Week #3 Blog Post from Homework

Quiz: Immediately after viewing the two examples I could see that "B" was designed much better than "A". While there was contrast in colors in "A", fonts are not easily readable, and the entire first page was not visible, the buttons are dramatic and huge, need to scroll down to see all options, but no scroll bar? The navigation buttons should not be the main focus of the page.  In "B" the entire first page is easily seen, good contrast, navigation of the site is clear on the left hand side, fonts are readable, still has contrast, pleasing colors, all of the button (links) have both pictures and words so it is clear what to expect when you click on them.

Evaluation of Websites:

• #1 LUXE Salon and Spa
• Visually appealing and understandable site, opens on home page with a multimedia show of the salon and spa. Pictures are clear and inviting.
• Site has color theme: grey, black and orange - most font/font colors are easily readable, nice contrast. Use of light gray might be an issue in some monitors though.
• Object of the site is to provide information for potential new clients
• Phone # to make appointments stands out very clearly as well as address.
• Navigation bar at top clear in words, also located at bottom of page
• All pages including initial page load -- good load time! Important information is contained in first view. After scrolling down though, it was a bit junky. Some of this could have been placed onto separate links, such as salon specials.
• Link at bottom to Google maps is good for directions, also link Facebook and Twitter at top of page.
• The navigation bar repeats on every page. To show where you are a fine orange line appears on the navi-bar. Each linked page within the site has wording to indicate where you are as well. Home link is very clear. Could not find a site map, but I don't feel as if I need one here.
• I think the team page is fun with a revolving graphic of the people that worked there, however they missed an opportunity by not providing information about the employee when you click person.
• Offers/coupons/following or rating them online should redone.
• They are missing an "appointment page" which many salons on the web now have. The phone is clear, but they should have a link to make appointments by phone or Internet. Also should have a search site box.
• When graphics were turned off, they did a pretty good job, just a few missing "alt" tags and descriptions.

• PPL Electric Utilities
• Home page almost fits to screen. Nice pleasing multimedia show that can be clicked for more information. Clear box for site search.
• Navigation is on the right on this website
• Although there is a top navigational bar (words) on all other pages, this does not appear on the home page. No navigational bar in words at bottom either. Personally think they should have one since many people are accustomed to this feature and should be appealing to a larger audience, especially for an utility company. However, after leaving the home page, getting back to home is clear and easy.
• Page load time is excellent
• They have a nice color scheme, shades of blue and off white. Fonts are clear, easy to read, nicely sized, and appropriate contrast.
• Could not locate a site map/index and this size of website should probably have one.
• Customers that utilize this site will want to report trouble, need customer service, or view account. All of these activities are clearly visible on the home page.
• There is no button or link to convert this page to different languages. This is a surprise!
• This website was redesigned a few years ago and thought this version was much better than the previous.

This class is helping me to refine a critical eye that I developed when in print design. I might even be becoming a bit of a web snob, actually! Although I knew things looked bad, I did not always know why. When I create my website, I know it is important to reach a wide audience and be visually appealing. Websites that are not done properly, do not invite the reader in to look around, which is of course, the ultimate goal! Remembering the Alt tags, quick load times, clean and crisp fonts/wording, good navigation, and first page "fit to screen" is a great reminder of things I like to see when I looking at websites. The truth is, as critical as I am about these websites, I can only hope that I accomplish a website that incorporates the elements that they did.