A Website Is Not a Book

This is something that has always irked me. There are many great, well-designed websites out there. But yet sometimes when I look at certain sites, I am trying to put my finger on something that is wrong, something that detracts from the greatness of the website.

I was just reading something by Paul Gillin that really nailed it and I just have to share. He says, "Create points of entry. Magazines like Redbook excel at presenting information in small, clearly defined segments, each with its own headline and images. "These same tactics can work online," says Gillin. "Callouts, sidebars, pull-quotes, Q&As and other visual tools break up rivers of text and give readers more starting points to engage with the content."

YES! That's the answer. To make a good site great, there must be some visual interest beyond the great color scheme and the snazzy photography at the top of the page. These rivers of text are killers.

Case in point...I was reviewing the following page out on the Demandware site and it's just web design perfection to me. The colors, the use of real estate, the blend of imagery and text and then the icing on the cake...that cool little sticky note at the top with a callout. It adds interest and content in a different presentation. I love it!

It's no secret that great websites go hand-in-hand with great social media strategy and usability. So this is one tip that I will definitely keep in mind for the future.

Cheers,
Renay