SiriusAddict.com

I figured I might as well do a usability study on Sirius Satellite Radio’s website, too, since I did one for XM and found the site not usable. Here it goes – quick and dirty, though.

The Bad

-No Search Engine, but offers a SIte Map
-Vertical Scrolling
-Extensive use of Flash, with no HTML alternative (Flash loads too quickly and link to click for Non-Flash version appears so quick that it doesn’t give user a chance to click it.) Alternatively, offers no remorse because that’s the only link to the HTML site.
- URL’s for the site are all cached. If a user wants to find a portion of the site easily, the URL’s must remain under 65 characters or so. Sirius does do this, but it’s not present to the normal user. For example to go to Sirius Chill, you could type in http://www.sirius.com/Chill, but instead it changes the URL to http://www.sirius.com/servlet/ContentServer?pagename=Sirius/CachedPage&c=Channel&cid=1104779639934
which is not memorable.
- Overload of content on the main page. Too much information confuses the user and can drive the user away from the site.
- Redundant links on main index site. "Help?" in the top right corner links to the same place as "Contact Us" at the bottom of the site does.
- Links you clicked don’t change color due to use of Flash.

The Good

- Fresh and updated content
- Use of channel guides for each channel – you always know what’s on and who’s on.
- Fully supports the Mac platform
- Customer service is top notch and responds to inquires via e-mail in the time they say they will respond. Phone support is excellent, too.
- Logo in top left corner is linked back to main index.
- Good use of tiers. The majority of the content is no more than 3 clicks deep and a user can easily get back to the main page without hassle.
- Advertisements on main page are all in the same column (right column) and don’t interfere with content – won’t be mistaken for content by a user

Overall

Not a bad website, but a bit too heavy on the Flash. An HTML alternative (i.e. a link to the HTML alternative within the Flash site and not just in the preloader) would make the site better. The site is constantly updated with fresh content and is pretty navigable. I wouldn’t say it’s the best site out there, but it’s a lot better than XM Satellite Radio’s website.