If you’ve performed a search for raw materials or ingredients on ULProspector.com recently, you’ve probably noticed that the way the site looks and works has changed. From an updated aesthetic to improved functionality that allows formulators to find materials more efficiently, the search engine now includes many long-awaited features. How long-awaited? The painstaking redesign process took about 9 months, during which Prospector’s development team, spear-headed by Product Manager Laura Knox, took into account the requests of users and the most up-to-date technology for the Web and search engines.
“We tried to streamline the search and make the site visually simpler,” says Knox. The clean design makes it easy for the user to find and use the proper search facets. One of these search facets, which was launched along with the site redesign, was a direct request from formulators that Knox and the Prospector team made a priority in the new design. “Previously, users could only narrow their search results to materials from one supplier,” she explains. “Now, users can narrow results by as many of their preferred suppliers as they like.”
Another important update to the functionality of the site was the addition of auto-complete to the keyword search field. According to Knox, it was something the team had at the top of their list of updates. By researching industry leading search sites like Amazon and e-bay, they were able to give Prospector users access to auto-complete, as well as a host of other user-friendly features.
Other features the search engine now incorporates:
- Personal care and cosmetics users can now enjoy the following:
– Chemical classes and functionality are now separate search facets.
– INCI names come up in the auto-complete feature when performing a keyword search. - Users can now follow up on sample requests and mark samples as received from their dashboard.
All of these features were added with one goal in mind. “We want to provide the best user experience we can,” says Laura Knox. And while she hopes for positive feedback from Prospector users who find the redesigned site more useful than ever, she also wants to hear from those who have suggestions on how to make improvements.
Take a tour of the site by clicking here…
Prospector users who would like to give feedback on the new design and make comments or suggestions may do so by clicking here.
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