Introduction

How often do you feel annoyed or perplexed when you chance upon an inexplicably confusing website? When a new person visits your website the first impression will be formed very quickly. A well-designed website will drastically increase traffic numbers and chances of the same visitors returning again, whereas a poorly-designed website will leave visitors with bad experience that causes them to likely never return. Here, we will discover what constitute good or bad website design, based on analysing and reviewing two real life examples:

Example 1: My Flaming Heart

My Flaming Heart is a quaint and eclectic boutique located in the heart of Houston, Texas, USA. It boasts a huge selection of custom-made pin-up clothing, vintage-inspired wear, cowboy boots, Texican and Mexican folk art, unique gifts and jewellery. Owner and designer Judy Masliyah, who opened the shop only 3 years ago, has been making all the yesteryears clothing and jewellery independently for more than 30 years. The store is consistently named as one of the top places in Houston to shop for handmade jewellery by online reviews. Recently, it also received recognition by the local news agency, CBS Houston, reassuring patrons of their good service and quality wear.

Example 2: Rokit

Rokit is a chain of high street vintage retail stores located in London, UK. It started out in 1986 with a market stall in Camden, and gradually expanded to four stores in Camden, Brick Lane and Covent Garden (different parts of London). They sell a wide range of vintage and second-hand clothing from 50�s dresses to 80�s jeans, accessories, leather jackets, shoes, quirky party-wear, and leather bags crafted out of pre-worn leather. Rokit�s fashion is regularly featured in various well-known British magazines such as Vogue and i-D magazine.

Purpose of both websites

Vintage clothing and gifts retailing.

Intended audience

Mainly middle-class consumers ranging from children (excluding infants and toddlers) to adults of any age.

Browser Compatibility

This website has been tested in the following browsers:

  • Internet Explorer 11
  • FireFox 29
  • Google Chrome 35