A
Grand Affair
Hello,
Previously
I have done my "@ First Glance", with the fashion aspect of
life in mind. If you do not know of this/ know how this works, please
see this introductory fashion blog. Thankz
Today I am viewing it at a different angle than usual, and taking it
to a new level! I am expanding the idea, to include different "Life
online" aspects. This is called "@ 1st Glance –
Connecting" # 1, and this first exploration is a bit of a
"double whammy". I am bringing this to you as a "wild
wicked women – creative collective" member within my group,
and in support of others that also fit the description.
I recently had the pleasure,
of meeting two of the ladies involved with the site called Creative
Enterprise. This is a great little resource site, that many look past
or forget about. I came across it some time ago now, and I am sad to
say that I too had forgotten about it. So this was a lucky reminder,
as Creative Enterprise started an initiative that is a relatively new
social site called Grand Social.
This
is where I am exploring today... Ready? (^^^)
Upon
clicking the link to Creative Enterprise:
What do I see on their
home page?
That my friends, will be a seperate blog coming
soon.
Link will be attached here once done... (^^^)
&
Upon
clicking the link to Grand Social:
What do I see on their home
page?
Step 1: Site Finding/
Exploration
GCP:
It's introduction at the top states:
"Welcome to Grand Social Your VOICE for what's happening across
Waterloo Region". This seems to be a regional social calendar
site, much like "the Echo" use to be. Checking just under
the introduction I find at the bottom Right a note, that tells us
it's an initiative of Creative Enterprise. Then there are tabs, that
lead into the start of the page and it's searchable links. Here we
find tabs for events, blogs, people, places, and resources.
Below this the page hosts a calendar and posts of events,
opportunities, projects, and even some more Creative Enterprise
initiatives that are also resources in the right side column. After
all these posts there is yet another section, simply called "More".
Here I find a Google map with a search bar to find locations within
our region, that is a good viewing size, and spans across the width
of the page.
Still more is below this!
There are 4 pics/ links to local places, like features or sponsorship
I'm not sure. Either way, nice to see. Then the page ends with a dark
section that includes links, reviews the tabs in their different
categories, provides a brief discription of Grand Social with the
opportunity to join, and includes Creative Enterprises logo. Pretty
good "beef" if you ask me!
=
Step 2: Homepage
Disection
Face Factor (FF) & Grinzzz Vision (GV)
FF
given:
~ Great to see the introduction explains the page! This is
surprisingly, commonly missing.
~ Explains also right away that
it's an initiative of another company. GREAT to know!
~
For what you can search, this may be a similar set up to other sites
like Facebook but there's an apparent difference already. With tabs
to search for these things instead of a general search bar/ searching
others' pages for blog sharing/ notes, it can be a much easier way to
find what you're looking for.
~
Local events, opportunities, and projects to attend/ participate are
not always easy to find or advertise. As great communicably as it
is, even Facebook has flaws here. Also with unwanted ads and fees
coming into play; many slow frequency of visits/ use, and noone wants
to pay.
~
A calendar being easily accessible on the front page, is always
handy.
~
Love the Google map right on the front page with the calendar. This
is a great addition that comes in handy, and won't be missed by those
of us who look past the posts. Seems all that's missing is the
calculator. Lol
~
The dark section explaining the tabs categories is nice to know.
&
GV
given:
~
Having more resources from the same company that brings this site to
us (the general public) is great to see! As this can stir more
interest with both this site (Grand Social), as well as the parent
site (Creative Enterprise), and the sites of the links shared here!
Also great to know of!!! I love seeing things like this, it shows me
quality! Mmm... Yummy Beef with Gravy! (^^^)
~ The opportunity to
join being in the dark section is great! This encourages visitors to
go all the way to the bottom, and thus visit/ check out more for
longer. More gravy please. (^^^)
=
Step
3: ~ Le Fini ~
The Summing:
Upon
GCPing this site, it is found to have an FF of 7, with a GV of
2.
&
Thinking of my own site, as I am currently working on
a new one... I am not sure if the 4 local pics/ links near the bottom
might better serve the page, if relocated to between the tabs and
start of the posts shared. Not sure where I would put them either.
So
there we go, the first of this blog kind for me. As I journey on
through life, I hope to find the time to do more like this. It was a
pleasant exploratative adventure today! Thankz for
listening!
&
Thankz ladies who introduced me to this Grand
Social site! You know who you are... (^^^)
Feel
free to share!
Sincerely,
TtD/ C.E.S. (*@^@*)
.
