The user experience (UX) is so critical in software today. UX determines whether your system sinks or swims because it relates directly impacts user adoption.
Salesforce invests a lot of R&D resource into optimising their user interfaces (UI); by optimising the look & feel, it makes for a fluid user experience (UX).
It’s been about a year since Pardot bought out their newest UI named: ‘New Pardot Style’. Having released it to the masses, the year has given them time to ensure that this UI is at the top of its game; and now it’s time to enforce it.
Anyone who logged into Pardot in the last few days would have seen this notification banner on the dashboard (ie. home screen):
“Pardot is upgrading all accounts to our new interface, New Pardot Style, on Monday, February 13th 2017. Our old user interface will be retired at that time…”
Toggle on & off
Navigate to the
Let’s get to the features.
The Low-down
What’s hot, what you’ll love a lot.
- Navigation Menu Switch
- Colours
- Record Highlights
- Fast
Original
New
Navigation Menu Switch
There are reasons why the navigation menu was switched from running horizontally (top banner) to running vertically. I heard that the change is related to our natural eye movement patterns (ie. when reading) and our wrist joints – or it might just be because Pardot felt like mixing it up.
The collapsable menu frees up page space. Also the chosen symbols are clear and meaningful.. Because – you know, the
magic wand symbol for the ‘Marketing’ menu, is for all the marketing magic we make happen…
Colours
Another noticeable change. I love the new blue-white combination. Why? It’s punchy, and it’s clearer, which subconsciously makes a big difference.
For the record, this is our test environment – otherwise, I’m pretty sure we would have lost our jobs by now!
Record Highlights
I’m a huge fan of this. I have always loved Pardot’s simplicity, and these quick data shots are so useful when compiling key pieces of information. Also, a tab layout keeps your screen clean, with filters at the top of every list, ready at your disposal.
Pardot has perfected the art of balancing page layout with data display; the pages are comprehensive, with no unnecessary clutter.
Fast
Some seriously impressive load times – even in cases where the content takes an instant longer to populate (eg. large lists), the record highlights will still load instantly – which most of the time, is what I’ll be looking for. This, again, relates back to the benefits of an uncluttered UI.
Why is this happening?
- Keep Customers Happy
- Win New Ones
- Tighter Salesforce-Pardot Relationship (anyone recognise the new UI from somewhere?)
- Future New Features?
Salesforce Lightning vs. Pardot New Style
Photo credit (left): Salesforce
Why is this even important?
Familiarise and get ready to answer people’s questions. Breaking yourself in is important; I remember when I flipped the switch in Salesforce from Classic to Lightning, it took some getting used to. If some users log in less frequently, they might get spooked; but it’s ok, you’ll be on hand to save the day.
So you think you’ll miss the old UI?
Do you think anyone misses the UI circa. 2012? I don’t think so.
Screenshot credits: www.softwarefit.com