Introduction

Bad website design is usually characterized by many factor that do not make website appealing and easy to use. In this case, a discussion of Smith and Goldsmith Inc. rental properties website will be evaluated. An analysis of a good website practices explain that, a good website should be easy to navigate by locating links, should not be too clumsy and should have attractive appearance. All these aspects cannot be traced from Smith and Goldsmith Inc. website and will be basis of discussing attributes of bad websites. Today’s system users’ are more focused on good user interface design than system functionality and that has raised a lot of queries on what constitutes to either bad or good website. When designing any website that should serve customers in the best way, it must meet most of fundamental requirements. These requirements are; attractive interface where users do not strain to view the website, easily to navigate with visible links which are located strategically for convenience of accessing and should have clear and visible pictures that are relevant to the functionality of website. Most important aspects of Smith and Goldsmith Inc. rental properties website which the evaluation would be based is on navigation, clarity of images and user interface attractiveness criterion.   

Navigation links

Links are important aspect in every website as they help users of the system to move from one page to the other and back to the homepage when needed. If any website system is to work effectively and efficiently to users, it must incorporate easily visible links and strategically located on the interface such that, users do not strangle moving up and down to access the links [2]. A good website system should have links on toolbar which are designed in form of buttons. Such links makes system easy to switch from page to another without user scrolling from either across or up and down in order to access the links [5]. When website has button links on the toolbar, it is quite easy to navigate from any page by just switching pages from toolbar menu. Similarly, navigation from within a page has to be friendly in such a way that, users move on a page without strain. The issue of navigation in Smith and Goldsmith website cannot be traced and has made website not to adhere to principles of good design as required in modern website system. Smith and Goldsmith website links are designed in such a way that, it is not easy to differentiate them with other information from the interface of the system. The links on the website cannot navigate easily as required in the practices of good interface design. This makes Smith and Goldsmith website not to be user friendly [8]. On page navigation is still so long which is not advocated by modern website development as it takes a lot of time and user’s energy to move up and down. Today’s system advocate one page website which is complemented by page modal on clicking a certain link.

System’s interfaceadhere to good practices as they have to be scrolled up and down to access full webpage content. 

The system point of interaction with user should be quite attractive so that users can have a feel of operating the system. To start with, the background of the website has been painted with dark blue color which is not appealing to the eyes of the user at all. Good website design practices requires designers to choose colors which is friendly and attractive to the user’s eye [1]. It should not either too bright or dim to discourage users from viewing. The background has been decorated with many colors that are conflicting and do not make users feel to take long time on the system. The interface has been stuffed with too many unnecessary writing which should have been placed on different web pages to make it clear and attractive to users [4]. Placing content all over the web page does not constitutes to good practices of interface design. To design attractive webpage, related content has to be placed on the same webpage in order to avoid confusion. In addition to that, Smith and Goldsmith website does not have consistent colors as webpages changes color from one page to the other. Switching of color content from page to page distorts good practices of webpages consistency on a website. This is only meant to enforce conformity within the system as this make system more appealing to users [6]. Finally, page layout does not adhere to good practices as they have to be scrolled up and down to access full webpage content.

Website content and professionalism

Content placement on webpages is very important as it describes the professionalism of the website [2]. Good website design requires that, related content be place on a same page as this enhances consistency and uniformity of the website. Placing too many unrelated content makes website untidy and unprofessional. Smith and Goldsmith Inc. website is congested with unrelated content within the same webpage making it look unprofessional as required in website good practices. Professionalism of the website involves variety of activities such as links arrangements, right placement of content, having related images on right places and creating attractive background. Taking a closer look on how application form has been designed, it shows a lot unprofessional webpage design. This page has been populated with unformatted fields where user is enter any content instead of restricting user on the content to enter into each field. Professional webpage should limit user on what to enter into the system and how much to enter in each section [7]. This professionalism is not available from Smith and Goldsmith website.

Recommendations and improvements

Having analyzed good practices of website design, it is important to make some changes on Smith and Goldsmith website on areas which does not meet required standards. First, it will be a good idea to implement links at the top of the webpages in order to make navigation easy. Menu bar links makes page switching easy and users do not take a lot of time scrolling on the webpage. Similarly, interface need to be designed in such a way that, foreground and background color need to be improved to make it more attractive to users. Lastly, content and page layout has to be uniform to maintain consistency and uniformity of the website.

Conclusion

Good website design is an important aspect when it comes to website design and development. Poorly designed website is a menace to the organization and this calls for good system design practices. Navigation links are quite important as they make switching of pages easier than when they are spread from all over the webpage. Next, system interface and color application defines how users would perceive the nature of the website and should be designed in such a way that, they follow prescribed principles of user interface design. Lastly, Website content and professionalism is at the topmost of nay system design. This defines how website is organized as it gives users’ view on the structure and ability of the subject organization to meet users need. Poor website discourages customers whole good website is an asset to the organization.

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