User friendly city selection

[loudog]

Which of the two selection methods to you think website users prefer and why?

I would be very interested in hearing arguments for each or if there is a better method all together.

[FairwayandIsle]

I will be interested to see what people say as well. Truly I can't decide which one I like the best...

[jessiesc]

The first one:

Pros:

• Easy to navigate
• All cities are visible without too much scrolling
• Selection is extremely easy - anyone can do it
• De-selection is extremely easy - anyone can do it without instructions

Cons:

• Lots of information may be too much for the average user

Second One:

Pros:

• Allows for selection viewing

Cons:

• May require use of ctrl and shift keys (multi select) to select item
• How selection moves from left side ctrl to right will define how difficult it is to navigate (in other words, does dbl clicking remove it from the left list, or just place it in the right... Very confusing if the latter)
• Then what if the user wants to remove a selection from the right side. Dbl click again?
• Requires instructions on how to use control

The point I am trying to make:

Top easy for everyone, bottom more difficult for a novice user.

Hope that helps.

[NealRM]

Both have thier pros and cons. I don't think from a function side that either is a clear winner. I would use the one the works best with your sites layout.

[AugustaREGroup]

i say first.. what I like to do in these situations is ask a non-real estate non-website website (if that makes any sense).

Sometimes people in the business tend to over-analysis things. Should get a clear vote in a random web message board (like a car forum)

[loudog]

@ AugustaREGroup - I agree. I know which one I like the best but am hardly a good representative of our consumer group.

Personally, I like the second one better because I can see my list being built as I make my selections. I also like the ability to click into a list box and type the first letter of my desired city so I can skip right to it.

[gibex]

Or a third options, put them in counties(sections), but depends on your layout

[LRE]

Just a question. Do you need to be able to select several cities in 1 go ?

If not you can just put a dropdown box without having to double click to add it to the selection.

[RESteve]

I say the first, but I strongly feel a map reference should be included somewhere close to this form. Ideally, the map should be interactive, and the form should be an additional advance option to search by.