The Art of the Webpage
When we visit a website we are usually looking for a specific item or article. Depending on how much we know what we specifically want we either use the search bar or the site’s categorizing tabs. The placement of these tabs along with the details of them are a huge part of web design. How much information is presented is up to the company’s design; is their a tab for winter items with sub tabs for hats and gloves, scarves and coats? or does each category cover a large span of products?
Target, for example emphasis the search bar by having it large and centered. There are no tabs to distract from the new promotion in the center of the screen. However, once “categories” is selected 26 categories are shown. The design choice encourages people to use the search bar, but by doing so they are also missing out on related items they may be interested in if presented. The one scrolling tab bar seems very dense, however it brings about a “specialization” feel. If I click clothing, the tab bar changes to the different departments, then after selecting women’s the tabs turn into the sub category of women’s (junior, plus-size, maternity, etc), then items. Despite all these steps it feels as though I’m specializing my search experience to be exactly what I want in a manner that relates me following a concept map.
However, Target does offer a tab-less category option when the user scrolls down on the main page and is presented with the following show and tell categories:
This option helps those who are shopping and less certain on what they want to buy or simply not a fan of tabs. The curiosity of opening these pages and finding something encourages those of us who are not exactly sure what we’re looking for but will “know it when they see it” as well as enticing us to click another sections we’ve humored in our minds.
In comparison, non-profit organization’s webpage designs are even more important as it represents their credibility. If an organization’s website seems to be lacking in clarity or presentation people can deem it as a fake, and with more money scams floating around, it can be an unsafe investment. The standard elements of websites designs for profit businesses include: search bar, category tabs, links to social media, weekly promotions and customer service. Non-profits include all of these except customer service is a contact page and weekly promotions would be current events. By using these two distinctions in organization types you can add credibility to your business by making your contact page and event page thorough. This means knowing who will contact you — donors, perspective volunteers, journalists,and sponsors — and who they want to contact. By providing appropriate information such as the physical location’s address, mailing address, hours, volunteer coordinator’s information, the PR’s contact, and donor relation the organization becomes more transparent. However, large organizations do not provide the name of the department’s contact on the page directly and so identifying the department’s contacts themselves can also be a good choice.
Note, current events act as proof of the organization’s intentions and actions. Showcasing photos of volunteers and the actions of the organization helps share this. Transparency is important to have in business, especially non-profits.
Happy Designing.
Building Credibility for Non-Profit Organizations through Webpage Interface Design. Kensicki, Linda Jean; Journal of Visual Literacy, 2003, Vol.23 (2), p.139–163
