The Questionnaire

Thank you for participating in this research. By completing the online questionnaire you are making a valuable contribution to post-graduate research into successful web design for British e-commerce sites. It should only take a few minutes to do. Please click on the appropriate buttons below to select your answers, then hit the "Submit my response now" button at the bottom when you're finished.

Please only complete this questionnaire if:
  • your primary occupation is web design/development, AND
  • your design work is primarily for small or medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)

If you are a business manager but not a web designer/developer, please fill in this questionnaire

If you are both the business manager and web designer of a company (other than a web design company), please fill in this questionnaire

If you've come directly to this page and would like more information about the research, here's a link to the home page.

 

First – a quick question about you...

What is your occupation/job title? (E.g. web designer, webmaster)

...and a quick question about your work

Please tick the box below to confirm that your design work is primarily for SMEs - fewer than 250 employees, turnover below €50m (£35m), balance sheet total below €43m (£30m).

I work primarily for SMEs

About your work

1. Who do you work for?

Web design company Other company Freelance

Other (please specify)

If you're working on several e-commerce websites, please answer questions 2-7 giving your general impressions.

2. How much input does the business manager commissioning the website have into the appearance of your e-commerce website(s)?

None A little
(basic specs)		 A fair amount
(general look and feel)		 A lot
(extensive detailed input)

3. How much input does the business manager have into the functions of your e-commerce website(s)? (i.e. how it works and what it does)

None A little
(basic specs)		 A fair amount
(broad comment on individual functions) 		A lot
(extensive detailed input)

4. Does the business manager ever ask you to make any changes to the appearance of your site(s)?

No, never Yes, rarely Yes, sometimes Yes, frequently

5. Does the business manager ever ask you to change the functions offered by your site(s)?

No, never Yes, rarely Yes, sometimes Yes, frequently

6. How do you and the business manager usually resolve any differences of opinion on the appearance and functions of the website?

We do it my way We compromise I give the manager what he asks for We have never had differences

Other (please specify):

7. Who is responsible for usability testing your e-commerce website(s)?

I am Business manager Both of us together External party

Other (please specify):

   

Your opinions

8. Please state how strongly you agree or disagree with the following statements:

  Strongly
agree 		Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly
disagree
a) An e-commerce website has to be visually appealing to be successful
b) These days customers expect to be entertained while they are buying
c) Web design decisions are too important to be left to designers alone
d) Customers no longer want glitter - they want content and service, and they want it fast
e) Business managers have a key role in ensuring that their e-commerce website is easy to use
f) Designers are paid to design and they should be allowed to get on with it
g) Website usability should be a component of all business management university courses
           

9. Which factors contribute most to the success of an e-commerce venture? Please give them marks out of 10.

a) Effective advertising
b) Good customer service
c) Quality of the product sold
d) Website's ease of use
e) Website's entertainment value
f) Website's visual appeal

About you

10. How long have you been a web designer?

Less than a year 1-2 years 2-5 years More than 5 years

11. Do you have any formal training in web design?

Yes, a lot Yes, a little No

12. Do you have any training in website usability specifically?

Yes, a lot Yes, a little No

 

Please use the space below if you have any additional comments:

Many thanks for your time in participating in this research.

 

Optional: If you are willing to take part in any follow-up studies, please enter your email address in the box below.
(NB This means that the raw data you supply will be identifiable as coming from you - this is necessary if the follow up work is to have any real meaning. Your privacy will be respected - no individual or company will be named in my report without their prior express written permission.)

Email address:

 

 

Kay McMahon, Final Year MSc e-Business student, Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen, Scotland

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