Don't Bore Your Visitors. Keep Them Thinking!

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by Scott Pamatat

A good web site design should keep the viewer interested. It should also have a natural flow to it. I'm sure when you are surfing the web you see sites that you like and sites you dislike. A web site design should not be to confusing nor should it be to simple. There is a good deal to say about a simple site design but the truth is many visitors will equate a simple web site design equals a small company.

So the question is, how to make a web site that is interesting but not to confusing? I will give you a few design tips. If you will please open this page http://www.designmore.com/grouptest.htm you will find it easier to follow what you are about to read.

Please take a look at A and B. What do you see? Do you see a square and a circle or do you see part of a square and a circle? In any case, you see two objects that look like a circle and a square.

What you are actually looking at are four lines attached at a right angle and a curved line. Why do you see a square and a circle when neither object is there? We see these object because humans like to relate. We have the ability to create what is not there in order for us to recognize an object.

Not only do we have this ability, we like to use it. We like to look at objects and use our mind to make connections. It keeps us interested. Now take a look at C.

When you look at C you should see two things. The first thing you see are four groups of two vertical lines. Why do we see four groups of two vertical lines instead of eight vertical lines? We do this because humans like to group objects together. It makes it easier for us to mange our thoughts. We do this in every part of out life. For example, when giving a phone number we will pause between the third and fourth number. It is much easier to remember 2 groups of numbers than one long number.

The second thing you should see is a circle. You see the circle because of the reason stated above, our minds like to relate. This object is also related to the circle in the right hand corner (B).

These are just two ideas to keep in mind when designing a web site. Here is an example of how this can be used. If you would like to separate or close a section off from the rest of your page you do not need to totally enclose it. You might just need a line or two. Let the viewer figure the rest out.

I strongly believe that a web site design should be functional first. It should download quickly. The text should be easy to read and the navigation should be straightforward. After all that is accomplished, you just need to keep your visitor interested.