Is Your Site Easy On The Eyes?
I like to tell people that I’m no designer, but I know what looks good. Of course, each of us has her own opinion about “beauty” but over the years, scientific research suggests that our individual ideas on beauty aren’t so far apart. Simply put, we often find beauty in things that are symmetrical and harmonious; things that are easy for our brains to process and assess, and that causes little to no confusion. My own version is that I get what I call “liquid eyes” when I see something that I perceive as beautiful. My eyes feel as if they melt, flatten, or turn liquid, and I equate this reaction to the old phrase “easy on the eyes”.
So my first question to you today is this: Is your site easy on the eyes?
My second question: Are you sure?
My creative exercise for you today is to come up with your own top 10 list of the most beautiful site designs.* These lists are popular, and you may even choose some favorite designs from these lists if you like. In any case, once you choose your top 10, make small (400-500 pixels in width) screenshots of each. Now, make a screenshot of your own site. Look at all the screenshots side-by-side and answer the above questions again.
Pay attention to the symmetry, balance and harmony of your chosen designs’ layouts, graphics, and color schemes. Then judge your own site based on those same criteria. Remember that a site can be simple and minimalistic and still be easy on the eyes.
This is your own judgement call, but if you can tweak your design even slightly to appeal to more users, you may find that you retain more users or increase conversions. There are other considerations of course, such as usability and focus, but this is just one small step that can be taken. I encourage you to take it today.
* A few “most beautiful” lists others have created in the past to get you started:
Inspiration Package: 60+ Usable & Elegant Designs
40+ Inspirational Non-Profit Website Designs
25 Beautiful Minimalist Website Designs
40 most beautiful and inspirational website designs of 2008
Tags: beautiful site, beautiful Web site designs, but I know what looks good, designer, HTML
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An ebusiness coach, web developer, Internet Marketer, SEO, and all around web geek who makes her living from home doing all of the above.
Answer one: No
Answer two: Positive
I keep wanting to move towards darker colors and don’t feel comfortable with it. I am looking at maybe going in another direction, you post helps. Thanks!
Would love to hear about any changes you make, Tom.