Open forum day …. any suggestions for tweaking the site?

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On January 1st last year I ran an ‘open forum’ where I opened up the comments to ideas on tweaking the site. It worked well so I thought I would try it again.

I have continued to change various elements of the site here and there throughout 2014, although many were small changes which on their own don’t really get noticed. I also added an Instagram site and there is a big overhaul of the daily emails ready to go which will be launched in the next couple of days.

In terms of content, it is now proving a lot easier to get companies to donate competition prizes to the site. If you like what I have given away in 2014, you will be very impressed by what I have to offer during January. There will be a big announcement on Saturday to kick off the year in style.

However, I am fully aware that there is an element of ‘snow blindness’ in what I do. After all, I look at the site every day for a considerable period of time, and I can only second-guess how you, the readers, respond to the different elements.

As we start a new year, I’d like to open up the floor to any suggestions you have about the site. Remember that I need to cater for two audiences at the same time – the regular readers and the hundreds of people who come here via Google each day and who I want to convert into regular readers.

Is it clear to a newcomer what the site is about and why they should keep on reading it?

Are there too many menus at the top of the page? Too few?

Are there too many ads? (Probably not, most sites would run ads inside posts as well, which I don’t)

Are the sidebars too confusing? Should I push the social media links more?

Should there be more ‘sticky’ information for newcomers?

Does the mix of content – which veers from Tesco deals to airline deals to credit card sign-up offers – work for you?

Is the mix of news versus ‘reference / background’ articles (eg ‘How to use Combine My Avios with Iberia’) right?

Does the current format of running a fixed number of stories at fixed times every day – with a ‘lead’ story and two less important ones below – work for you?

If there is anything about the way the site currently looks that annoys or confuses you, or if you have any ideas for improvements, please post below. You can also email me at rob at headforpoints.com if you’d prefer.

Anything from your dislike of how I punctuate the headlines in the sidebars through to ideas for new ‘sticky’ pages are welcome – no idea is too small. And, to be honest, small changes are easier to implement than large changes ….

Thank you, and a Happy New Year for 2015.

Category

General

This article is closed to new posts. Discussion continues in the HfP Forums.

blenz101 says:

1 Jan1 January 13:16

I’ll probably be shot down as it seems anything vaguely critical towards HfP brings out the militant genuflectors….but I’d like to see some clarity around the embedded referral links. Almost every post will have a link, but its rarely if ever disclosed what Raffles is getting from these. I recall seeing in the comments of one post Raffles mentioning that he’d got 80+ SPG Amex referrals in one month alone.
- Martin Clarke says:
  
  2 Jan2 January 09:58
  
  What does it matter what he gets? They cost nothing and if they help make HFP better then it’s win win all round. Not shooting you down at all, just curious as to why it ahod matter to anyone?
Dev says:

1 Jan1 January 13:19

I like the current tone of the content. You push the credit card links and referral bonuses in a gentle and very British style….unlike some of your american competitors where they would be recommending Chase this, Citibank that blah blah 3-4 times a week.
John Marty says:

1 Jan1 January 13:34

Several of the previous posters have mentioned how many hundreds of thousands of Avios they have accumulated this year. How about profiling a few of these people, maybe anonymously, and breakdown which programmes and processes they followed. What worked well and what didn’t. Anyway I love you posts and look forward to reading them every morning with my coffee. Keep up the great work. Happy New Year
Matt says:

1 Jan1 January 13:59

Perhaps detect Adblocking software and prompt readers to disable it on this site to help fund it?
mike sanders says:

1 Jan1 January 14:05

It’s fine just the way it is even though most of it doesn’t concern me as I live in Hong Kong I enjoy all of it.
JamesWag says:

1 Jan1 January 14:07

This is by far the most sensibly managed and organised site that I visit & its a wonderful breath of fresh air.
Its working perfectly and when that’s the case it should be kept as-is.

You do a great job and people are more inclined to use your site and follow your advert links BECAUSE they aren’t thrust down our throats !

The only thing I’d change is perhaps adding a few pairs of boobs each day. Everyone loves boobs and there’s not enough on the internet yet 🙂
Graeme says:

1 Jan1 January 14:44

Happy New Year to you and yours, Rob.

Not much more to add to all of the comments made already – great site, the 3 early morning emails are required reading, as are the follow up comments. Broad enough range of topics and themes.

The email just before Christmas was timely – a family holiday for Hawaii in July has now been booked in business class (cheaper than economy!) using the BA ex-UK CW sale has. On return, my wife and 2 kids will all be BA Silver – they all thank you greatly!

Here’s to a great 2015.
Martin says:

1 Jan1 January 15:18

Keep up the good work Raffles! More of the same in 2015. Can you share some tips on making the most of ITA Matrix? Also the best way to gain Oneworld status for when Cathay gold expires?
- needroos says:
  
  2 Jan2 January 00:05
  
  +1
- Polly says:
  
  2 Jan2 January 00:31
  
  Martin, see my comment below re keeping sapphire status….