The first site I visit frequently is www.tumblr.com. It is effective because it is a community based sight that sparks individuals interest and lets them explore whatever they want. It is very diverse and the content is wide ranging and personable. It is a good design because it is simple, easy to use, and straight to the point. Everything you need is a click away at the top right corner, including your own profile, and search bar. Also each user can design their own profile. What makes me come back is the sense of community. All tumblr users have a certain language, or humor, or more of just way of life. Feeling like you are understood by people all over the world is comforting. What could be improved is it's frequent glitches, I feel as though the engine gets overwhelmed by all the users and crashes.
Another site I use frequently is stumble.com. It is effective because the user clicks a variety of interests. After that, one presses a button which is titled "stumble" and this engine will take you to websites based off of your interests that someone would never be able to find before. The design is amazing because not only does it provide your list of interests, but it also shows other common interests by users of the sight. Or it shows little sneak peaks of popular pages under your interest. It is organized and diverse. The content is what makes me come back, I have found incredible sights through this. The only thing that needs improving is the list of interest, but that is a personal opinion.
Thursday, February 20, 2014
aestheticss, design, and branding
Choose two of the following websites and identify at least three potential problems for visitors. What could be improved on this website and why? Choose two and identify what they have done right. How does design, aesthetics and branding impact your reaction to the websites?
The first website I chose to analyze, was www.toyota.com. Right off the bat, the first problem recognized was it'd concept and contrast. The whole front page is white, including tabs that take the viewer to other links. The only color is the sliding pictures of the feautured cars. With having the whole frontpage basically one color, it leaves disinterest and boredom to customers. This also creates a washed out feel. The other problem I find is the overwhelming amount of links and products on the front page. When providing so many options, a customer will feel overwhelmed and anxious as to which direction to take. Also, they don't really clarify specific pricing and deals making everything seem overpriced or expensive. The two aspects of their website done well, are their "GIF" pictures that slide on the front page. That is intriguing and makes the customer yearn for more. Also they make it a point to provide a search bar at the top and bottom of the page which is useful.
The second website chosen to analyze is http://tectorch.com/. Right off the bat there is WAY too much going on the front of this website. Where does one even look first? The intensely bright colored titles and links are all intertwining and have absolutely no alignment. Also they go from introducing their product to all the product choices on the same page. Also a definite negative aspect. On top of the above, they have barely any depth of content. They have the beginning line of what is being sold, and by who; but that is about it. The positive aspects of this site, is it's use of theme. "Made by American Workers, used by American Workers," then ahving the color scheme blue and red. Very smart move on their part to promote the nation and attract customers to the love of their country. Why use a Chinese brand torch when you can use one by your people? Furthermore, their placement of customer reviews are at the right place.
The first website I chose to analyze, was www.toyota.com. Right off the bat, the first problem recognized was it'd concept and contrast. The whole front page is white, including tabs that take the viewer to other links. The only color is the sliding pictures of the feautured cars. With having the whole frontpage basically one color, it leaves disinterest and boredom to customers. This also creates a washed out feel. The other problem I find is the overwhelming amount of links and products on the front page. When providing so many options, a customer will feel overwhelmed and anxious as to which direction to take. Also, they don't really clarify specific pricing and deals making everything seem overpriced or expensive. The two aspects of their website done well, are their "GIF" pictures that slide on the front page. That is intriguing and makes the customer yearn for more. Also they make it a point to provide a search bar at the top and bottom of the page which is useful.
The second website chosen to analyze is http://tectorch.com/. Right off the bat there is WAY too much going on the front of this website. Where does one even look first? The intensely bright colored titles and links are all intertwining and have absolutely no alignment. Also they go from introducing their product to all the product choices on the same page. Also a definite negative aspect. On top of the above, they have barely any depth of content. They have the beginning line of what is being sold, and by who; but that is about it. The positive aspects of this site, is it's use of theme. "Made by American Workers, used by American Workers," then ahving the color scheme blue and red. Very smart move on their part to promote the nation and attract customers to the love of their country. Why use a Chinese brand torch when you can use one by your people? Furthermore, their placement of customer reviews are at the right place.
Tuesday, February 11, 2014
Week 2
Melt Cosmetics
http://www.meltcosmetics.com/
instagram, twitter, facebook, pinterest
Nasty Gal
http://www.nastygal.com/
Tumblr, Pinterest, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram
Sephora
http://www.sephora.com/
Facebook, Tumblr, Pinterest, Youtube, Google+, Twitter, Instagram
Urbanog
http://urbanog.com/
Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Youtube, Blogger, Pinterest, Google+, Press
Steve Madden
http://www.stevemadden.com/
Facebook and Twitter
http://www.meltcosmetics.com/
instagram, twitter, facebook, pinterest
Nasty Gal
http://www.nastygal.com/
Tumblr, Pinterest, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram
Sephora
http://www.sephora.com/
Facebook, Tumblr, Pinterest, Youtube, Google+, Twitter, Instagram
Urbanog
http://urbanog.com/
Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Youtube, Blogger, Pinterest, Google+, Press
Steve Madden
http://www.stevemadden.com/
Facebook and Twitter
I have never truly had a problem communicating with a business. To be quite honest, I have grown up with the usage of technology, so for myself googling has always provided an answer. Currently, I am working for a small restaurant business. Social Media helps the communication between consumer and producer immediately. For example: yelp. A customer is looking for a place to eat. They find a restaurant nearby that has five stars. They go and eat. If they like their food, they will write a marvelous review on yelp and grading it the deserved amount of stars. If they hate the food, they are able to warn future customers to not buy this or that; or even to visit the restaurant at all. Social media has intensely closed the gap between the consumer and business owners. However, it is up to the owners to make sure to upkeep with the comments, and feedback of the customers.
Monday, February 3, 2014
Personal vs business platforms
In my opinion, social media can all be used for business platforms if done correctly. What I mean by if "done correctly," I'm insinuating marketing strategies that are more in depth and casual then posting a product and saying it is for sale. For example instagram can be used to subtle market intensely when done right! However most responses would be that instagram is a more personal platform.
Along with instagram, I associate twitter and facebook with being of greater personal use. Depending on the followers on twitter, having 140 characters to post can sometimes be a challenge. Especially when trying to get a point across, or explain a product, or really just advertise in general. Facebook resembles a similar personal view because of all of the details about ones personal life that is filled out and posted. Although facebook is less personal of the two.
The best business platforms of social media would be blogging sites, Pinterest, Tumblr, etsy etc. In these platforms the viewers are often looking for product to buy. They are often looking in the search bars for jewelry, fashion, shoes, whatever the market is. In these websites are people looking for ideas. They are looking for originality, for something beyond what corporate america has to offer, and that's why I view them as abetter opportunity for small businesses; or business in general.
Along with instagram, I associate twitter and facebook with being of greater personal use. Depending on the followers on twitter, having 140 characters to post can sometimes be a challenge. Especially when trying to get a point across, or explain a product, or really just advertise in general. Facebook resembles a similar personal view because of all of the details about ones personal life that is filled out and posted. Although facebook is less personal of the two.
The best business platforms of social media would be blogging sites, Pinterest, Tumblr, etsy etc. In these platforms the viewers are often looking for product to buy. They are often looking in the search bars for jewelry, fashion, shoes, whatever the market is. In these websites are people looking for ideas. They are looking for originality, for something beyond what corporate america has to offer, and that's why I view them as abetter opportunity for small businesses; or business in general.
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