When you enter a website what do you see? How do you feel? Is the imagery capturing your interest or is the context? What brought you to this particular site? Is it easily accessible? Many questions can be asked and observations taken in when you are introduced to a site for the first time. The design, hierarchy and accessibility are primary things to consider when creating a site. For instance, always make sure there is a solid understanding of information and organization to the context. Give your site a tone or voice to suite individual audiences. Design with clear navigation cues and be personable. Make headings descriptive and use keywords.
Taking these guidelines into consideration goes to a site you visit often and what do you see? Is it easy to navigate through? Is it visually interesting? What is the hierarchy on the page?
Bass Pro is a decent example of an easily navigational and well-designed site. The homepage has its basic navigation across the top, and a banner relating to the Christmas season. At the very bottom there are other links to merchandise they provide.
There is plenty of negative space on the page for breathing room. The font is legible and at a reasonable size. The navigation through the page is broken down to different activities outside to home and gifts, to shoes and boots, etc. The navigation is not “dumbed” down but makes its approachability to users much more valuable.
The links at the bottom are organized into lists instead of cramming them into drop down tabs, which helps with the user experience.
If you were to click on a tab such as fishing, it will drop down with a series of links that relate to the subject. Everything is approached with simple sentences and keywords to get straight to the point and make it easier. When you enter a page from one of the links it will introduce top seller categories to the items relating to the category beneath. On the left is another form of navigation to help make your user experience more precise. For example, you can narrow down your selection to price, brand, current offers or type. Overall the navigation stays the same at the top and the bottom of the page.The Basspro website as a whole doesn’t overwhelm the user and keeps it simple for users. Text is not overwhelming and headlines are used to help guide the user. Keywords are used throughout the page such as Fishing, Hunting, Shooting, Boating, etc. to keep to the point. Keep the hierarchy of the page in mind and give the site pleasant tone. Don’t overwhelm with imagery or text and remember negative space is not an enemy.
Now try it yourself. Go to a website your familiar with. Dissect it and see if it is easily accessible and meets the needs of a first time or regular user.
For help and other guidelines visit 10 Principles Of Effective Web Design.
alexlytle 