Blog 3: Website Evaluation

While the Chris Brown fan site “Chris-Brown.us” provides very up-to-date and very informative information about Chris Brown, the international music sensation and award-winning R&B singer, the site could definitely use some improvements. The site is very well decorated and has highly accurate information. However, I think that several of the site’s design features take away from the site’s effectiveness and persuasiveness. Also, I feel that the site could be easier to utilize by making simple and small changes to the navigation tools. In order to improve the site’s usability, effectiveness, and persuasiveness, I suggest making either or both the font of the site’s text and background darker, making the text larger in font, and making the navigation tools more obvious and distinguishable from the site’s other text.
The purpose of the fan site is to provide to fans accurate information and updates about Chris Brown. While the site accomplishes this purpose by providing such information, the effectiveness of the site is diminished by slight flaws in the site’s design that make it somewhat difficult to use and navigate. The font is too small and too light in color. The small, light-colored font is difficult to see, especially placed on such a light-colored background. I think that if the font were larger and darker and/or if the background were darker, the site would be much more effective in its purpose of providing information about Chris Brown. By increasing the size of the text on the site or making the text or background darker, the text would be easier to see and read. Also, I think that by making the font larger and the background darker viewers of the site would take the site more seriously. By giving the site a more serious look, the site would thereby seem more persuasive as the information on the site would then seem more accurate or factual. Using bolder colors usually connotates professionalism whereas using lighter colors connotates amateurish.
The navigation tools could be a little more obvious. Instead of being placed in the middle of the page where they blend in with the rest of the information on the site, the text of the navigation tools could be larger in font size and placed more towards the top or side of the site where they would be easier to see and distinguish from the rest of the text on the site. By placing the navigation tools in the center of the site, they are easily lost amongst the rest of the text on the site. I think that by placing the navigation tools in a place where they will standout from the other text on the site the usability of the site would be improved. The most effective websites place their navigation tools on the top of their sites or along one of the sides of the site towards the top to the site. From these areas, the navigation tools can be easily distinguished from the rest of the text on the site. Thereby, by improving the usability of the site, the effectiveness of the site would be improved as it would be easier for viewers of the site to find the information for which they are searching.
The Chris Brown fan site “Chris-Brown.us” is already a beautifully decorated site with informative and accurate information. However, a few minor changes could easily make the site better¾more effective, persuasive, and usable. By increasing the font size of the text on the site, making either or both the font and background darker, and making the navigation tools more obvious, the site could easily hold its own with any multinational site run by dozens of employees.
http://chris-brown.us/