|
|
Like this article? PLEASE +1 it! |  |
|
Follow the Leader, a Web Design Philosophy
| Guest post by: Mash Bonigala |
Article Overview: In advertising there are a few principles which translate well to web design. Principles such as product placement, putting a product close to an industry leader etc. The Principle that will be gone over today is following the leader where the idea is to have a very similar name to a well known website and have the same kind of content. Following the leader is having the same design philosophy, implementation and a product. While the finished product should have several features to make it unique, it should not be all together different. Take search engines as an example. The leader is obvious, Google, who uses a very simple set up.
 |
Free Download - So Much Can be in a Logo Design By Mash Bonigala |
Follow the Leader, a Web Design Philosophy
In advertising there are a few principles which translate well to web design. Principles such as product placement, putting a product close to an industry leader etc. The Principle that will be gone over today is following the leader where the idea is to have a very similar name to a well known website and have the same kind of content.
Following the leader is having the same design philosophy, implementation and a product. While the finished product should have several features to make it unique, it should not be all together different. Take search engines as an example. The leader is obvious, Google, who uses a very simple set up.
Other major search engines such as Yahoo, or Bing do not follow direct suit. They have opted for more information on the opening page. The web results on the other hand are formatted very similarly, giving it an accessible feel for Google users who are interested in trying a new search engine. This is the way these strong companies have decided to follow suit with Google.
The first step in beginning the follow the leader approach is to decide who the industry leader is. If there is a tie, go with the site that most represents your business model and marketing strategy. Take note of how the categories are organized, the color schemes and types of additional content. This is essentially the same as product placement.
Part of product placement is to design the label of the product similarly to the industry leader. Having a similar website and a similar name can be good. The problem is that people will at first be confused, causing resentment when they find that your website is not the intended website.
Points of differentiation are important with a follow the leader strategy. Giving the website a similar feel to a larger website is wonderful. People will feel at home and comfortable, with similar navigation and content. There are points where differentiation is important.
Going with a similar theme is a good place to start. It is not good to use the same pictures for instance. Do not try to copy the page, but copy the style of the leader page. Using the same general number of pictures, placed differently but on similar subject material is a great place to start.
As time goes on and the website grows in revenue and recognition, the design team can begin to slowly change. At that time it would be recommended to get your own identity. This process can be slow and plodding. However making too many changes in a short time could alienate long people who have used the website for extended amounts of time. Slow change on the other hand gets people comfortable with the idea of a site changing. People will adapt to the changes, and new customers will not be confused with a large sudden change.
When all is said and done, websites are similar to any other business, they take time to grow. Increasing recognition with a follow the leader strategy is a strong way to increase long term survival. While differentiating from the original idea slowly but surely making the site your own can offer longevity.
Related Articles
Fail Your Way To The Top In Network Marketing.
The Zen of Leadership
Your Philosophy Rules Your Business
A Philosophy To Live By
Most Companies Get Leadership Wrong
Planning
Don't Search For A Great Sales Leader - Look For The Right One
How To Become A Leader.
Business Meetings that Work!
Purpose
Leaders can’t afford to make mistakes
Network Marketing Tips That Even Big Foot Will Tell You Doesn't Work! ~Omari Taylor
3 Dimensional Quality,’
Inspirational Leadership: You Go First
Do You Want to Know How my Life Changed For The Better?
Holding the Space
The Essence of True Leadership
Anti-Stupid Pill for Leaders
How To Make Your CEO Brand A Leader.
Internet Home Based Business - What To Look For In A Quality Leader
Article Tags: web design, website design
|
About the Author: Mash Bonigala RSS for Mash's articles - Visit Mash's website Click here to visit Mash's website   Web Content Quality Over Quantity How to Strengthen Your Business in a Slow Economy How to Get Your Website Noticed Forum posting Introduction to Accounting Designing Web Sites for New Computers |
Related Forum Posts
Re: My 200 post
- Well GT,
You done it again, The Leader and now you have 1003 post, wow.
Michelle and Trent, you are a winners too.
WTG friends, you are an inspiration.
Re: Top Banner Help
- [quote:35xjo6uq]Good job on the banners BennyBoy![/quote:35xjo6uq] No probs:)
I agree
Online Marketing and Publicity
Search Engine Optimization -
Web Design and Programming
Blogging
also may be...
Web Design Tutorials
Looking to Hire - jobs section
Interesting Articles / websites
Re: What are your January Goals?
- Here's a quick update on mine:
Goal #1: Hire New Writer = done
- Post job description on oDesk
- Set up trial job
- Pick top candidate
Goal #2: Follow up with Clients = done
- Create and send quarterly report
- Touch base with last year's clients
- Follow up with 4 connectors
Goal #3: PERSONAL = about 70% done on the month
- Do something nice for my wife each week
- Exercise 4 times per week
- Daily stretch - want to touch my toes
Re: what position to request?
- Hi Michael,
Great suggestion from David, or you could try something around a design consultancy,
How about Website Design Consultant, Design and Development Manager, Website Support and Development Manager or maybe Internet Business Development Consultant.
Ultimately whatever you are comfortable with and good luck for the future,
Mal.
New Business
- Hi Guys,
My name is Felix Trogare. I´m a student of Philosophy at New York University. My new small Business is a Books Seller on Internet. Anybody could buy with a credit card books of any topic related with academic topics in all areas. I want to learn about strategies for made my company popular in Google. Do you have some special tips?
Thanks for your help!
Felix Trogare
Philosopher
New York jous
Share this article with your friends. Fund someone's dream.
Leave a comment below or share on the left and you'll help support entrepreneurs in Africa through our partnership with Kiva. Over $50,000 raised and counting - Please keep sharing! Learn more.
Featured Article
by: 
Best Automated Forex Trading Strategy
Build Your List with Joint Venture Giveaway Events
May 2012 Top 100 Social Media Experts to Follow on Twitter
What to measure to be phenomenally successful in business
10 mistakes of media relations
Newsletter
Get advice & tips from famous business
owners, new articles by entrepreneur
experts, my latest website updates, &
special sneak peaks at what's to come!
Get advice & tips from famous business
owners, new articles by entrepreneur
experts, my latest website updates, &
special sneak peaks at what's to come!
Popular Articles
Why Use an Advertising Agency
Self Employed Business Ideas
3 Key Factors For Raising Capital
Why Use an Advertising Agency
Self Employed Business Ideas
3 Key Factors For Raising Capital
Suggestions
Email us your ideas on how to make our
website more valuable! Thank you Sharon
from Toronto Salsa Lessons / Classes for
your suggestions to make the newsletter
look like the website and profile younger
entrepreneurs like Jennifer Lopez.
Email us your ideas on how to make our
website more valuable! Thank you Sharon
from Toronto Salsa Lessons / Classes for
your suggestions to make the newsletter
look like the website and profile younger
entrepreneurs like Jennifer Lopez.