The Swiss Chalet website design keeps me coming back for more

Posted by Kathryn Lagden...

As an internet marketer I'm quick to criticize poor website design and frustrating usability. So I thought it only fair to sing the praises of a website that has consistently delighted me with its ease of use.

When I'm busy and the only thing left in the fridge is a box of baking soda and an empty jar of mustard, Swiss Chalet is my quick fix solution. My dietary choices might be questionable but it's so quick and easy to order online that I can't seem to stay out of the special dipping sauce. A walk through the process (my selections in bold)...

Step 1: 'Visit the Website' or 'Order Online'. (No menu surfing needed, after all I'm on first name terms with the driver)

Step 2: Select 'First time customer' or 'Returning Customer'. (and of course the returning customer log-in fields are pre-populated with my information)

Step 3: Welcome Kathryn. Is your delivery information correct? Links to change profile, add new profile, or click through to order

Step 4: Select 'Delivery' or 'Pick-up'

Step 5: Select 'Order Now' or 'Pre-order for later delivery'

Step 6: Select from the menu. There is a link for 'Place your last order on file'. I would prefer that it default to my last order and let me add/edit from there.

At first glance it seems like a lot of of clicks to get to your order. But each step is so simple and doesn't require any thought. I'm never guessing what is behind a click...it's all very obvious.

As a customer I much prefer a couple of extra clicks if it means the site can figure out what I'm looking for and take me quickly to the right page. Nothing worse than being hungry and faced with multiple ambiguous links on a page!

Care to share the website(s) that wows you with excellent usability?

Comments

[Linda St.Denis and Paul Doucet]

Dear Swiss Chalet, I wanted to tell you that Paul and I went to Swiss Chalet for dinner and really enjoyed the meal. The price was good, the service was fast and curtious and everything went well....except for the fact that we were extremely bothered by flies. Not just one but about six and they made it difficult to enjoy our meal. Linda St.Denis

[Maki Papadopoulos]

Kathryn, if you like the Swiss Chalet website design then I'm pretty sure you'll also like Second Cup's!

They look almost identical... especially their online contest pages! Take a look:

http://www.swisschalet.com/contest.php

http://www.secondcup.com/eng/contest_home.php

Maki Papadopoulos
http://maki.papadopoulos.net/blog

[Hotel website design]

This is a really good resource for website designer. It answers a number of questions I have had on my mind and it is very nicely written.

Good job!

[Mitchell]

There's quite a few websites that stick out in my mind, though two sites, for very different reasons that I draw attention to:

1. Vitamin Water - A clear, simple flash site that loads quickly and looks good on a number of mobile platforms (which I find a rarity).
2. Skittles - I'll be the first to admit they don't have the mass and the design is semi sloppy. What's important though - When's the last time anyone has seen a corporation embrace social to the degree they have - so far as to replace their homepage?

In the end, it comes to usability across a wide range of platforms, communication, aesthetics, and innovative design. Great post - Aloha!

[website design Los Angeles]

I am curious about this Swiss Chalet website design, i always heard good things about this.

-faith-

[Wholesale]

Excellent design and simple to use

[Web Designing Company New York]

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