Fandango URLs suck

07 Dec. 2009

This URL sucks. It should be this, which I could easily remember:

http://fandango.com/11215/

and then page two could be added by putting a /2 in the back, like:

http://fandango.com/11215/2

Problem solved and now I can type the URL from memory and get where I'm going instantly.

But this brings up an interesting question, which I only first considered when reading this story about the rise and fall of Myspace. With URL's that are difficult to guess, I am forced to click more times in their site. They know I want the information and as long as no other sites are easier, we must choose the best of the too-many-clicks crew of movie time listers.

I don't mean to say that's why they do it. But it's possible. So here's another example of why I think they would do this.

Try typing in your zip code to find the nearest movie theater. Did fandango actually tell you nearest one? When I try this, my closest theater is on page 2, thus my complaining earlier. Why do they do this? Almost certainly because the placement of the theaters are bought and paid for.

Ads and more ads. I just want tickets. Ads create so much overhead for products because the companies force people to pay so much just to be heard. The smaller guys must rely on word of mouth and, though it can work, it's much harder.