Doodle Blog

Yesterday, we set up a new Doodle release and are proud to present Doodle’s new look today. Most importantly: All existing polls remain unchanged. And the complete Doodle functionality is still available. But Doodle has undergone a major redesign and is even easier to use now — if this is possible at all.

Why the Redesign?

Doodle had been online for years without a substantial redesign. At the same time, we’ve added feature after feature with each update. Today, Doodle is used by 2 million users each month and also needs to cater to our advertising customers. So while Doodle was able convince many users with its “retro” charm, the need for some design work was obvious. To that end, Doodle has undergone extensive usability testing in order to reduce its functionality to the max again — always keeping the user in focus.

What’s New?

• Creating a poll: “PowerDoodle” disappeared and replaced by a simple options step during the setup process
• Accessing a poll: All poll-related functions available right beneath the poll, where users need them
• MyDoodle: Users can now log in on every Doodle page without losing the info on that page
• Improved visual design
• Still no introductory videos explaining the service on our home page — we think Doodle is easy enough to make this unnecessary

Read more about the changes introduced by the redesign. Or read some background information written by Information Architects.

The CTI Start-up Label is awarded to companies which are ready for sustainable growth and meet the following requirements: working and industrialized product, market acceptance, professional and experienced management team, growth.

We are excited and would like to thank CTI Start-up for all their support.

Doodle was also nominated for the Technology Award but we didn’t get the prize. Anyway, we got a nice logo to share with you. The Swiss business weekly Handelszeitung published a portrait about the nine nominees. “Simplicity as a business model” is the title of the Doodle portrait.

Doodle is participating in the Open Web Award and made it to the second round! Please help us proceed to the final round by giving us your vote. You simply need to enter your e-mail address in the box below and submit. You can vote for us once or — if you’re really motivated — every day until Nov 30. Thanks so much!

» Tell your friends about Doodle and the vote

» Read the blog entry covering the first voting round

Tonight, the winners of the SwissICT Award 2008 were announced in Lucerne. We were awarded the Public Award, which is a special honor because the winner in this category is determined by the readers of Infoweek rather than a jury. This is in line with our constant effort to provide a user-centered, easy-to-use service.

Today, Doodle was nominated for the Open Web Award. This truly international award honors innovations in the web and would be a great signal for the free online scheduling service Doodle.

Our most important innovation is the consequent implementation of the KISS-principle: Keep it simple, stupid. You can see the result on your screen.

Now it’s up to the web community, it’s up to you! to opt for the best innovation. Do you find the Doodle principle compelling? Then give us your vote! Just fill in your e-mail address below. Only until November, 16th. Thank you!

» Tell your friends about Doodle and the vote