Sites with potential problems:
http://tectorch.com
This website's homepage is very cluttered. It's difficult to read since the font is small and once you click on one of the links, there is no way to get back easily to the homepage without using the back arrow. This site could be improved by making the homepage have more of a focus on the warehouse. Instead of an exterior view of the building, have a photo centered on the home page of an interior view of the items in stock. For the navigation buttons, they should have a contact page and then the brand names as the main buttons. Drop down buttons could be the individual types of torches under their respective brand. The home page could take the place of an About Us page and give you all the information about how long they've been in business, who their customers are and where they ship. If Made in the USA is something that they want to emphasize on the site, it can be incorporated more creatively on the homepage, possibly a watermark or a background photo to the text.
http://www.exmouth-view.co.uk
This website has a very homemade look to it. From the moving graphics, to the bouncing words, it's very distracting to try and focus on the content. Also, scrolling so long on the home page makes it difficult to find the information you want with so much offered in one chunk. This website should have the home page trimmed down to just be one great graphic of the hotel, along with content describing who they are and what they offer. All photos should be replaced with higher quality, professional photographs. A navigation bar with buttons such as About Us, Contact Us, Rates, Media would make it easier for getting through the site. Also, all the recommended links can be listed on another page, possibly at the bottom of About Us, but cut them down and put in folders to organize; parks, gardens, entertainment, weather, shopping, etc.
Sites with good design:
http://apple.com
Apple's site is very easy to navigate. It has a simplistic look to it, but it's not bare. The navigation bar is easily found at the top, so that you can go to the section of the site that you are looking for, or you can look at the graphics on the home page to get more information on a variety of products. Purchasing is very easy, as is getting support for your individual product. Their branding is very familiar and I feel comfortable on the website. It does make me want to purchase their items because they are explained really well, the photos are exceptional and the description and examples of what can be done with each product.
http://www.toyota.com
Toyota's website has a great graphic on the first page to draw you in. It looks 3-D, and flips to show the different vehicles in their line. Because of the different, vivid landscapes behind each vehicle, you get the feeling that if you purchase one of these new cars, you'll get to experience new locations and be very fashionable and comfortable. The navigation bar is very easy to navigate through and the Build and Price button is not only fun, but makes you feel in control of your finances by choosing to include or exclude options. You trust the brand because all of the pricing is very upfront, you don't have to search around for it.
Although I chose Ford and Apple as my likes, I found the Toyota site to be very similar to the other two. It seems many of us have the same reaction to the way a web site appears, so the designers must have figured out the process that occurs when the trons from the screen connect with our eyes.
ReplyDeleteAs for the dislikes, I also chose the exmouth hotel. I suppose it is more tolerable because it is clearly done by a family, might even be designed by the kid driving the bus. Maybe the UK is just farther behind on this web design thing than America. Regardless, the music jumps right out at you and smacks you in the face!
Yes, a complete overhaul, (at least aestheically), is needed on some of the websites you chose to comment on. I agree, they could use a litte more work and definitely look as though not much organization was put into the first two. Readers/visitors like to come to sights that are appealing to their interests, but they don't do much to "catch the eye." With more thought and focus put into their website, I think they would find an increase in web visits, and also gain more interests/possible sales.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree what you said about Apple's website as well. Though it's simple, it's website is crisp, to the point, and draws the attention to the product themselves. Good explanations of a product allow the consumer to make wise purchasing decisions about a product they're thinking about, and that's something that's important to me as well.
Your post was far more succinct, professional, and, dare I say, nicer than mine. I may have been too overwhelmed with my "bad" choices, that I had trouble describing how to improve them. On the TEC Torch site, I agree about the building picture, and I wonder if a bldg/warehouse photo is even necessary. From a marketing standpoint, you are spot on about better displaying Made in the USA.
ReplyDeleteI also chose Toyota and Apple, and wasn't surprised at what I found. Both sites were excellent in aesthetics, navigation, and ease of use. I also found myself spending extra time playing with features on the Toyota site.
Assuming this isn't your career, I'd say that you have a potential career move web site business consulting...great job!
I really like your analysis and explanations of the websites you visited. So you know, the good websites I also chose were Apple and Toyota. I agree that both these websites were well done. The fact the simple design allows one to get involved in a way that is of interest to one def makes it so that, at least from my experience, we loose track of time by reading on the different products and exploring the products/features that are not so "mainstream". Feel that everyone must have gone with the hotel probably since we tend to travel looking at the different places of hospitality in other areas/places makes us go towards the hotel site first. Not sure, but I didn't really check it out and being the third post that chose the hotel I think I'll def be going back and check it out. I do see that everyone is making the comment the hotel site has a "family/homemade" feel to it. Maybe that's what they were going for and maybe need to focus more on organization if anything. It kind of reminds me on how Stone Brewery doesn't have a much updated upcoming events or special offer/coupons and most of that information is known through word of mouth. Maybe they were going for that kind of technique and not necessarily be "behind" the times unlike the USA. Regardless, a bad site is a bad site and improvements are always a hope!
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