I remember the Slashdot redesign and the Fark redesign too, and now this one. The general pattern is the site owners’ unwavering certainty that the redesign is great and everyone is wrong, in the face of vocal criticism from users. Remember “You’ll get over it”?
EDIT: I’d love to see actual measured metrics published showing a particular design change actually making sense. Is the new one faster for any particular task? Does it generate more signups? More revenue? Not saying these guys didn’t measure this, but publishing the results would be fascinating.
Is there an example of a site who rolled out a big redesign and then actually reversed course based on end user feedback?
One of the few aggressive, rapid turnabouts I've ever seen in the Internet space, was Netflix & Reid Hoffman absorbing the immense negative reaction about Qwikster and deciding to do the right thing and listen to their customers. Had they persisted and ignored the feedback, there would plausibly be no Netflix as we know it today (probably stomped by competitors given a big opening and or acquired).
EDIT: I’d love to see actual measured metrics published showing a particular design change actually making sense. Is the new one faster for any particular task? Does it generate more signups? More revenue? Not saying these guys didn’t measure this, but publishing the results would be fascinating.
Is there an example of a site who rolled out a big redesign and then actually reversed course based on end user feedback?