It’s good for a rough cut, but Netflix.com needs a little more time in the editing room.

IN A NUTSHELL

Netflix.com is really two sites: non-member and member. The non-member site has one goal: sign up for the service—NOW. The member site, however, doesn’t reflect the same laser focus. Organization of content is a little awkward, and the navigation isn’t intuitive.

BRAVO

Non-member site: Netflix.com makes it easy to sign up for its service. Helpful FAQs answer almost any question potential users may have and a nicely executed graphic gives a snapshot of the process. As well, the inclusion of a customer service phone number is a thoughtful—and helpful—touch.

Member site: A recommendation engine (Movies You’ll ♥) is a great feature—most of the time the recommendations do seem to make sense. The general information on the movies themselves is also extensive and tremendously helpful; for example, Netflix info has settled many an argument about the Rob Lowe oeuvre.

Especially sweet is the Watch Now feature that enables members to download and watch videos on their PCs instantly.

TRY AGAIN

Non-member site: One of the key selling points of the service is the library (more than 80,000 titles to choose from), but Netflix.com gives users only a token look at its library before they must sign up. It would be nice to get a better taste of the milk before buying the whole cow, so to speak.

Member site: It’s worth repeating: The navigation/organization is disconcerting. For example, why is Genre a top navigation and a side navigation item? There’s a sense that each page gives you only a partial list of what you need/want and if you keep clicking around you’ll find what you’re looking for. Alas, it hasn’t happened yet.

As well, the Friends tab seems like an afterthought in both functionality and design. Other movie-based sites such as Jaman have executed community initiatives more successfully.