content comes out on top!

nearly all of our discussion in class is based upon the creation of an easy to navigate, easy to recognize website so i thought i would look into how the average person views a website and why they choose to view certain ones over others. i wanted to know, does navigational design and efficiency truly trump content? Do people visit a site that’s easier to use over a site that provides them with the services or information they really want?

i talked to nine friends, asked them all to tell me what their number one favorite site is to visit and the most important reasons why – 89% gave only the reason that the site had what they were looking for to be entertained or informed, only one person mentioned (along with the importance of content) that layout and ease of use was a factor. That means that 100% of the people polled visit their favorite site for content!

i have to admit that i find this extremely surprising, therefore; i have to wonder whether or not the ease of use and organization is absorbed by most audiences so subconsciously that it doesn’t register with them as a deciding factor. after all, i suppose if any of the sites were too difficult to use they wouldn’t be visited so regularly. one exception has to be noted and that is the “stanford encycopedia of philosophy” (yes this is somebody’s favorite website, hard to believe, i know!) which is obviously,  just looking at it’s name, not there for pleasure and ease of use whatsoever! so content wins once again.

If you want to check out my friends’ top rated sites, here they are!

ffffound image bookmarking (“great for design and photographic inspiration” says S)

ninja video (really not visually appealing or well organized at all, but extremely popular! B says “all my favorite tv shows for free, whenever i want to watch them”)

fml (“entertaining, funny, makes me feel good about myself” says S and J says “it’s funny, well organized, easy to read, and gives you a little sneak peek into other people’s lives”)

my life is average (what can i say, it’s a pretty average looking site (hahaha…pun intended) and L says “it can always make me laugh!”)

tsn (N says “good up to date information” is why she visits regularly)

texts from last night (“is a really funny time waster” says L)

oilersnation | the edmonton oilers hockey blog (I says “it’s fun easy to read information that always tells me what i want to know!”)

and last but not least (oh, who am i kidding? i left it to last for a reason!) the stanford encyclopedia of philosophy (C says “it’s [his] favorite because it’s a great research resource and has all the info [he] needs”)

enjoy!

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