Organizing high-content sites

spacefem · 03-01-2004, 08:33 PM

So I've got this website, http://www.advicenators.com , and it's got a lot to say to the world. So much that I fear I'm scaring people away... I have no idea how to make it seem simple and clean for new users but still interesting and happenin' for new people looking for busy stuff but still new and refreshing for returning viewers. And the links on the top and the side, well, I find myself hunting for the important ones sometimes, so I know my users can't be enjoying it.

I'm really at a loss.

I've been checking out CNN and MSN and sites like that to see if I can spot any trends, but they're all different and I'm still not sure what to do.

Have you seen any websites lately that present lots of content, but present it in a manner that's organized and not overwhelming? Got any suggestions for me?

**LazyJim** · 03-02-2004, 03:05 AM

Hi, there's two sides to this, first, is the structure of your site and infrmation, second, is the way individuals will use your site.

For the second, BBCI (the BBC web site). On this site, there is a lot of information presented immediately to you on the home page, which is not your very good on it's own, but your attention is subtly directed towards specific areas by the colouring of the blocks. The clever bit is, that your usage of the site is tracked every time you visit, and the blocks are re-coloured to reflect what you are most interested in.

Emancipator · 03-02-2004, 06:11 AM

LJ makes two great points. My suggestion is to use session variables and a database to present the data to users. Then you can have gobs of relevant data and not scare away users or confuse them.

adam2003w · 03-28-2004, 12:12 AM

Cool Site. Here's my advice:

#1 Create some general categories that people can rally behind. Ex: Romance/Relationship Advice, Shopping Advice, Business/Marketing Advice, Legal Advice ... etc. And feature them prominently.

#2 Don't feel the need to do everything at once. Look at monster.com's home page. Their site appeals to job seekers and employers, but the main focus of their main page is to job seekers. Probably the biggest slice of your audience to visit the site will be advice seekers. Why don't you target them on the home page and then feature one prominent link on the home page for advice givers. That way you don't confuse the message of your site.

#3 Don't be afraid of color and graphics. A small amount of graphics can help draw the eye to specific features and help organize your homepage and site.

Hope this helps

Therese · 05-01-2004, 01:04 PM

Wow great site Space fem. A lot of talent and effort has been spent here and it shows!

The useability suggestions are absoliutely correct. The problem is making them happen. I'm not sure what CMS you are using. Wild guess is Type03.

See if there is a site map addon developed for your cms yet. Another thing to do is to create articles on your top page with hyperlinked pictures. Clicking on the pictures will link to your sub sections.

Let us know how it goes.

TW