KarmaKorn – Grow Good

12 thoughts on “KarmaKorn – Grow Good”

1. Feedback sought:

   Visit https://www.KarmaKorn.com. Is it immediately clear what we are about?

   Well, the tagline is…grow good! and there is a picture of a sun. So my first thought is that is it related to growing plants.  But then I see a picture of a young child with boxing gloves and belt.  So now I think it is about parenting or raising a child.  After reading all of the rest of the homepage, I think this site is about making a difference in the world.

   How do you like the user interface, navigation and usability of the site? Also comment on the color combinations and the logo of the site.

   To be perfectly honest, it doesn’t seem as professional as some.  It looks like a website that an average person created in html, versus being professionally done by a web developer.  Comments on the color scheme and logo can be found in my last section.

   Go to the KarmaKorn Facebook app. Do you understand it? Is it easy to use?

   I tried the KarmaKorn app, even though I am very hesitant about allowing apps to post on my wall and use my info. when I don’t have already have a trust developed for them. It appears that you “earn kernels” to share and there is a seed bank.  I clicked on John Best to read about Internet Neutrality.  It says statistics on it, but I still have no idea whatsoever what this app is about or what I am doing.  So confused!  All I know is that it has to do with corn kernels.  So I am starting to think this site is about growing plants again.  Is it?  It looks like people are “claiming” things and maybe it is like a discussion board, but it is not spelled out and I’m very confused.  I don’t see how I can use an app when I have no clue what is going on.  The links on the far left appear to be about the green movement.  But still no clue what the app does or how the site is used.
   I give it one thumb’s down for having no instructions on how to use it and another thumb’s down for not being user friendly and confusing me (and I don’t usually get confused about these things).

   How will you use the app? What do you think are some of the benefits of the app?

   I don’t foresee myself using this app or website in the future because I don’t see a use for it.  It doesn’t solve any problems I have, and I don’t see how it is helpful.  I can go search on google for a blog that writes about internet neutrality.

   How can we market the app and reach out to new users?

   I would highly recommend explaining on the website and facebook program how your site and app works and why people would want to use it.  At this point, I can’t and wouldn’t give you marketing suggestions to market a product that I don’t understand.  First you gotta get your sales pitch (your website and call to action) down before trying to market it to people.

   Please share any additional thoughts or comments you might have.

    
   Actionable suggestions (for the website):  First off, I don’t see how the picture of the kid with the belt, and boxing gloves markets or even describes what your site is above.  You need to find a picture that is about saving mother earth if that is what you are about.  If you are a site about making a difference in the world, you need a picture portraying that.  Currently the first picture I see only confuses me as to what you are about and what you are trying to accomplish.
   Second, it looks like you have one opportunity to “change the world” on your homepage.  You suggest to visit an animal shelter.  Ok.  Nothing wrong with this idea, but I think an explanation of your purpose and how people can use your site needs to come before this!
   Again, you then suggest to visitors to use your app when it is clearly not explained what you do, how we can use your app, and what your app does.  If you are for promoting intellectual discussion, why do I need an app for that?  Can’t that be done on a blog?
   Under the Promoting a Cause section, it says that KarmaKorn can: turn fans into volunteers, spread action socially, and grow your base.  I give you a bonus star for listing your selling points, but they need to be more emphasized, and you need a clear explanation of how your site and app can do that. 
    On the left hand side, the Ready to do good? Section:  You need to line up the words with the actual numbers.  Again, this further reinforces my earlier comment that your site looks like it was not done by a professional.  This needs to be taken care of ASAP.
   Like KarmaKorn is a good section to promote on social media.  You get a good job for putting that up there.  I also like your “buzz section” but then when you put the stripe with “Don’t just like good.  Grow good.” Motto, the professionality lessens.  If you think you have a viable business plan and idea, you need to have a professional re-vamp your site.  This will increase your credibility big time, and may get more people to try your app. 
   Lastly, I would highly suggest you get a professional looking logo, much like the ones down in your Buzz section.  If you put your logo next to them, it is very easy to pick out which one does not match the others.  If people (prospective visitors) think that they are given quality, they will pay a premium price.  I don’t feel like I’m getting premium “kernels” when I come here. 
   You may need to raise the funds to pay a pro to do an excellent job and jumpstart your startup.

2. Feedback sought:

   Visit https://www.KarmaKorn.com. Is it immediately clear what we are about?

   Sort of.  The About page helped a little.  Maybe add a “How it Works” page and list what you do in steps.  The “Ready to Do Good” list helped.  I loved the KarmKorn basics and How Much is a Kernel worth, but I had to click on the help desk to find them. I would put links to those on a tab on the homepage.

   How do you like the user interface, navigation and usability of the site? Also comment on the color combinations and the logo of the site.

   Everything about the navigation was great! So easy to get around.  I loved the logo and color combinations.  The box layout of the page made it easy to find and read everything.  I liked that the page wasn’t crowded with information, so I never felt overwhelmed.

   Go to the KarmaKorn Facebook app. Do you understand it? Is it easy to use?

   Yes. Everything on the FB page is well laid out and fully explained.  I like all of the sidebar information/links you have offered.

   How will you use the app? What do you think are some of the benefits of the app?

   I will create an action.  I think the benefits are that you have provided an easy way to motivate others to share in your good actions through FB.

   How can we market the app and reach out to new users?

   Offer people a way to earn kernels by promoting your site on their webpage.

   Please share any additional thoughts or comments you might have.

   I can’t think of anything except for putting more ways to find out what the site is about right on the homepage. I was a little disappointed that this was just a social app and not a way to actually help some of the needy around the world. I’d like to see this site branch out to something more substantive. Also, how would anyone know if you don’t just click that you’ve completed the action but didn’t (unless the action was something tangible like clicking “like” on a page)?

3. Visit https://www.KarmaKorn.com. Is it immediately clear what we are about? My immediate thoughts are that this site has something to do with growing, corn (?), helping, sharing….
    
   How do you like the user interface, navigation and usability of the site? Also comment on the color combinations and the logo of the site. I was able to get into the site and really see what it was about by clicking on the “Action 37″ on the landing page.  If I clicked on”Start Now, It’s Free”, it took my directly to a Facebook sign in screen.  At that point, when I tried to click the back arrow, I could not go any further.  I had to totally open a new page and open back up the URL.   I did finally sign in via Facebook, but I have to be honest, I still was not able to get the answers I was looking for.  I went back into the URL and clicked on About Us.  That finally answered some of my questions.  I would highly suggest you put this information on the landing page of your website.  If I just happened to land on your website, I would have no clue what it was about without the About Us information.
    
   The color scheme is good, enticing.
    
   I did not feel at all comfortable navigating around this website.  Even once I signed in via Facebook.
   
   Go to the KarmaKorn Facebook app. Do you understand it? Is it easy to use? I understand how to get in, but I still do not really understand it.  As stated above, it was not easy to navigate.
    
   How will you use the app? What do you think are some of the benefits of the app? If I were to use the app, I believe I would only use it as a Facebook game.  Otherwise, I still do not understand it.
    
   How can we market the app and reach out to new users? I think that you can market it via social marketing on the internet.    I do believe that the concept of the app is great.  I certainly would help out in any way I could.  I just cannot get the information from the Facebook App, nor the website.
    
   Please share any additional thoughts or comments you might have. I can’t really think of anything else to say.  Maybe this app would be better received by the younger crowd.  I would like to say I completely understood it, just by looking at the website alone.  I don’t feel totally comfortable doing things through the Facebook account.  It’s not something I would normally do.   I would, however, be more than willing to help anyone in need, if I understood what and how.

4. Visit https://www.KarmaKorn.com. Is it immediately clear what we are about?

   Yes and know.  I typically take 5-10 seconds on a homepage for this type of question.  Here’s the Yes:  Your headline and supporting copy clearly state what you’re about – you gained my interest.  And the No:  Your logo is not very effective (sorry to be so blunt).  I think your name is clever, but it doesn’t clearly tell me what you’re about.  In addition, against the blue header, it’s not easily readable.  That’s why my eyes were drawn to the headline and copy.  You have a catchy name, but I recommend a logo that supports your mission and makes your purpose more clear (even just a tagline integrated with the logo; “grow good” unfortunately isn’t clear, but it is definitely catchy).

   How do you like the user interface, navigation and usability of the site? Also comment on the color combinations and the logo of the site.

   I mentioned my thoughts on the logo above, but to summarize, I think that the logo is ineffective in supporting your mission and helping new users understand what you’re about.  Against the blue header, it is very difficult to read, it doesn’t draw the eye in.  I recommend a re-tool of the logo, and a new color scheme.

   I find it a little strange that links to FB, Twitter, and YouTube are in your main nav.  I would use larger social media icons (the ones in the banner image area are tiny, hard-to-find, and a little distracting, even).  I would pull out the links, use icons instead, and feature them much more prominently.  After all, your product revolves completely around social media, your site could reflect that more effectively.  In addition, this will make it much easier for the actual items in your main nav (about, helpdesk, blog) to be found.  I also recommend adding a “contact us” page.  It’s essential to have an easy way for visitors to contact you (even a simple form, doesn’t have to be fancy).

   For what it’s worth, I was amazed at the difference in your logo when viewed in the blog header.  It looks significantly more crisp, readable, and professional.  Against the website footer color, it looks pixelated and choppy, and is difficult to read. Has your logo been touched up by a designer to be used against a color background?

   Go to the KarmaKorn Facebook app. Do you understand it? Is it easy to use?

   To be very honest, no, I don’t understand it (and I think I’m fairly bright).  I think your website needs some additional copy to explain how your app works.  Also, I recommend again ensuring your social media links open in a new window.  That way, it’s easy to get back to your site.  On the website, the corn references don’t make sense.  Once I got into the app, I understand it’s an essential component.  More effective website copy (I recommend using a professional copywriter for best results), will help explain the app, your company, and the “what” and “why” of your app.  Right now, I know it’s app to help the world, and I’m giving away corn.  Not much else is clear, unfortunately.

   How will you use the app? What do you think are some of the benefits of the app?

   Right now, in all honesty, I won’t be using the app.  It’s too confusing.  I feel that a stronger website (with effective copy, and an easy way to reach someone at your company), will combat this confusion.  You’ll also need more explanation on your Facebook page, as I’m assuming down the line most traffic and users will be generated through social media, and not necessarily your site.  Once you have better website copy, I’d recommend condensing it to something more concise for your Facebook page.  What’s imperative here is clear, concise copy, with a clear and effective value statement, and very clear directions.

   How can we market the app and reach out to new users?

   As it stands right now, I recommend re-tooling your site for effectiveness before marketing heavily.  A negative first impression can kill a Facebook app before it gets off the ground.  Your site and app are somewhat confusing, and these are critical issues that should be dealt with before massive marketing efforts.

   Once you’ve dealt with those issues – you have an excellent idea!  Societal engagement through social media is extremely hot right now, and I know I personally am extremely interested in contributing, even a small bit, to society through Facebook and Twitter.

   Please share any additional thoughts or comments you might have.

   I recommend opening the link to the Helpdesk in a new window. Since it leads away from your site, you want to ensure your site remains open (since there is no return link on the helpdesk, you want to ensure you don’t lose valuable traffic to your site).

   I know I mentioned this in a few places, but your website copy is a bit rough and unpolished.  A professional copy editor could punch up the copy, make it more effective, and support your mission a bit better.

   I know my post is critical (please take that in the literal sense of criticism, and not negatively); however, I think you truly have a great idea that can make an impact.  The suggestions I’ve made are not necessarily expensive (with permission from mods here, if you would like to contact me through StartUpLift, I would be more than willing to offer consultation, particularly about copy, as I’m a project manager and copy editor for a marketing communications firm, where we work on many website projects), but would make a huge impact.  Good luck!

5. Visit https://www.KarmaKorn.com. Is it immediately clear what we are about?

   At KarmaKorn you are about changing the world and giving individuals the belief and ability to start doing it themselves, one person at a time.

   How do you like the user interface, navigation and usability of the site? Also comment on the color combinations and the logo of the site.

   The user interface is just ‘okay’ and needs some more colors, more photos, more things to pull the person coming to the site in and make them want to know more.  The color combination at the top banner is great, I like the yellow (sun) on the background.  This catches the eye and makes it pop.  One note is the green with yellow made me immediately think of John Deere and a farm, which may or may not be the intention.  The background could be a shade or two darker to really jump off the page.  But the text on the page with the white background needs to be larger, different and mixed with photos.  Give more examples of things people are doing.  The text is boring, you only have a few minutes, a few seconds probably to draw someone in and get their attention.  With some font changes and additional images, this is entirely possible.  The navigation is fine, It was easy to find and easy to use.  Possibly tabs could work at the very top of the page if so wanted.  The logo is okay, it’s different and as long as the intention was to look like a sun, it’s great.

   Go to the KarmaKorn Facebook app. Do you understand it? Is it easy to use?

   The app is pretty easy to understand and use.  I think another line about what KarmaKorn is, a ‘tag line’ if you will besides ‘grow good’ could be helpful.  This could be something short, something simple like ‘Kernels of goodness traded for other kernels of goodness to help change our world’ or something LIKE that.  I like the tabbed top for easy use.

   How will you use the app? What do you think are some of the benefits of the app?

   First the benefit of the app is it’s on Facebook, where MANY individuals spend their time every single day.  There are people on Facebook of all ages, many under 20 which is a prime category you would want to target.  But no matter the audience, it’s easily navigated to and accessible and easy to be shared with others on FB.  I would use the app to promote my own causes, the things I have passion for that I feel would help change the world.  And together with my friends who I know feel the same, we could do a lot of good and be able to share it in simple, easy ways that doesn’t take away from what we want to be doing.  Plus in using this, it is posted to all of our own pages, for our other friends to read and check out.

   How can we market the app and reach out to new users?

   To market the app, you could buy space to actually advertise on Facebook to those who may not be aware of it otherwise.  You could also send it out to people at colleges and universities, or team up with willing members from these places to be a “Team Leader” of sorts for KarmaKorn and publicize personally.  It would also be a great thing to use with high schools and community service type events as some of the ideas on KarmaKorn would lean this way.  I know my focus here has been the younger audience but I see a lot of drive and focus in many young adults, plus they are on Facebook a great deal more.  It may also be helpful to make an Ipad app for users to go directly to KarmaKorn.

   Please share any additional thoughts or comments you might have.

   I think this site has many wonderful qualities and the concept is fantastic.  I think with some images, font changes and more examples of what users of KarmaKorn are doing, you could really bring the user in and see that this site has so much potential.  I’m not sure I completely understand the little boy with the belt to go along with the concept but with the proper caption to the photo, it could be great.  The photo certainly intrigues the user coming to the page, but then confuses them which is not a good thing.  More examples, and more photos and I think this could really take off.

6. Visit https://www.KarmaKorn.com. Is it immediately clear what we are about?
   I don’t think that it is immediately clear as to what your website is about. Even after reading the caption I couldn’t understand the stie. I had to click on the story of Ann and the animals to fully understand. Your site gives people the chance to promote something that they believe in. Inturn people may see it and pass the word on. Your site allow people to add a story line, videos and pictures. I clicked on your about page and I found a little jewel at the end of the paragraph. You said, “We believe social & mobile networks can be used for more than just playing games. Social change is the ultimate game. Get in the game!” This most certainly should be on the home page. That statement made fully understand what you site is about.
   How do you like the user interface, navigation and usability of the site? Also comment on the color combinations and the logo of the site.
   The site is easy to nagivate through but the content of page needs to be better organized. The tabs at the top of teh page needs to moved around. You have the social network tabs before you have the tabs about your own site.

   There’s seems to be no direct color scheme on your website. It seems like you have randomly spalshed your chosen three colors of: blue, yellow and green. The top of the page combines the colors very well but the rest of pages don’t have the good color flow. 

   I was really confused just looking at the pictures on the page. On the one hand I see a boy with boxing gloves and a belt and the other pictures show a dog behind a fence. Those pictures are very different and caused me to wonder what the heck this sit is about. 

   Promoting a cause and ready to good section should be enhanced with: cleaner boxes, organized flow, smooth usage of your sites colors and a bigger font. One box has bullets and the other has colored box numbers. Every box of information doesn’t have to look exactly the same but there is nothing that visually connects them together. 

   I like the logo, it’s nice and bright. It’s looks like a radiating sun which goes good with your tagline grow good. I think that you need to move your sites look more towards that moto. I see more use of yellow and kernals on the pages. Again when I visually look at the pages I loose the grow good conecpt.

    When I read Ann’s story I saw the concept of “kernals” and I did not understand what that was in the slighest. I didn’t understand what that was until I got the helpdesk page. That page me tons of information and greatly explained the use of the kernals. That tab needs to renamed so that people can quickly understand. I like that you have an example of what your site does with Ann’s story but the page in and of itself seems all over the place. It was hard for me to follow.
   Go to the KarmaKorn Facebook app. Do you understand it? Is it easy to use?
   When I clicked on the facebook page that’s when you explained your site right on. What you have on this page needs to placed on the main page because I understood that perfectly upon reading that and it was easy to use.

   Want to change the world? There’s an app for that!

   KarmaKorn … the virtual currency for social change.

   Want something good done? Create an action. Looking for something good to do? Find an action. Use KarmaKorn “kernels” to “fund” these actions. No money is required.

   You don’t need a permission slip to change the world!

   How will you use the app? What do you think are some of the benefits of the app?
   I would use the app to promote anything that I felt passionatly about. The mere fact that this app is on such a large social networking site is priceless. It’s easy to get the word out and you have access to such a large pool of people. One great plus is that it is totally fee to get involoved.
   How can we market the app and reach out to new users?
   There are several ways to market this app:
   1. You could visit your local universities, and schools to set a display area in there most prominent eating spots.
   2. You could buy radio time
   3. You could buy advertising space on any of the largest social sites.
   4. A sure fire way is to just simply clean up your own site and make it vibrant.
   Please share any additional thoughts or comments you might have.
   The who we are and where are sections needs to highligted and revamped. It seems to tucked  aways towards the bottom of the page next to what’s cool now, which probably shouldn’t be on that page. I really liked the picture of the corn on that page. It looked earthy, it tied in the corn and had a visual representation of growth. That is definitly a front page display instead of the bruised little boy. Again I think the site needs to revamped, organized, use existing colors more often and use the app picture as a branding tool of your site. Great idea. Great use of a social networking site.

7. Visit https://www.KarmaKorn.com. Is it immediately clear what we are about?
   My very 1st impression on this website is What is this? Thus, I am really confused, although I know the nature of this site earlier on with the prescribed information stated.

   The main agenda/tagline has to be clearly define such that the future viewers will not be confused, else there you go..nothing hapens.
   How do you like the user interface, navigation and usability of the site? Also comment on the color combinations and the logo of the site.
   Well, to be frank, its pretty basic yat your website main objective has been sorted out, the interface, navigation, USER Friendliness, logo and colors are to be harmonized.
   
   Go to the KarmaKorn Facebook app. Do you understand it? Is it easy to use?
   Anyway, the app makes me confused. Better look into this seriously.
   How will you use the app? What do you think are some of the benefits of the app?
   A good move using social marketing, but then making an attractive yet promising & beneficial app is required to outreach the market.
   How can we market the app and reach out to new users?
   A good move using social marketing, but then making an attractive yet promising app is required to outreach the market.
   Please share any additional thoughts or comments you might have.
   By now, my suggestion is to firstly make clear of the main page of this site. First impression is very important to keep viewers continuing to browse thru.

8. Feedback sought:

   Visit https://www.KarmaKorn.com. Is it immediately clear what we are about? It was clear that it is about helping.  But, at first I was not sure if it was for animals, children, or what.
   How do you like the user interface, navigation and usability of the site? Also comment on the color combinations and the logo of the site. It seems very simple to use.  Just wondering why you do not have the application on the site for those users without a facebook account.
   
   Go to the KarmaKorn Facebook app. Do you understand it? Is it easy to use?  It is very easy to understand.  Seems very easy to use.
   
   How will you use the app? I do not think that I would use the facebook application.  If it were available without having to go through facebook I might.  What do you think are some of the benefits of the app? You are able to reach many users with the incorporation of using the social networks.
   
   How can we market the app and reach out to new users? Make the application available on the website as well as on the social networks.
   
   Please share any additional thoughts or comments you might have. Make the facebook application available without having to sign in to facebook to access the program.
   

9. Visit https://www.KarmaKorn.com. Is it immediately clear what we are about?
   Somewhat.. I read the three steps on the side and got a general idea but would have liked to have seen it explained more either briefly on the page, through a video or with a tab to another page. that was more easily seen on the homepage.

   How do you like the user interface, navigation and usability of the site? Also comment on the color combinations and the logo of the site.
   I like the logo, I think the color combos of yellow and green with the light blue is great for the logo but the rest of the home page is boring and needs to be livened up a bit with more color. When I see white, I think amateur or business and I don’t think that is what you want to portray.
   Go to the KarmaKorn Facebook app. Do you understand it? Is it easy to use?
   Yes it does seem easy to use. I feel like I understand your concept much better since visiting the facebook page.  I can see how easy it would be to find an organization to support and I like that you have it in time as well as money.
   How will you use the app? What do you think are some of the benefits of the app?
   I would use the app to find causes I could support especially with my time. I have always wanted to do more but the task of what? has always seemed daunting. This concept gives you a way to do that. I think some of the benefits are the time and money kernels. It makes your concept seem to be more than just about giving money to causes.
   How can we market the app and reach out to new users?
   Obviously, facebook and word of mouth on facebook. Do you have good SEO results? Making a video that is thought provoking to use on your webpage and facebook page as well as post on youtube channel?
   Please share any additional thoughts or comments you might have.

   You have a great concept but the webpage and facebook page need to be jazzed up a bit. I think a brief video would help and reach out to people/ inspire them.

10. $5 awarded to zeke2100.

11. $5 awarded to prwriter2008.

12. $5 awarded to Latasha.

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