Something I like to do when evaluating the design of a new website I've come across is look for a neglected page – I often use the contact page, because they tend to be easy to find. Privacy policy pages are also good for this purpose.
The idea is that these pages are often neglected during the design process - with content dumped into a template after the designer has long since left or is busy prettying up the front page.
If a site is solid and consistent, even these commonly neglected pages will be well designed. They don't have to be flashy. There's nothing exciting about a privacy policy of contact information. Clear, concise writing and a clean layout and design will do nicely.
Try it out next time you come across a new site.
Comments
Garrett - January 18, 2003 2:34 am
Speaking of new sites... anything on the horizon for AOV?
Steven Garrity - January 18, 2003 10:22 am
Yup - new site coming - hopefully in the next few weeks. It's a complete overhaul, but it will look and feel pretty much the same as it does right now from the front end - it's more a technology change than a design change (ColdFusion to PHP - HTML to XHTML/CSS). More details soon.
Stephen DesRoches - January 18, 2003 5:48 pm
I'm curious to see the site that encouraged you to post this :)
Steven Garrity - January 19, 2003 10:04 pm
Actually - there wasn't a particular site that stirred me to post. Just something that I've long had in mind. I actually went looking for examples, but got lazy.
Willem - January 20, 2003 8:28 am
Under the constitution, all pages are considered equal.