 1959 front seat, you get there via the "1985-2000 Mechanical Parts" manual. Who'd have guessed

 

If the link isn't coming back, then how about a search-the-manual facility which allows us to enter a part number and go direct to the relevant drawings?

Edited by alpder, 05 December 2024 - 11:41 AM.

[84 City E]

My biggest hope is that the info on the old site wasnt lost and can be transferred to the new site. All the catalougues, exploded drawings, links to the parts and assemblies direct, this was organic and sensible upselling

 

What is not helpful is the upselling below the part you look at of vaguely related products on the new website

 

It would be a real shame if with the switching over all the notes on part fitment, best and better quality and direct link part number on the exploded diagram index were lost

 

In fact id go so far as to say it means, as stated above, that mini spares site is now no different to say Somerfield etc etc and doesnt give us much incentive t use them over a different parts supplier. 

 

Sometimes newer is NOT better

 

Would it be possible to leave the old site up and in place but turn ordering off so we can at least use the good features and then just order the bits we want on the new site?

Edited by 84 City E, 05 December 2024 - 11:13 AM.

[68+86auto]

I haven't found any features missing in the new site, it seems fine.

[84 City E]

I haven't found any features missing in the new site, it seems fine.

Am i missing something then?

 

When we selected a part before, below it would come up with diagrams with all parts indexed with clickable links to take us to all associated area parts. I cannot see/find this feature on the new site

[gav]

The biggest problem is the deletion of the link which takes you from a part in the shop direct to the drawing in the manual. That was useful and was what so distinguished the MiniSpares website from the Somerford and MiniSports sites. Now there's nothing really to tell the three sites apart - it feels like they're all now powered by slightly tweaked versions of the same software. Polished. But less functional.

 

The manual's tree layout means the user needs to make multiple correct clicks to navigate down to a specific part. That's pretty slow, even if you get all the clicks right first time. Which mostly you don't what with the manual's curious foibles. Such as, if you want to see the the drawing for a 1959 front seat, you get there via the "1985-2000 Mechanical Parts" manual. Who'd have guessed

 

If the link isn't coming back, then how about a search-the-manual facility which allows us to enter a part number and go direct to the relevant drawings?

 

 

I think a lot of people are looking at products that don't currently have the manual drawings yet (we are working on these!) Have a look here for example PETROL TANK RETAINER RING FOR SENDER UNIT SEAL - Mini Spares  "manual pages with this product" is available as well as the kits that contain the item etc. Give it some time whilst we iron out all the issues :)

[gav]

I miss on some articles the information about which set a part is included in or the exact details of which individual parts are present in a set.

 

REAR SUBFRAME BOLTS AND BUSHES ONLY FITTING KIT PRE 1976 - Mini Spares

 

Scroll down and it lists all the parts in the kit individually :)

[84 City E]

 

The biggest problem is the deletion of the link which takes you from a part in the shop direct to the drawing in the manual. That was useful and was what so distinguished the MiniSpares website from the Somerford and MiniSports sites. Now there's nothing really to tell the three sites apart - it feels like they're all now powered by slightly tweaked versions of the same software. Polished. But less functional.

 

The manual's tree layout means the user needs to make multiple correct clicks to navigate down to a specific part. That's pretty slow, even if you get all the clicks right first time. Which mostly you don't what with the manual's curious foibles. Such as, if you want to see the the drawing for a 1959 front seat, you get there via the "1985-2000 Mechanical Parts" manual. Who'd have guessed

 

If the link isn't coming back, then how about a search-the-manual facility which allows us to enter a part number and go direct to the relevant drawings?

 

 

I think a lot of people are looking at products that don't currently have the manual drawings yet (we are working on these!) Have a look here for example PETROL TANK RETAINER RING FOR SENDER UNIT SEAL - Mini Spares  "manual pages with this product" is available as well as the kits that contain the item etc. Give it some time whilst we iron out all the issues :)

 

I Happily take back all my moaning then, thanks you.

 

But i do have one question, and its parts of how i deal with the B2B site at my own work.

 

Why have the new site go live without having all the links and manuals and connected parts in place first?

 

I know if we had launched without the features we have then our customers would kick up merry hell. Would it have been a hardship to wait until it was fully functional to switch over?

 

Not moaning , genuinely interested 

[PoolGuy]

My first thought are that I like it, I find it easier to navigate than the old site. 

[ings]

 

I miss on some articles the information about which set a part is included in or the exact details of which individual parts are present in a set.

 

REAR SUBFRAME BOLTS AND BUSHES ONLY FITTING KIT PRE 1976 - Mini Spares

 

Scroll down and it lists all the parts in the kit individually :)

 

 

https://www.minispar...-arm-repair-kit

scroll down and you find nothing...

[gav]

 

 

I miss on some articles the information about which set a part is included in or the exact details of which individual parts are present in a set.

 

REAR SUBFRAME BOLTS AND BUSHES ONLY FITTING KIT PRE 1976 - Mini Spares

 

Scroll down and it lists all the parts in the kit individually :)

 

 

https://www.minispar...-arm-repair-kit

scroll down and you find nothing...

 

 

That item is bought in as one complete unit not picked from stocked parts that's why, old website was the same on this part :)

[stuart bowes]

I feel like if this was some sort of top priority site where people urgently need a quick service it would be more of a concern to have it immediately fully functional

But for car parts on a 30 year old car where most people have them as 2nd or 3rd cars / project cars / Sunday drivers I think we can give them a bit of leeway on time to get it up and running right

They're probably adding bits at a time and testing it as they go which takes time

It's not like it's the NHS home page or something is it

Edited by stuart bowes, 05 December 2024 - 02:50 PM.

[andyapanel]

I can’t get in.
It won’t accept my details and the captcha says I keep getting it wrong.
I may have to switch my order to a friendlier website !

[[email protected]]

I can’t get in.
It won’t accept my details and the captcha says I keep getting it wrong.
I may have to switch my order to a friendlier website !

 

Can you PM me your details?