An important, if not the most, feature that an academic based website should contain is the content. It is the first thing that viewers would locate and look forward to as they navigate through the university homepage. In this light, the website in which I am about to critique certainly presents itself with a plus in terms of content, utilization, and consistency. The website I am referring to is the Princeton University (http://www.princeton.edu) campus website.
At the first click of the button, I immediately noticed the speed in which the homepage of the university processes, taking only around 10 to 15 seconds to completely load. This might be for the reason that their university website does not make use of any other technology present today such as Macromedia Flash or Quicktime to showcase the different parts of the site, a feat that provides the website the chance to operate swiftly.
They also incorporated the use of simple images to decrease loading times. However, there are moments when these simple images do not seem enough to let the viewers have an idea on what the content is all about. For example, on the upper left corner of the website is an image that changes whenever the viewers navigate through different pages. Although they are of the university, being photos of students or a science laboratory to name a few, a bigger image related to the subject matter would be appreciated.
The size of the fonts, on the other hand, may pose as a problem to those who have eyesight deficiency; they may be too small the read. Also, the texts are placed side by side making it difficult to discern borders. Though, it is commendable that the proper use of contrast was exhibited. The shifting of colors from orange to gray and vice versa eases the viewers to notice which ones are links and which ones are headlines.
In addition, the site opted to use an orange-white-black theme to complement the university’s trademark colors, as well as, to make it easier for the readers to view the information provided.
Navigating through the pages of the university website is a breeze. Major links are placed on the first column, sub-sections on the second, and on the third, the content. This goes all throughout the website. Thus, it would be easy for the viewers to find what they are looking for with just an average of three clicks.
Unfortunately, there are moments when links to another website (such as a sister site) is included within the set of links inside the main website. This is worsened by the fact that there is no way to determine if the viewer will indeed go to another website. It would be best to include a small icon or a short text that will prepare the viewers for the following action.
In totality, the Princeton University website is well-done. It successfully molds formality, information, and simplicity into an easily accessed website. The academic based site, as expected, is one that is visited solely for a purpose such as a student looking for a university to apply in or parents who wish to see where their children may be in the near future. Certainly, however, whatever the objective may be, the viewers will be able to accomplish since it is loaded with information organized into specific categories and selections. Furthermore, the minute amounts of error found within the contents of the website are not difficult to improve on for with just a slight increase in image size or a quick type of a text it will only get better. The university’s prestige is not only seen within the bounds of the spectacular edifices and walls of the campus. It can also be noticed in cyberspace.
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