The best designed web sites
When you begin the process of designing a web site it can be like a writer putting the first word down on a new book or an artist painting the first brushstroke. You don’t always know where to begin. I use 3 main philosophies to get started on a new site.
1) Most likely someone has already done it or is doing something similar. Start by researching other related sites. Make a list of what you like and what you don’t like. What are your favorite web sites and what do you like about them? Think of the web sites you use every day. What got you to them to begin with and why do you go back? I’m not suggesting you copy someone else’s work, just suggesting that there are millions of web sites out there and none is 100% original. Take a look around and get some ideas.
2) Keep it simple and clean. Google started with a blank white page and a single search box on it. There was no question what you could do on that site. They’ve evolved a lot since but simple and clean is the way to go. People tend to have very short attention spans on the web so if they come to your site and don’t get what it is right away, they will leave and are unlikely to come back. Make it very clear what you do, what the site offers and what action you would like them to take. Don’t be afraid to make it over simple to start.
3) Just get started. Any web site should be an evolution and if you try to make it perfect before you launch you will never launch. Put something down and make it better every day.
Some of my favorite designed sites:
-Twitter - Simple and easy. There make it very clear what they want you to do. Create an account and tell people what you are doing. Not much to it
-Google - by keeping it clean it is always very fast to load. Too many pictures and animations slows a site down. Make sure yours loads fast and does what it is supposed to do well. Do like Google does!
-Netvibes.com - its a more complex site but they do a great job of walking you through the steps and the design is sleek
-Blogger.com - clean and simple
-CB2.com - well thought out shopping site, elegant style. Easy to find what you are looking for. A little slow but nice visually