While we can’t send cards, chocolate or flowers, we can at least show our appreciation of their beauty in blog format below.The websites currently giving us butterflies in our stomachs are:
TransferWise
Wave your bank bye bye
It’s always refreshing to see the status quo being challenged especially when it’s the banking system. That’s exactly what TransferWise are doing.
Transferwise allows you to send money abroad with the real exchange rate, avoiding costly hidden bank charges. It’s from the people who built Skype so as you can imagine, it’s a pretty slick affair.
what we love
Transparent and fast
From initial page load you know exactly what the site is for and can find out exactly how much it’s going to cost you for your international transaction. No need to login, or even touch your mouse
Social proofing and trust signals
Again, without any need to move around the site, you have a link to to video explaining how the service works, authority and trust indicators and social proof and liking (from Richard Branson, Trustpilot reviews, The FCA and Skype).
Video testimonials
Should you scroll, you’ll find more information on the service and some of the slickest customer video testimonials around and about
More social proofing
Keep scrolling for more social proofing in a live transaction map of the world and further trust signals from well known publications
Simple form
The slick experience doesn’t just begin and end on the homepage, go through the process of transferring money and you’ll find it a breeze with clearly laid out form fields, position indicators and that trusty skype seal of approval, just in case you start doubting the authenticity of the service
Bulb
Cheaper and cleaner energy, what’s not to like?
Inefficiency, poor service, bad tariffs and no transparency go hand in hand with many energy companies. Bulb aims to be quite the opposite and sounds like a breath of fresh air.
what we love
Clear and simple
Compare bulb.co.uk any of the big 6 energy companies websites and it’s immediately apparent how much simpler they have managed to make things
From the moment the site loads, it’s clear what Bulb do, believe in and quite how simple it is to join or switch (only your postcode being requested).
Simple and fast quote
Enter your postcode and you are then presented with how much you could save based on average usage in “your area and your local incumbent supplier.”
You can choose to carry on and get a personalised quote, chat to Bulb or go back and find out more
Storytelling
People are clearly at the forefront of Bulb’s strategy, both customers and their employees. Telling the story of how the company was formed, putting the team at the centre builds trust and empathy and helps get buy in
Customer service
A common frustration of large energy companies is the poor levels of customer service received. Bulb turns this into a clear USP and sets out to alleviate these concerns straight away with clear and concise information about their customer service
Nobody’s perfect
One thing Bulb is missing a trick on here, especially if you compare it to TransferWise above, is trust indicators and social proofing, a quick Google search will see fantastic reviews that should definitely be prominent on the website
38 degrees
Make a difference from behind your keyboard
Launched during the United Kingdom parliamentary expenses scandal, 38 Degrees takes its name from the critical angle at which the incidence of a human-triggered avalanche is greatest.
It’s clear that for 38 Degrees, people are the key to making change happen and getting website visitors involved in campaigns straight away is the main aim of the site, something it does very well:
what we love
Impactful homepage
The homepage clearly communicates what 38 degrees is all about with a powerful headline and inspiring video highlighting 38 degrees as more than just a petition site
Social proofing
38 degrees incorporates social proofing with a live feed of people signing petitions, clearly presented stats of current people online, actions taken and current live campaigns
Easy to use petition form
When you click through to a campaign, signing a petition is made very easy with the only requirements being name, email and postcode.
A visual indicator showing the campaign target helps encourage signatures.
A guided process
As well as campaigns selected by the random 50,000 members each week, members can create their own petitions.
This process is a breeze with an intro how to video, clear position indicators and tool tips to help guide through the process.
Energy Saving Trust
Founded following the Global Earth summit of 1992, Energy Saving Trust was created for the promotion of energy efficiency, conservation and sustainability, thereby reducing carbon dioxide emissions and helping to prevent man-made climate change.
what we love
Clear and well structured content
If you are worried about the environment, want to save money on your energy costs whilst you’re at it then the Energy Trust does a pretty fine job of getting you started
Impactful homepage
The homepage does it’s job well and hits hard with an image of a happy child smelling a flower. Want the next generation to grow up enjoying planet earth? Then start taking energy conservation seriously
Well structured site architecture and navigation
The site is clear and well laid out making it easy for users to find relevant information whether it’s corporate, domestic or business energy concerns.
There’s plenty of simple to absorb and action advice to get domestic and businesses started in a well thought out and logically structured manner.
There we have it, what websites are giving you a warm and fuzzy feeling? Leave a comment below to let us know.
