Principles of Good Social Media Design

For the Week Four Assignment, I will be discussing the positive and negative aspects of four websites.  I will initially discuss the positive content of two well-crafted websites, identify points of strength in their aesthetic appeal, and provide a bullet list of features of the website that I found appealing and effective.  Secondarily, I will discuss the negative content of two websites, identify potential problems for visitors, and then provide a bullet list of plausible steps to improve the website.  Finally, I will discuss how I was affected by the branding of each website reviewed.

The Good….

§  Toyota – https://www.toyota.com/

§  National Park Service – https://www.nps.gov/index.htm

Toyota and the National Park Service have developed websites that are equally highly functional and aesthetically appealing.  The first thing that jumps out at you when you click on the Toyota website is a very well displayed photograph of their latest offering.  On the middle side of each photo is a selectable arrow that will navigate you to the next model in their lineup.  Toyota forces you select a dealership in your area so that you see only those deals and model offerings available in your area.  The National Park Service takes advantage of high-level imagery to capture the attention of the viewer.  The initial image displayed is clearly designed to capture the attention of the viewer and draw the viewer into a deeper quest for information.  The single-click drop-down menu is exceptionally well-crafted and enables the viewer to remain partially focused on the initial imagery.  Placement of critical navigation elements fall naturally into standardized locations thus making them readily visible.

Appealing and effective elements….

·        Imagery – Excellent placement of products and dynamic display

·        Menu – Navigational ease

·        Format – Things are right about where you expect them to be 

The Bad….

§  Gates N Fences – http://gatesnfences.com/

Gates N Fences provides a website that suffers from information overload and from a heavy hand with technical jargon or “shop talk.”  It is not a terrible website but it can definitely benefit from a refinement process.  The website is not a secured site thus the information that the user provides to them is subject to tampering.  Users within the industry may not have too much difficulty with this website however we surfers that are not familiar with the industry will find it challenging to find what they are looking for.  The website has numerous grammatical errors and use of shop talk that may be alarming to viewers unfamiliar with this type of website.  The website suffers from information overload with far too much data on the initial display.

The website for Gates N Fences can be improved by the following processes:

·        De-clutter the cover page – reduce the informational content

·        Greater emphasis on their brand – business name should be a prominent display element

·        De-emphasize the use of brands whose products they sell and service

·        Secure the website  

The Ugly….

Jami Lin’s Passions – http://jamilin.com/

This was unquestionably the worst website for an active business that I have ever seen.  The website is shockingly littered with grammatical errors and misspellings.  It bespeaks a lack of professionalism that is inevitably associated with the Jami Lin brand.  This website is not salvageable and should be replaced by a professional rendering immediately.  The proprietor is clearly challenged with the English language and needs help with this.  It is not clear to me what is the product of emphasis.  Perhaps an anti-aging snake oil of some kind but your guess is as good as mine.

I cannot offer plausible solutions to improving this website.  It is tantamount to a stage four cancer patient with open serosanguineous wounds.  Deep six it and start from scratch.