on analysing a site

I was checking the trademe jobs list this morning and I clicked over to http://www.findsomeone.co.nz/ (why? because the wording in the link was taking the same approach my 'boss' is trying to take with her site).

It's odd, normally I instinctivly flinch from contact/dating sites, but this one almost had me signing up on the spot. I'm trying to figure out why.

Perhaps they have a very good social designer working on the layout. Although the need someone with a bit more technical skill - it doesn't display correctly in any of my browsers. Then again, maybe it's not supposed to? [Hmmm, found a screencap. Looks like it is supposed to].

It could be that I anticipate members of the trademe family of sites doing things well. Oldfriends is a good example of a site that only does about three things to function, and does them well..

A google trawl shows that they've been around quite a while. Interestingly they took the "the prize for being the best gay and lesbian website" at the Hitwise online performance awards last year, but i'm also picking up a strong Xtian vibe from many of the snippets.

~~~
Maybe my sixth sense is giving me a prod. Should I pay attention?