What’s wrong with this site?
Brick, A Literary Journal has been around forever. The magazine boasts some of the most talented writer’s and has a following of readers world wide. The site has served its purpose well but as we move into the more interactive realm of publishing, how can this site adapt?
Give me your feedback:
-What is your first impression of the site?
-What is the site about? What is its main purpose/goal?
-Where does your eye travel on the page?
-Which buttons do you click?
-What does the site need?
-What is your first impression of the site?
BAD
That Ellen’s blog (and basically any blog) does more than this established literary quarterly.
GOOD
That you’ve got access to Ellen and Ellen’s network of skilled web2.0 practioners!
what else …
1. That this site was created by somebody’s relative (for free or near free) using HTML and Dreamweaver in 1996?
Most of the choices convey a lack of knowledge of web usability standards and usability design principles. They are in need of a proper website.
2. black background = bad usability design
The black background is one of the most fundamental mistakes of first timers. I think a lot of them see the absence of black backgrounds and assume they’re being different. They are! The reason for the absence of black backgrounds on the web is that studies have shown them to be very hard on the eyes. Black background with white or coloured text is simply user unfriendly. So this is generally regarded as the hallmark of amateur web design.
Red text on black background? Bad choice, unless you’re targeting goths.
Given that this is literary site, an emphasis on easy reading should be paramount. Especially given the volume of boomers who will need an easy on the eyes experience.
Look at any major news site. See any black backgrounds? That’s why.
White background, dark text. Lots of ways to bring colour and impact to the site. Just don’t use dark backgrounds.
Here are some other usability guidelines
http://www.useit.com/alertbox/9605.html
3. Static = web1.0 …
All of the above indicate that they didn’t hire a professional. That does make a difference.
-What is the site about? What is its main purpose/goal?
Every website or blog has an ABOUT or MISSION link. This one doesn’t. But my detective work tells me it’s a publisher. Get rid of the guesswork and provide an about page. Tell us why Brick is an important publisher. Tell us your history. Tell us about your people.
-Where does your eye travel on the page?
To the image – which is in the middle. If photography was the focus, this might be fine but this publication is about a lot of different things. What should really jump out at me are the sections (goals) you want me to go to first. This image – and the use of an image is lovely. I like it. But you’ve got to keep TIME in mind when designing. Typical user doesn’t have a lot of it.
The question here is, why are people coming to this site and what are they trying to find. If the site had web statistics installed (which it should) you’ll know this and then design according to priorties.
Design for the web isn’t the same as design for print. For the web, design has to be guided by your site traffic targets – not some random aesthetic that would guide the look and feel of a print publciation.
-Which buttons do you click?
I think the navigation options are sensible and somewhat logical. But where I’d go will largely be determined by what I’m looking for – which I probably have a sense of BEFORE I visit the site.
Where I go on your website is largely a matter of my personal needs as a user reader. Whether I can get there quickly is the real question for designers.
Again, you need to study your site analytics to know who your visitors are and where they’re coming from. Contras this with your marketing strategy and you’ll know what your navigation should be about.
-What does the site need?
Use a CMS
A major overhaul. I’d suggest scrapping the web1.0 clunky dreamweaver with an easy to use CMS like WordPress, Bricolage (a nice fit!) or Joomla. All are in use by mags all over the world. Easy to operate and will provide all the web2.0 functionality you need.
As a team, find a template that looks and feels like your brand. Then hack it for originality. Otherwise, pay a web designer to create an original template for your CMS. Any web designer worth their salt knows how to do this.
Web marketing 101
Review your marketing plan – in relation to current models. Get some Google analytics in place – teach yourself.
web2.0 everything – make it interactive.
Some of this may sound harsh but it’s precisely what a web professional is thinking when they look at your site. Think about what your goals are and make the necessary changes. You will be rewarded with increased brand exposure and traffic.
That will be $5,000
(you can send it to Ellen and she can buy me lunch. In fact, if you do you have the good luck to have Ellen around, PAY HER. She’ll provide ROI for the web)