If Web Sites Were Automobiles
I think that a lot of web designers ( especially the newbies ) could make an enormous improvement in their work if they started comparing websites with other things in the industry, like cars.
For starters, let's compare the different parts of an automobile with those of a website.
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The engine -- This could be your PHP, ASP, or other server-side scripting
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The framework -- your XHTML
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The seats, dashboard, etc... -- the CSS
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Adjustable features -- the Javascript
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Paint and decals -- Photoshop
Out of this list, which one seems the least important? Unfortunately, it's also the one that a lot of designers spend the most energy on. Stupid Photoshop. Now, I can understand this if you are solely a graphic designer, but I'm talking about the people who actually make sites.
A large majority of web designers are trying to sell websites that are like awesome-looking batmobiles. Sure, they look awesome, but the average man just wants a car that goes from point A to point B and can't afford a batmobile anyways.
Most beginning web designers build websites that look like this...
...but run like this:
A good example of a successful website that defies graphics is craigslist. It has a great engine, it works all the time, and it runs smoothly. It's also very compatible. It's the model T that never stops running.
What was the last website you published? Where was the focus? Was the steering wheel easy to use? Did the user have to perform a series of tasks to get it to start? Food for thought...
