In today’s digital world, it’s safe to say everyone can identify a bad website when they see one. But what makes up a good website? While it may feel like purely aesthetic reasons, there are plenty of elements to what makes a good or bad site.
There are many different principles that determine a good website, five of which are:
Site purpose
Simplicity
Navigation
Reading Pattern
Visual hierarchy
A bad example is the website for neighborhood bar Stogie Joe’s. The first thing you see when entering the site is an online order prompt. While it’s nice to know you can order to go, most people looking up a local bar aren’t looking for take-out. The layout of the site feels cluttered yet unfinished. The navigation menu is small and easily missed, making information difficult to find. While the font choice is consistent, it is small and hard to read in some sections of the website. The reading pattern is inconsistent, making it easy for a user to overlook certain parts of the text.
An example of a good website is the homepage for sandwich shop Middle Child. Hours, location, and phone number are all the first things you see when entering the site. The purpose of the site is clear, information about dining easily accessible. The font is large and clean, clearly conveying the information customers may be looking for while complimenting the overall design of the site. The navigation is simple, with only four options in a large font that stands out. The graphics are high quality and visually engaging but do not hinder any of the information on the site.
There are many aspects of a good website that add up to an enjoyable user experience. It always helps to have a few in mind when creating a website.
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