Hello All,

I'm trying to settle a debate to push a site design to either sleek or simple
The debate has really come down to user preference in my opinion, I believe that although more advanced sites look/feel cooler, the more successful designs tend to be the more simple and efficient ones.

Now, as a programmer that works in an ad agency, I will tell you right now I'm under no belief form follows function, in fact in my job it's quite the opposite. My personal opinion is that is function is simply the means of answering an abstract question of form / design.

The debate which I'm having is rather difficult to answer by myself so I would like to konw your preference and opinion on the matter.

Which sites do you preffer to use and why, what is your opinion on form/function and what do you think the average user will say?

A simple design site like these examples
www.google.com
www.myspace.com
www.craigslist.com

or something sleek and sexy like these examples
www.yahoo.com - well integrated content
www.facebook.com - not sexy but still sleek advanced then myspace
classifieds.yahoo.com - more advanced feeds

The debate in my opinion is I would like to make my website look very distinguishable.
However, in the examples sited, each simple design is arguably more popular/successful then their more advanced counter parts.

I think the issue comes down to user preferences in general, users seem to like simpler website designs, without more advanced navigation or options.

What are your opinions on
A) do you agree that the samples listed as simple are more popular/successful/better then the advanced
A.1) if not, can you site counter arguments

😎 What is your personal preference/experience with those websites, which one would you be more likely to use and why

C) What do you think the goal of a website that is business oriented be in terms of user interaction with the site, what would you rank the following as more important
c.a) Features - what the site offers
c.b) Navigation - how easy is to find/follow - how easy was it to find what you are looking for
c.c) Simplicty - is the site too bare, have to much, too cluttered
c.d) Content - what the site produces for you
c.e) Interactivity - is a simply html, or something more advanced
c.f) Readability - how easy was it to find what you were looking for on one page
c.g) Community - do you care if there's a million people on the site or not
c.h) History / Background - Do you care if theres one, trust a site without one?
c.x) Other feature you think are vital to have, not have and so fourth

I posted the same question on a design / art site, so I'm interested to see what different users will say on the matter.

Please feel free to provide more info or ask question that you think would be helpful.
Thank you

    I don't find myspace simple or anything. Actually, I think the worst thing about myspace is the interface/design (or lack of)

      Much more important than "sleek or simple" is the content. Sites with what Vincent Flanders calls "heroin content" (stuff people want so much that they'll put up with bad design/usability) will get their hits in spite of their design. Sites with great design, usability, and accessibility will get no hits if no one interested in what they provide.

      Come up with a design that is complementary to the content, products, and or services provided by the site, and make sure that the design and interface Don't Make Me Think. Spend most of your time on developing good content that is logically organized and easy to access.

        Is there a difference between sleek and simple?

        There is no formula...it's all about audience.

        As a designer who can program I like smart uses of technology/techniques blended with design. Technology should become invisible and design should allow ease of use and be nice on the eye.

        I really only need type/text and color to make me happy.

        I have friends who will slave in Photoshop to composite up sick stuff...and that's what works for them.

        Figure out who you are trying to have the discussion with and the rest will fall into place...and if it's not...then you aren't listening to the research.

          As Vaskerville sez, it's all about your target audience. Kids like sites that are really 'busy' but to me that is all just visual noise.

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