HN Explorer

Ask HN: Please review our site FourthBranch.us

3 points by krisneuharth ↗ HN
http://www.fourthbranch.us

We have been working on building this site and just launched it a few days ago to meet the YC deadline. We are now looking for constructive criticism and suggestions on how to improve the usability of the site and advance the concept of bringing social networking to the legislative process. Thanks and we look forward to your feedback!

- Kris Neuharth (krisneuharth) and Ryan Manley (ryanmnly)

6 comments

[ 2.6 ms ] story [ 24.1 ms ] thread
noodle
imo, just right off the top of my head, the design and presentation needs work. what exactly does the site do? what is it for? how do i use it? etc..

i can't really tell just looking at the first page, so, you're probably going to have a high bounce rate (especially since its such a crowded-with-information, not-aesthetically-appealing page). you want that first page to explain and draw people in. you have more leeway for ugliness and untidiness once people understand whats happening.

profgubler
I second this. I know that you are addressing bills going through congress, but I don't know what you want me to do. I also had a hard time trying to reading the bills in the list.
krisneuharth
We are in the process of adding a landing page right now that will better explain how the site works. We really focused on just a quick and dirty approach to getting the site working with the basic features we wanted to showcase for the YC application demo and let the look and feel suffer some as a result. I agree that we are a little overwhelming with our current information representation, we are working on streamlining the content.
ryanmnly
You are both right, thanks for the feedback. These are the types of things we need to iron out immediately. We've been working with a few different layouts, but without users actually engaging, it is difficult to assess what works best. We will change it tonight, and through some trial error, hopefully we can express what the site actually does. The concept is sound but what good is it if nobody can figure out how to use it?
il
I can see this being a useful and popular niche app, but what's your exit strategy? You're applying to YC with this, who's likely to acquire you? How will you monetize?

Not necessarily a critique of the site, just some questions YC or investors will certainly ask during the application process.

ryanmnly
First, we definitely need critiques, and as many as possible.

Aside from ad revenue, the plan for monetization is to charge for the data we collect. On a subscription basis, we want government officials, interest groups and lobbyists to pay for the data we collect. We give anonymous and accurate data that identifies earmarks, demographic trends, hot button items, etc. The catch is that the people receiving the data need to agree to a minimum amount of interaction with the users on the site (social networking). We also charge them monthly.

I have no doubt that if just a couple reps/groups find this useful, everyone will jump on board so they aren't left behind. Not to mention, most are spending other people's money, not their own. :)

As for exit plan, this is not completely established. We expect that the application continues to evolve and automate on the back end, leaving us free to hand off to new management without a significant learning curve. Right now, we envision our target buyers to be large news sources, especially if they are political and intend to take advantage of social networking. CNN maybe? FOX? MSNBC? Washington Post? Since newspapers are going by the wayside, there are plenty of companies out there who need a new niche fast.

Thoughts?