Blackbrook Zoo (Closed) New website

Well it looks like something a 6 year old would draw.
Chester tried a similar approach on the signs within the zoo they lasted all of about 2 months before they removed them because it didn`t work!!
 
I really like it, it's cute to look at, and the actual information is much more informative than the previous site.

I actually went on this site yesterday (purely councidently as I am thinking of visiting) and loved it's eye catching look.

I think it will work as a marketing tool for attaching families and as a bonus it tells you what you need to know
 
I was also thinking of going this year for the first time, and yes this new website is more likely to make me visit, I think it looks good.
 
Actually looking at the site again, does it tell you how to get to the zoo at all?
If it does it's not somewhere that's easy to spot (for me at least).
 
Actually looking at the site again, does it tell you how to get to the zoo at all?
If it does it's not somewhere that's easy to spot (for me at least).

The address is in the 'contact us' section but there's no map. That would a good thing to put in the 'your visit' section as it's the first place I looked for it.

I ended up going on the aa route planner, found out it's less than 40 miles from my house!
 
Yeah I see it now you've pointed it out, but not the most logical place to put it.
It's not a major zoo that many people have heard of so a map of how to get there you would think is one of the first things that should be on the site, unless they only want to attract people from the local area.
I'd guess I could get there within an hour, but without a map who knows!
 
I liked the graphics and thought they were quite child friendly.

+1 that the address and how to get there definitely needs to be more prominent - as a visitor attraction its got to be quite important that people can find it?!

The events, news and press releases section were all empty when I looked - is something not working? Blank pages look a bit odd imho.
 
I would like to see a map too, and also a map of the actual zoo grounds - preferably something better than on the old site - and a gallery. I'd looked at the old website's zoo map and was under the impression that it was quite a small place, so I was very surprised to see how large it was when I actually got there! Actual photos give a much better idea of how large the place, what sort of enclosures to expect, and a selection of the species on show.

I'd also like to see a complete list of animals and birds, although I appreciate that takes some maintenance. I would probably never have considered visiting, or at least would have been less likely to, if I hadn't seen that the zoo had Australian Magpies, a species I'd always wanted to see.
 
Heya,
Thanks for the comments. I have had through the drafts for the new map and I have to say I love it! It will be going on the new website after we've ironed out some creases. A gallery is on the site already but not active just yet.
The first news, etc, have to be uploaded - being written by keepers, etc, and so have to wait for them to finish keeping, haha.
I've asked our website designer to add in a more detailed map and how to find us.

Thanks again.
 
I would like to see a species list - which I know would be long , given the great variety of the collection - somewhere on the web-site . Looking forward to reading the Keepers news .
 
I would like to see a species list - which I know would be long , given the great variety of the collection - somewhere on the web-site . Looking forward to reading the Keepers news .

Just go on Zootierliste ;) But I do realise, that not everyone knows of Zootierliste and a public list on the website would be good!
 
I think that for a collection that is primarily birds (not cool or the 'big' animals that many people visit a zoo to see), this website is a good idea. Without tigers, lions, elephants etc to bring people in, a more family friendly, almost childlike (not an insult) design is a good idea. It implies a fun day out and having visited once before myself, I would definitely recommend it. (Especially the home made cakes!). I particularly enjoyed the indoor bird house-the longer I stayed in the more and more things I spotted that at a glance I would have missed. Also loved seeing sceretary birds, cassowaries, hornbills and the big flamingo/spoonbill/ibis etc aviary.
 
I see the web designer has put the main Navigation links on the right-hand side, which is quite unusual, but different. It means your eyes focus on the content first, while the cursor is already hovering on the right-hand side over the links. It does take a bit of getting used to at first.
btw..Blackbrook looks a nice little place!:)
 
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