Web watch: we review what’s hot on the net

8 February 2005

JFM Transport Solutions is championing its new website, which it claims is state-of-the art and fully interactive. The Doncaster company specialises in the short-term hire, lease and outright purchase of commercial vehicles, including 4x4s, pick-ups and specialist municipal vehicles.

Much better-known and bigger companies than JFM Transport Solutions have opted for an intro screen on their websites, which this reviewer finds pointless in every case, so we should sidestep this and go straight to the homepage, which is simple to navigate, using a horizontal menu bar, restrained use of colours and a subtle use of pictures. An unusual feature is that you can click to enlarge the pictures. A bit of text with an inquiry form would have really maximised the potential.

A disappointing element of the homepage is a grammatical error. Hopefully, the company will correct it soon.

The core element to JFM’s business and, logically, its website is the Vehicles section.

Here, the vehicle types available are laid out in a simple yet appealing way with some clever use of technology. Mouse over an image of a van and it expands slightly and a text box opens below it with a quick description. Click on the image and JFM’s claims about the interactivity of the site are justified.

You get a full screen description of the vehicle chosen, plus at least four external and internal pictures. The click-to-enlarge feature comes into its own here and being able to get a closer look at bespoke interior features (office work station, electric hot water dispenser) is an excellent feature. The Accessories section achieves the same standard. There is plenty here to tempt the fleet manager.

Another section of the site deserves a special mention: click on ‘quality’ and you can view scans of JFM’s ISO:14001 Environment certificate along with a couple of others. It works well to inspire confidence in the company.