Purpose

We used "competitive evaluation" in order to see what existing recipe web sites offered to users. This exploration enabled us to conform to existing interaction patterns and language conventions. In addition, we were able to locate user needs (based on our directed storytelling data) that were currently unmet in existing solutions.

Process

We performed an evaluation of 9 recipe search and 2 nutrition web sites. We paid special attention to how information was organized (categorization structure) and how it was filtered to drill down to a particular topic. In addition, we noted any well designed features that met our user's needs.

Web Sites Researched

We visited and wrote reports for the following websites:

We compiled our reports into a document which noted the information provided within each web site, core recipe selection interaction, interesting supplementary elements, and any other features they offered that matched the needs of our users as discovered during our directed storytelling.

Key Insights

Primary Navigation

• Recipe location using a combination of search by keyword and filters
• Browsing is accommodated through subsequent orthogonal categories (e.g. main ingredient, preparation methods, regional/ethnic cuisine, special health considerations, etc)
• Prevalence of featured lists throughout each categorization level (e.g. quick recipes, most popular recipes, seasonal/occasion recipes, etc)

Interesting Supplementary Features

• Recipe Box: storage of viewed or bookmarked recipes
• Nutritional Planning: personalized, weight management, meal plans, intake tracking
• Community Forums: cooking clubs, individual recipe notes
• Rating Systems: rate from scale (4-point "fork" scale in epicurious.com), % of people who would make this recipe again
• Dictionary: definitions of less-commonly known cooking terms, descriptions or alternate names for ingredients
• Cooking tips for ingredients/dishes
• Shopping List: Populating this list from the individual recipe page

Taking it from the Web Site

• Email, Instant Message, SMS
• Printing Options: Full-page, 3x5, 4x6