So what are the essentials to a website? #1

[Christian Hjortshøj [busy]]

Hey! So I decided to make a series of threads - not articles. I think it would be awesome if we discussed what makes the web the web and how a website can attract customers/visitors?

So what do you think? Which three attributes is the most important to a website and why?

[Jam]

The design is a big factor in a successful website.
How easily the user can navigate the website.
Information on the website can also be catchy, for instance, If someone visits a website and they see special services placed on the first page they might be more likely to stick around on the website if they get intrigued from the first page.
Also the extra services like, being able to email straight from the website without opening up an email client, being able to use applications like paypal or other services like that.

[Christian Hjortshøj [busy]]

I agree with you. When thinkin about the fact that we as designers only have aprox. 3 seconds to please the eye of a visitor before they decide whether or not to stay, it's important with the design. And the user interface. How would you rate a site like this in a 1-10 scale?

veerle.duoh.com/


And if you should list your above points in an ordered list, how would that look?

[Jam]

I would rate that website as a 9.5
The design is catchy enough to get me to look around and it seems easy to navigate but as far as information, i feel like it isnt too fluid, like it is a bit all over the place.

My list:
Design
Information
Navigation
Bonus Services

[Christian Hjortshøj [busy]]

I agree - especially on the information part on that website.

But about the list
Wouldn't navigation go before information?

[Jam]

Well yes and no, i think the initial information that the viewer sees should be catchy. For example, times and hours of operation or specials. and then they should be able to navigate around and find anything else that they need.

[Christian Hjortshøj [busy]]

It can be different from the website and user desire then, I suppose? So if the visitor comes to search for information, navigation is the key and if it's a "random visitor" then information? UI engineering gets tricky now