Web Sites That Work!

Two business Web sites that I visit most often are Microsoft.com and Yahoo.com.  In case you don’t already know, Yahoo.com is an Internet directory service Web site and Microsoft.com is the core Web site for Microsoft Corporation.  Both sites have become extremely important resources for me, and I visit them frequently.  I truly love both of these Web sites, both in terms of design and usability, which is partly why I visit them so often. 

Yahoo.com provides World Wide Web search capabilities as well as organized and managed service lists for their users.  In addition, Yahoo.com offers media, gaming, email, hosting, small business, and community services for all users.  Many people use Yahoo as a personalized news and email tool, but most Yahoo users are there to take advantage of World Wide Web search and directory features.

On Microsoft.com users can find information on all Microsoft products and services.  Also, the site hosts comprehensive support features – documentation, presentations and demos – for software designers and developers.  Additionally, Microsoft.com hosts the Windows Update services where product users can download and install security and usability patches for all Microsoft products.

How I Use the Sites

I use Yahoo.com primarily for email and search features.  Yahoo.com has been my primary email address since they launched their online Web mail service.  I like having immediate access to all of my email no matter where I am – without having to install and configure custom software.  I also find Yahoo Search to give better results than its competitors.  I believe this is due to the fact that Yahoo.com employs personnel to review and categorize sites as well as utilizing a Web crawler.  Site reviews allow Yahoo.com to deliver the most appropriate sites, while blocking those that would exploit an automated system to boost their ranking.   In addition to these features, I also spend some downtime playing games on Yahoo’s game service.

Obviously, I am a software systems designer/developer specializing in Windows-based solutions.  Given this, I rely on Microsoft’s published resources to help me do my job.  I visit Microsoft.com for product updates, Software Development Kits (SDKs), reference documentation, trial systems, and even developer blogs and associated articles.  I spend a lot of time on this Web site, and I find it very useful and well organized.  It is absolutely amazing to me that they can organize and publish so much information and still deliver a usable, intuitive Web presence.

So, What’s the Point?

These two Web sites are very popular and successful.  They both get more hits per day than most Web sites get – EVER!  I think it is beneficial to examine such successful sites, establish what design and content elements work best, and then borrow all the best features.

Each site makes extensive use of color and graphics.  The designs of both sites are fairly modern, though I think Microsoft has a definite edge in this area.  Yahoo’s page tends to be a little too busy, but I do not fault them too much due to the amount of content on their page.  Still, both sites remain clear and easy to use.

Both the Yahoo.com and Microsoft.com Web sites appear to take advantage of modern Web development and delivery technologies.  This isn’t surprising considering that both companies are considered technology leaders and innovators.  In addition to taking advantage of very effective technologies, both sites appear to be standards based and compatible with multiple Web browser applications.  I tested each site with Internet Explorer versions 6 and 7, Mozilla FireFox version 2, and Opera version 9, and each site rendered and functioned equally in all browsers.

As I examine features I notice that both sites utilize a site search that also offers an extended Internet search.  Looking through the source, I do not see any Java class references (which isn’t surprising considering the decrease in Java language popularity on the client side of the Web).  I do, however, see a few Flash objects embedded into the pages used for both display features and to facilitate AJAX calls on some browsers.  Microsoft’s site also uses some ActiveX technology for AJAX features on Internet Explorer browsers – unless security blocks such features, in which case Flash is used once again.

I am unaware of the server technologies Yahoo uses as I cannot see a file extension for their pages.  I would guess that Java technology is used on the server end, but there are many other possibilities such as C/C++ and scripting/shell languages.  Not surprisingly, I see that Microsoft is using .Net technology to generate and manage its pages.  In fact, I am fairly certain that they are using SharePoint Services with ASP.Net as their primary content management and delivery method. 

I think that each of these sites uses the proper technologies and approaches to engage users and help the respective company meet business goals.  Microsoft’s site has a Windows Vista look and feel, which I think helps them market their new operating system.  Yahoo’s site uses nifty navigational elements such as tabs, collapsing panels and hyperlinks to display a lot of information to users without overwhelming anyone.  Being a .Net developer and knowing the incredible power of the platform, I would say that Microsoft’s site is probably more extensible and maintainable than Yahoo’s, but that’s only speculation.  Truthfully, I don’t believe that either site is better than the other – just different.  In any case, I think both sites work well for their target audience, which is arguably the most important consideration for Web site designers.

So.... What -IS- The Point?

Okay, okay... I'll try and wrap this up with something valuable.  Both of these sites (though the same holds true for virtually all successful business sites) represent a clean and user friendly modern design, are standards current (mostly), utlize the latest technologies, and engage users (customers) with customization, community and a whole host of other features.  There! That's the secret! 

If you want to succeed on the World Wide Web, then your Web site needs to be current (modern), relevant (have meaningful, useful content), interactive (engage users), and simple (have a friendly, intuitive interface).  That's all there is to it.  Well... there is the issue of being able to deliver a product with all those characteristics - and that's where UltiMesh comes in!  Let UltiMesh help you succeed on the World Wide Web - contact us today!