Website Design

If you have done any amount of surfing on the internet, you have certainly encountered dozens of different website designs. These website designs often fall into a handful of different categories:

• Works of Art - These are the websites that are visually impressive, especially as you cock your head from side to side staring at all the pretty pictures. They are fun to look at, but they are usually not exactly user-friendly and intuitive. They may have great information, but it is sometimes difficult to find.
• Look at Me - If you have ever spoken with a young child who has just learned to hop on one foot, you probably understand the reference. Like the Works of Art, these websites are also visually impressive. However, they are often over-stimulating to the point of distraction with something always flashing in your face, saying: "Look at me... Look at me..."
• Bells and Whistles - Just because you can do something, doesn't mean that you should. These are the websites that use every trick in the book, even if they don't really fit in with the design or the content of the website. Yes, I can make it snow on your webpage, but unless your company manufactures shovels, snow plows or igloos, why would I?
• Data-Dumps - These websites are the antithesis of the Works of Art. There are no pictures and few if any links; they are content-rich and the content is easily accessible (with a Ctrl-F, since all the content is usually on one page). These websites illustrate that there is a difference between being accessible and being usable. Another characteristic of a Data-Dump website is that they often have very tiny scrollbars.
• Online Business Cards - That pretty much says it all. Name, address and phone number. The fancy ones have a logo too.
• Right Tool for the Job - These websites provide a good internet platform and effectively and efficiently display the content for the world to see.

So which is the best type of website design? The answer might surprise you...

All of the above...

That's right. Depending upon your project any one (or more) of these categories may be the right solution for you. It all really depends on what you are wanting to share with the world.

• A photographer may want a Work of Art website.
• A website for children may want to use a Look at Me design.
• Techies always appreciate a Bells and Whistles design.
• A FAQ website may want a Data-Dump design.
• A local Mom-and-Pop store may be content with an Online Business Card design.

You see, any website design category (or combination of categories) may be the the right design for your project and may therefore, be the Right Tool for the Job. The secret is to find the right mix.

At bitbars, we have the ability to design all of these website and can help you determine which style (or combination of styles) will best showcase your project.