Social Structure Breakdown
I bet you didn’t know how you’re digesting your content.
Over the years, screen sizes have changed and companies have started to take advantage of the extra real estate. Plus, every bit of the site is designed to keep you engaged.
High level breakdown
From a user standpoint — You (user) are most interested in three aspects of these sites:
- Your profile (the left column)
- Your feed (the middle column)
- Relative content/engagement (the right column)
- Search functionality
- Navigation
Your profile
This all relevant information about you and your profile. Between these three social platforms these are the main points of information, important to you:
- Who you are, profile picture
- How many have follow or engaged with your profile
- Links to get interact with your profile at some level
Your feed
The middle content. This never ending section of information is all content going on with your network. Within that area you’re going to see updates from around your network, advertisements and suggestions for you to engage with.
This area takes up more real estate on the home page, because that’s why most people go online!
Fun Fact: The width of this area usually only holds a certain number of characters/words. This goes back to book design and how wide pages are. It’s easier for you to read/consume information from one to another if there are only amount of characters in one line.
Relative content/Engagement
This far right column, is usually used for you to engage with a brand (depending on the page) or using this area for advertisements.
LinkedIn Uses it for Job placements. Twitter uses it as a place for you to follow others. And if you’re on a facebook brand page — to engage with an email, messenger, or visit the website.
Search Functionality
Used as a quick jumping, this area is fairly self explanatory in that you’d use this area to find new people to follow or brands and specific content.
Navigation
Navigation for social sites generally include links to homepage, profile, updates to your feed/profile and search functions.
We’re all website savvy — basically a shortcut to get around the platform Each site has its own design purposes, but the general concept is the same.
What can we learn?
Key takeaways for this social website review:
- Leverage your competition and know what’s working. How could it be applied to you?
- Understand your audience and what they want are looking for. This could affect the design of your site!
- Content is key. Whether you’re generating content on a weekly basis or selling a product/service your content must be understood quickly and precise.
Learn more about COWTS and their User Experience design on their website: https://cowts.com.
