Ever visited a website and you don’t know how to go about? Maybe you were directed by a link and you had no previous idea of what the site is really about or what it could offer?
Read on!!
I’m going to show you some things to help with that; how to know what a website is really about, and to be able to benefit from what it has to offer. So what website should we use as an example? Hmm this should be a nice one: Thepicloc.com
Here are some of the elements to look out for;
1. THE HOMEPAGE (interface): What’s your first thought at the sight of this homepage?
This is the introductory part of every website- the homepage. This is most times what users see first.
The face of this website has a lot to tell about it, it gives an idea of what it might be, and just what it might be able to do. While looking at the homepage, there are present items to help understand the site, such as;
▪ The header: This contains options to different parts of the website (almost like a map through a tunnel). It’s the uppermost part of a website.
The visible options here include the explore, add location, get direction, about. Other websites might not have this same options but a common item surely common amongst most websites, is the “about”.
You might ask how this options help understand the website, here’s how-:
• Add Location: this definitely tells there’s a means for contribution by visitors, contributing what the site terms ‘location’. The question here now is- How? And what do they mean by location?
The ‘how’ would definitely be known when you click on the option. No matter how complicated a website might be, there’s always a process/way by which things are done.
But its always best to know what before knowing how,so as to what the term ‘location’ means, you should visit the already existing locations for an idea of what that means. Which leads us to “explore”.
• Explore: What’s the first image that comes to mind when one says to us ‘explore’? Adventurous images I’m sure.
This is the part of the website that shows partly what the website is about, a window to its scenes.
The is the bank of the locations uploaded. Okay now, you could go Upload a location as well, maybe your dad’s store, dunno- anywhere fascinating.
• Get direction: This sure sounds like the website is trying to help with something, isn’t it? Now, what could that be, I guess with a ‘direction’… hmm where to?
I think it’s making sense now. I should leave you to explore.
• About: This is the page where the website creators textually declare what the website is about; it’s like a way of the website introducing itself.
“Hey, I’m Thepicloc.com. This is what I do. Here’s where I’m from (I have a nationality too, just like you). Here’s a little story about my creators. Let’s hang out, I’d like to be your friend”
2. THE LOGO: Logos most times are like the pictural summary of an idea. They most times are hints. Examining the logo should also help tell what the site is about.
Doesn’t it just spell out- Pictures.
3. THE BACKGROUND: Either it be a picture or a video. It’s a hint.
4. TEXTUAL CONTENT: If there’s any text on the background, it’s definitely saying something- you’d only hear if you listen.
5. IF THERE’S A CHAT ICON: Then here’s what it means; the website is responsive, which means you can communicate with it for response. This comes in handy, especially when you need help. It should also tell that you’d get a response to your comments as soon as possible (if there’s need for response).
6. SEARCH: What does this tell you with the little experience you’ve gotten. Yeah, I think you’re right: to search for possible locations on the site.
Let’s try that out:
The result should lead here:
So that’s all about that.
Explore the website for more insight. I dare you to find where the function “create an event” is… and if you do find, let me know you did- maybe we can cook up a price for you.
So now you know what to look for and how to understand some of those complicated but amazing websites out
there.
Not like this dude who didn’t explore to understand first
He’s definitely not a location. Well, maybe I’m wrong.
Kindly follow and Comment other websites you think people would need help with.