Re:
Site structure and navigation
The site chosen for analysis in this paper is Barnes and Noble which is an online store front selling books and other literature materials in digital form. The site is designed in a way as to allow for easy navigation and use by its users. At the top of the home page, towards the right hand side, the navigation links which links different web pages in the site is placed. The location for the links is strategically placed in a location that makes it easier for a new user of the system to recognize. These links will lead the user to different sections of the web site including a personal account which is a possibility when using the site. In a bid to understand the bid status and also some events in the company, links directing users to such locations have been provided .
On the left side, there are also links which are arranged vertically. These links are placed in a box like figure capturing the attention of the guest. The links are dissimilar with the links at the top page. These links actually offer links to the sites that categorizes the products sold. It gives the buyer an easy task in locating a particular item of interest in the site. A web page is therefore identified by the kind of products that such links indicate
Consistency is maintained throughout the web pages. The first link in any web page is the home page followed by the commonly and frequently used links. In general, navigation links have been placed in a way that it is easier to identify them and could easily lead one to the desired page (Meggs, 1983).
Site content
The site content is displayed in a professional manner that makes one easy to locate and understand whatever is being offered in the site. Graphics and text alike are used in the presentation of information. The combination offers a more informative gesture to the clients visiting the site. Mixture of the two forms of media has made the passage of passing information to the audience effective.
The manner in which the graphics have been used is in such a way that pictures are displayed on the web pages. These picture or images actually form the description of the products being sold. An example is a picture of the cover of a book on sale. Identification therefore is much easier due to the coupling of text description given, as well as the vision impression received. Text are used in the presentation fo prices and other informative information like the authors and place of publication.
The target audience in this case involves all the people who can read. The site has been organized in sections taking care of young as well as old people. Though consistency has been maintained in all the pages of the web site, the manner of information or content presentation in the site is tailored to suit the intended audience.
The content is targeted well to the intended audience. This audience in this case is young people and Halloween lovers. These are groups of people who are fascinated by images and graphics but not a lot f text. The designers have been successful therefore, in capturing the attention of the intended audience.
In general the site is informative in nature. Prices are provided in a simple-to-understand and easy-to-see manner. The product is also described well graphically and therefore the chance of a customer ordering the wrong item is limited.
In conclusion, it is important to mention that the site developers have balanced well the use of graphics in information passage as well as the use of text. None of the two forms of media has been over emphasized than the other. The balance struck between the uses makes the web site more appealing and therefore eliminates monotony of dealing with one form of content.
Suggested improvements
The form of media that the web site has employed is in good in nature. It allows for easy understanding and comprehension of information that is to be passed to the clients. However, the web site lacks the beauty that is desired to make users enjoy navigating through. The manner in which the content is presented is dull. Color choice is poor and therefore visitors on the site would tend to get bored much easily.
In as much as it has been argued that the use of graphics is desirable, too much graphics makes the site take too long to load. The time taken to load might be so long that may cause visitors to surrender before accessing the information. It is for this reason that it is proposed that the number of images used in the site should be reduced so that the loading time is reduced to half (Drucker, & McVarish, 2009).
Reference
Barnes&Noble. (2011). Barnes and Noble. Retrieved october 27, 2011, from Barnes and Noble:
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/
Baker, S (1990). "The Sign of the Self in the Metropolis". Journal of Design History
(Oxford University Press) 3 (4): 228
Drucker, J. & McVarish, E. (2009). Graphic Design History: A critical Guide. New York:
Pearson Education
Meggs, P. B.(1983). A history of graphic design. New York: Van Nostrand Reinhold,
