Chapter 7 asks the question: Do users get what they want from sites for the amount of time they have invested? (164) Companies that make their services available online must make sure their sites keep user’s attention, can be quickly navigated with ease, and are sensibly organized because the internet provides many alternative sites that users can instead devote their precious time to. “Time resource is a critical topic because online attention from consumers is a desirable and scare commodity” (164). The chapter also brings up the importance of utilizing the concept of “flow” when building and editing a company’s website so that it may be more user-friendly. Consumers on the internet know they have a vast number of companies they can choose from so a company’s site is crucial in whether or not users will return.
Though CakeSpy’s website is chockfull of many enjoyable and engaging facets it is in need of becoming more interconnected as a whole so that it may reach its maximum navigational flow. CakeSpy has done a good job of being a unique firm in a world of options and speaks to visitors of all ages through its various fun-filled online activities. The first time I visited the homepage I was, to say the least, overwhelmed. There seems to be one too many choices for additional links when noting that the possibilities are not just across the top but up and down both sides of the page. A few of the links are just pictures explaining what they are and are not clearly labeled which added to the confusion and information overload. Some of the links – for example, the link to the online retail store – open up a completely new window and don’t clearly delineate a way back to the original homepage. There are additional resources that are similar sites recommended by the owner but there are no descriptions of what the sites are, whether they are bakeries, blogs, or other online retail stores.
CakeSpy’s website could definitely have an improved sense of flow. Jessie O., owner, needs to make sure all of the pages are interconnected with the option to go back to the homepage so as to explore all of the different pages if desired. I also think it would be prudent to consolidate some of the different available options into subcategories under main categories either at the top of the home page or on the side but not necessarily both. It’s awesome that she has so many different facets to her site but easy navigation is proving to be difficult. Also, I think new visitors would appreciate clear descriptions of what each page has to offer – especially for her recommended favorites because personally I would like to know whether I’m being connected to a blog or a bakery review or a cool new recipe.
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