What is in a Website? Or isn’t, but should be

Designing a website that is user friendly is equally as important as designing it neurologically friendly. Imagining how others would feel and react to the content, and creating an ‘easy on the eyes’ experience is essential to building a website with broad appeal.
Our life experiences and the use of our five senses dictate our reactions. We all use our nervous system differently to learn and absorb information. Some learn visually, while others prefer hearing or feeling.
When designing your website, it makes perfect sense to try and balance the content to satisfy as many visitors as possible. Personally, I know that a website that is comprised of mainly text doesn’t motivate me enough for me to stick around and read pages and pages of text. I would much prefer to see some graphics and tasteful pictures, with a relaxing color scheme. This is because I am a visual learner, and would prefer a balanced variety. A site full of clashing colors and too many bright flashing banners would quickly make me close the browser!
Catering to the auditory person by installing a video with sound onto your website is also an option. There are plenty of people who would prefer to listen rather than read. Ensure that the recording of the voice is of good quality and the tone and speed of the narrator is such that it won’t irritate the listener. Making the sound optional will add versatility that will satisfy the visitors that don’t prefer this mode of focus.
For the kinaesthetic person, how do you keep their attention? They can’t touch the website after all! The design would have to present a warm, fuzzy feeling that will motivate that person to stay and learn more about your site. Use quality graphics and images that portray your websites topic. For example, pictures of ice cream should simulate how it would feel eating the sweet, creamy, cold treat. A picture of an apple should make your guest want to bite into a juicy apple! Pictures of the beach should portray how it would feel walking barefoot in the white sand. Ultimately, you should try to reveal to the viewer something that reminds them of a previous, happy experience that will then create the warm fuzzies!
Next to designing your website around the five senses, making your site easy to navigate is of great importance. Allowing your visitors to get lost on your website will quickly cause frustration, so provide a good roadmap.
Have fun creating a website that appeals to as many people as possible and watch your stat counter soar!

Written by: Tammy Akmens
http://www.liveworkathome.com