When I click on 'Sell on eBid', the first thing I have to do is choose a category.
This is nuts! [cough] Er, sorry, what I mean is: this could be improved!
Sure, it's fine in many situations. If I want to list some stamps, obviously 'Stamps' is the right category. If I'm listing some books, 'Books, Comics & Magazines' is a no-brainer.
But this has been designed by a programmer. The first step, as far as a programmer is concerned, is to place the listing in a category and then drill down for additional detail. As a programmer myself I understand how natural this is. But the USER just knows about the item he wants to sell.
If I want to sell birthday cards, do I choose 'Sports Memorabilia & Cards' (supposing I even notice that category)? Probably not. Do I want 'Crafts'? My cards aren't handmade, so no. Maybe I want 'Whatever's Left'?
On another well known site the problem doesn't exist. The first thing I'm invited to do is ENTER MY (provisional) TITLE. And then the site SUGGESTS some appropriate categories. While also leaving me free to choose other categories.
For example, if I enter 'birthday cards' as my title I get suggestions:
* Home, Furniture & DIY > Celebrations & Occasions > Cards & Stationery
* Wholesale & Job Lots > Greeting Cards/Stationery
* Wholesale & Job Lots > Other Wholesale & Job Lots
* Crafts > More Crafts > Other Crafts
and I can also go instead to:
Recently used categories
Search categories
Browse categories
Please please please think about the problem from the USER's point of view.