Putting on Your Best Interface

A software interface is what a user sees on his screen as he is running a program. From the interface, choices are made. Think of Microsoft Windows in all its incarnations. The main "desktop" window is the interface that allows a user to get to the programs and utilities available on his computer. Windows is a Graphical User Interface (GUI, pronounced "goo'-ee") since the icons displayed are a pictorial representation of the program being linked to. Windows also is a "user friendly interface" in that the icons are pictures that are easily and quickly recognizable without a lot of explanation being required.

When it comes to the Internet, the user interface for a website are the pages displayed on the computer screen of the person browsing. What he sees determines how he will be allowed to interface with and move about the website.

There are many types of website interfaces today. Consider the following:

Flash

The Macromedia Flash® designed website is becoming more and more prevalent. If done well (and with restraint), Flash can be one of the most impressive ways for a visitor to interact with a website. Exceptional use of colors and graphics, presented along with interactive options can really blow the visitor away and get them excited about your products and/or services. A neat example is Nike® (click here: http://nike.com) which has a Flash feature to build your own sneakers, allowing you to change colors, and even personalize some of the sneakers with your name). It's real "Gee-Whiz" stuff and done extremely well.

Unfortunately, most Flash sites are not up to those kind of standards. Here are some, but certainly not all, of the issues to consider before getting carried away by the possibilities of Flash:

Flash Introductions

• Kept fast loading, brief, and to the point, they can be a benefit.
• Allowing the user to "Skip" the intro and get to the home page keeps repeat, and even first time, visitors from slowing down.
• Avoiding sounds is a good idea (if used, a "Mute" button should be prominent).
• A "Replay" button might be appropriate if an intro is truly cool.
• Flash Intros are rarely as great as you think they are. People with older, slower computers don't like waiting for them to load, and may not even have the Flash player. Get an outside opinion from someone who's not afraid to tell you the truth (if Simon Cowell of "American Idol" fame is around, he'd be a good one).

Flash Driven Sites

• Fast loading is imperative. Remember, you've only got a few seconds to keep your visitor at your site.
• Keep the motion down, it can distract  from your content.
• Too much razzmatazz with flashing buttons and annoying sounds can drive them away.

Consider Giving the Visitor a Choice

• Some visitors won't visit flash sites at all because they take too long to load on their old computers, their past experiences have been bad, or they don't even have the Flash player.
• If you're concerned about keeping those customers, make the first thing they see be an option to view the site in Flash or Without Flash. Yes, that requires two designs, but it might pay off in retained visitors.

Static Sites

A static site is one that is designed, uploaded to the Internet, and changes only rarely. Most sites are static, and that's not a bad thing. Designed well with good navigational tools, they're just fine, thank you. Static sites (as well as the others mentioned here) can, of course, contain a Flash component, if appropriate.

Dynamic Sites

A dynamic site is one with frequently changing information. Online ordering of products might be allowed on these types of sites. From the very beginning, thinking ahead and making the design flexible so that changes are easily incorporated without having to recreate the site is very important. Modular design can make changes an enjoyable experience rather than a hair-pulling nightmare.

Interactive Sites

An interactive site makes things happen when the visitor makes choices. Clicking on a button can cause a shopping cart to update without completely refreshing the screen or changing windows. While Flash is great for this kind of site, remember the problems cited. These sites can be designed with a number of languages, the best choice depending on the purpose of the site.

Summary

The first decision is what kind of site you want. Then, you can explore the best way to present your site to the visitors who come calling. Whatever the decision, what they see on their screen is how they perceive your business. How they interface with the information you are providing determines how easy and natural it is for them to navigate your site. What they see at first determines whether they get past the first few crucial seconds and stay for a look-see. How easily they interface can determine how long they stay and how enjoyable their visit becomes.

As you can see, in depth planning is very important. If we can help, please contact us.

Sincerely,

Ed Cottrell, Editor and President