Today, I have a gripe. Often people want all the bells and whistles. What ever happened to simplicity?

I remember a number of years ago, we were building a sophisticated eCommerce web site with all the bells and whistles for a client that had her heart set on making so many functions that it made my head spin. Some of them were interactive chat, forum, message board, help desk, postcards, flash animation, tell a friend… and the list goes on.

She had read an Online Article of how all of these things will make an eCommerce web site a sure-fire hit.

Although I am a fan of the “Tell a Friend” feature, I must confess that all of those other features just distract the web site visitor from the products… which distracts them from buying them!

Also, make it presentable, professional and easy for all age groups to navigate and use. This means use good sized fonts, break up the paragraphs add plenty of space to your text and make it an easy read.

Limit the animation – it is just too distracting and annoying. Try adding a video. People can get from a short second video what it would take them 10 minutues to read. Also be sure to me the navigation (links) easy to find and easy to understand what page/section/area you are on the web site. There is nothing worse that not knowing how to get back to where you were a few clicks ago!

When it comes to Web Sites, like most other things in life simple is bets. When you have a Website designed and made always thing of the KISS principle.

Ben Waldeck