Never put form over function. Why? Because it’s crucial thatvisitors actually be able to USE your site. Everything you domust be designed to be as easy for the visitor to understand aspossible. Everything should be functional first.
If you put form before function, you sacrifice your visitor’sbest interest for your own preferences. By definition, puttingform over function means you sacrifice function–you make itharder to perform whatever task is supposed to be performed. Yougive up ease of use or simplicity in order to make it looknicer. Basically, you wind up with a lot of icing and no cake.
Don’t get me wrong–form often accentuates function, just likeicing accentuates a cake. Something that is visually pleasingoften increases the usability by making it more attractive or byusing visual elements to increase understanding. Creative designcan often be used to make a task easier to perform. It canentice the visitor to take whatever action you want them to take.
However, on the web, there are frequently contests between formand function. Designers make choices between whether to makesomething look nicer or make it simpler and easier to use. Forexample, these are common ways of sacrificing function:
- Using an uncommon style of links that makes it hard torecognize the links.
- Putting a textured background behind the copy, even though itwill make the text harder to read.
- Choosing a font color that doesn’t have enough contrast withthe background color.
- Using a font face that is difficult to read.
- Using an uncommon name for a common link. For example, “Talk”instead of “Contact us”.
- Placing elements in unexpected places. Like putting the logoon the right side of the page or placing the main navigationalong the bottom of the design.
- Using a splash page on the site because it looks neat, eventhough it keeps visitors from getting to the real information inthe site.
- Using a lot of fancy images that make the page load moreslowly.
- Opting for a totally graphical design with no copy on the mainpage. Regardless of the fact that visitors won’t have a cluewhat the business is all about until they get further into thesite.
These are all examples of choosing form over function.Unfortunately, if your design looks great but is hard to figureout, your visitors will be gone. They don’t come to your site toadmire the looks; they come to use the site–to find informationor to accomplish a task. Anything you do to stand in their wayis a no-no.
Most of the time, a visitor’s attention span is about as long assnake fur. They have no patience. If you complicate their lives,they’re outta here. Other sites are ready and waiting to meettheir needs, so there is no reason they should struggle throughyour site. If you opt for form over function, you’re likely toopt yourself right out of sales. Not good.
When you’re designing your website, don’t think about looksfirst. Always make function a priority. Think about what’s goingto be easiest for your visitors to use and understand. Thencreate an attractive presentation to accentuate it.
About the author:There are 605.6 million people online. Can they find yourbusiness? Jamie Kiley creates powerful and engaging websitesthat make sure YOUR company gets noticed. Visit www.kianta.comfor a free quote.
Get a quick, free web design tip every two weeks–sign up forJamie’s newsletter: http://www.kianta.com/newsletter.php
0 Responses
Stay in touch with the conversation, subscribe to the RSS feed for comments on this post.
You must be logged in to post a comment.