| Journal: TWUK | Section: |
| Title: | Issue Date: 17/07/00 |
| Author: | Page Number: 16 |
| Copyright: Other |
web site focus
Did you know?Internet facts and figuresn A domain name is a personal address on the Internet which belongs to you exclusively when you register and pay for it through one of the domain name registration companies. A memorable domain name is the best way to establish an on-line identity. Figures produced by Netnames at the beginning of this month, show there to be 17,766,825 domains registered worldwide. First you must check for domain name availability. You can perform a search with the registration company, or alternatively a WHOIS query is available for .co.uk domain names through Nominet UK (www.nominet.org.uk) and for .com, .net and .org domain names through Network Solutions (www.networksolutions.com). This enables you not only to find out whether a domain name is available, but also the organisation to which it is registered. Once you have established the name you wish to register is available, then fill out the registration form together with credit-card details on-line and await confirmation that you own the domain name.
This week: www.londoncityairport.com
Description
London City Airport first launched its Web site in 1997 to deliver information only.
Research last summer revealed that more than 75% of airport users were also active Internet users and there was a strong desire for on-line bookings and up-to-date timetable information. The site relaunched with an e-mail-based reservation system last September, followed by a fully interactive on-line booking facility last month. Since the upgrades the site has 11,500 monthly visitors with more than 630,000 page accesses. The airport forecasts a minimum £1m revenue over the next 12 months.
Home page
The home page downloaded swiftly and presented a three-frame layout. The left margin containing the airport address on a bright orange background with switchboard and contact numbers, plus the Queen’s Award to Industry logo.
A base frame contained clearly labelled buttons for the site’s navigation menu and comprised Schedules, Transport, Facilities, Hot News, Flight Times, E-Mail and Book Now. A Full Index button linked to a complete sub-menu of key site subject matter. The third and main area of the page comprised a simple welcome message, destination summary, feedback invitation and a banner promoting the site’s bookability and the airport’s new Jubilee Line link.
Ease of Navigation
The logical, clear layout inspired confidence, and it was easy to find answers on individual subjects. The cross-links from Schedules enquiry to booking links was nicely done. Some issues did arise however, when navigating within individual sections which produced niggly points – easily overcome by seasoned users, but possibly a challenge for others.
Ease of Searching
The search for flights and fares was both straightforward and powerful, building the search into a booking in seamless, logical steps.
The initial data entry allowed us to specify one way or return, number of travellers, flight times and dates. The choice of departure and arrival airports is of course restricted to those served by London City, with no choice of airline.
Searches could be prioritised by available departure time or by price. The resulting display, based on a real-time flight availability check, clearly presented all flight sectors and numbers available for selection. This final quotation for the selected flights was then displayed with flight numbers, aircraft type, flight distance, journey time and price plus tax and final total for the party booked.
Searching hotels was a similar process, with the functions to specify hotel grades, hotel company, room types , bed sizes, and in-room facilities. In almost all cases, an impressive selection of hotels in price order was displayed.
Ease of booking
Hotels as well as flights can be booked. Each is available through separate transactions, and both are handled within seven screen displays.
Once a final flight has been selected, a check box allowed us to confirm acceptance of any refund restrictions for the quotation. Continuing the booking enabled us to give party names and contact information, as well as confirm possession of valid passport and visa. A final summary screen is then displayed with an option to make the transaction, at which point the arrangements become binding as the availability check is converted into a firm booking.
Site Security
The site has security certificates via the VeriSign system and operates in a secure booking environment.
Nice touches
The Flight Times area is a replica of the airport departure and arrivals board, with up- to-the-minute flight status information. The airport has plans to have this data enabled for the new generation WAP mobile phones. Registration is optional, although the advantage of registration means that bookings are simpler.
Value of information
The extent and depth of information about the airport was very impressive. There is even a telephone number for the shoe shine facility. External links supplement the data given, for example with links to the London Underground site. Unfortunately, some of these were dead links at the time of our review.
There are some very clear graphics to show all possible routes to the airport – these were massively helpful and quick to access.
Would we return to the site?
Yes, the site is information rich. Unfortunately though, there are no commissionable business opportunities.
We felt that there was scope for the site to present itself as a virtual airline, opening up booking opportunities for travel agents rather than funnelling all Web business at gross fare rates to asingle source.