Week 4B - Aesthetics, Design, and Branding
Two websites that I use frequently are for the retail store World Market and the online real estate information hub Zillow.
World Market
I chose https://www.worldmarket.com/, because not only do I frequently purchase home décor, furniture, and kitchen items there, but I enjoy visiting the website. Worldmarket.com exhibits effective concept, contrast, and hierarchy.
The concept of the World Market site is to sell products, but it also provides decorating, entertaining, and cooking ideas. It's images vary in size and goal. Some images promote sale items, some images spark ideas, but the variation allows the customer to choose what they would like to focus on. Also, the hierarchy helps separate the different concepts the store is trying to market. Some product images extend across the entire page, then followed by two or three images below it, which help the customer read over the site easily. Some products are organized by themes such as Oktoberfest or Fall, which gives users incentives to check back frequently to see things such as new holiday merchandise. There is sufficient spacing between pictures. The images portray the international flair of much of the merchandise.
The "Special Offers" button which was constantly visible at the bottom of each page is distracting, and should be moved. The "Member Appreciation" messages were also a bit detracting. They could considering consolidating messages regarding deals and specials.
Zillow
As a military spouse who has moved several times in the past few years, I've often used https://www.zillow.com/ to find housing, and list housing for sale or rent. However, I've found that I frequently visit the site even when we are not planning a move, because viewing the houses has become almost a hobby. Zillow.com uses great concept, effective typography, ease of use, and depth of content as a website.
The concept of Zillow.com benefits many parties. Individuals can research real estate on their own, and have access to other data such as mortgage rates, schools, real estate agents, and more. The opening page typically shows a house in a warm, unique setting. The opening prompt is an easy task to enter simple information such as an address, which immediately engages the user. The typography is simple black or white, and the sizing is consistent. Certain categories such as "House for Sale" are always in capitals, and addresses are always in capital and lower case letters.
The pages are aligned well with a large opening picture, and then rows of two smaller pictures, which makes the site easier to follow. Zillow enables users to access a wide depth of content including several pictures of each house, maps, and video tours. I have listed housing for rent on Zillow.com before, and the process is easy to navigate. The "zestimate" feature allows homeowners to track their home values, which brings people back to the site even when they are not in the market to buy.
Real estate and mortgage broker information is available, but it is not overwhelming or distracting to the website, and it is easy to find. There are a couple of other avenues that Zillow.com could include such as construction remodeling or interior design services.
World Market
I chose https://www.worldmarket.com/, because not only do I frequently purchase home décor, furniture, and kitchen items there, but I enjoy visiting the website. Worldmarket.com exhibits effective concept, contrast, and hierarchy.
The concept of the World Market site is to sell products, but it also provides decorating, entertaining, and cooking ideas. It's images vary in size and goal. Some images promote sale items, some images spark ideas, but the variation allows the customer to choose what they would like to focus on. Also, the hierarchy helps separate the different concepts the store is trying to market. Some product images extend across the entire page, then followed by two or three images below it, which help the customer read over the site easily. Some products are organized by themes such as Oktoberfest or Fall, which gives users incentives to check back frequently to see things such as new holiday merchandise. There is sufficient spacing between pictures. The images portray the international flair of much of the merchandise.
The "Special Offers" button which was constantly visible at the bottom of each page is distracting, and should be moved. The "Member Appreciation" messages were also a bit detracting. They could considering consolidating messages regarding deals and specials.
Zillow
As a military spouse who has moved several times in the past few years, I've often used https://www.zillow.com/ to find housing, and list housing for sale or rent. However, I've found that I frequently visit the site even when we are not planning a move, because viewing the houses has become almost a hobby. Zillow.com uses great concept, effective typography, ease of use, and depth of content as a website.
The concept of Zillow.com benefits many parties. Individuals can research real estate on their own, and have access to other data such as mortgage rates, schools, real estate agents, and more. The opening page typically shows a house in a warm, unique setting. The opening prompt is an easy task to enter simple information such as an address, which immediately engages the user. The typography is simple black or white, and the sizing is consistent. Certain categories such as "House for Sale" are always in capitals, and addresses are always in capital and lower case letters.
The pages are aligned well with a large opening picture, and then rows of two smaller pictures, which makes the site easier to follow. Zillow enables users to access a wide depth of content including several pictures of each house, maps, and video tours. I have listed housing for rent on Zillow.com before, and the process is easy to navigate. The "zestimate" feature allows homeowners to track their home values, which brings people back to the site even when they are not in the market to buy.
Real estate and mortgage broker information is available, but it is not overwhelming or distracting to the website, and it is easy to find. There are a couple of other avenues that Zillow.com could include such as construction remodeling or interior design services.
Hello Vicki! I've always heard of Zillow but have never visited the page until now. After navigating through it for a few minutes I can see why you continually return to this page. It's very well organized and their navigation system makes it really easy to find what you're looking for.
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