The Automobile Association of SA (AASA) has provided its assistance to South African drivers since January 1930, and is still going strong. The organisation is set to take its services to the tech-savvy generation of motorists, with the Web site version of its current offerings.
Appearance
Every aspect of this site is bold, colourful and easily grasped. The home page features links to other relevant AA sites, such as AA Auto Finance, AA Insurance and the like. There is also a posting of regularly updated motoring-related news and a motoring tip which is refreshed every time you log on to the home page.
Functionality
The site is remarkably easy to use, with all links very clearly highlighted. The amount of information contained in these pages is vast, and AA members have the potential to do literally anything related to their membership and use of the services.
For example, one can update personal records, renew membership or if you`re not yet an AA member, you can apply online. The annual membership fee can be debited to your bank account (excluding FNB and Post Office savings accounts), or you can choose to pay by credit card. All transactions are conducted through an SSL secured server.
Navigation
Navigating through this site will be a blessed relief for both new and experienced surfers. Navigation bars are anchored to the top and left sides of the pages at all times, which makes it simple to use.
Content
The site contains a huge amount of content - every single service or benefit offered by the AA is discussed in detail, with click-throughs to some of the more involved sections. Motorists can read about everything from generalised information such as special offers to both members and non-members, common vehicle faults and press releases from the AA public affairs department to planning a holiday (accommodation reservation, car hire, route maps, road reports, travel tips, travel insurance, international travel, etc).
Litmus test
This is the area in which the site`s appeal to me definitely waned. I tried to upgrade my existing membership, access to which required that I enter my membership number. The site duly informed me that my membership number would be stored throughout my browser session, and I would have immediate access to any other members-only areas.
Unfortunately, I was met with the following error message: "We are currently unable to verify the Membership Number you supplied this maybe due to it being supplied in the incorrect format or due to a technical error. Please ensure it was supplied in the correct format and try again."
Three tries later, I began to suspect that something might be amiss.
In an effort to root out the source of the problem, I clicked on the "contact us" button - which took me to an online feedback form that specified an e-mail address, but not a single call centre number in sight.
I submitted my complaint, and await explanations. However, the lack of human interaction for immediate response is just one flaw marring an otherwise perfectly functional Web site. If the site developers can get that right, it will only add to the already established value of the site.
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