I’m going to be redesigning my newsletter’s Web site, and I’m looking for examples of good overall designs for sites that present news and information, as well as useful individual features.
Apart from their content, what sites do you find easiest to use to get the news and information you’re looking for, and what elements help you in that task?
If you’re familiar with any sites with hints and tips for this aspect of Web design, please feel free to link to them.
Thanks.
The best sites for me don’t exist. They used to, when they were called newspapers.
I like to see everything without having to work for it. Click each link. Click for more State news or more Science news. Click links again.
I like to just see stuff, not have to dig for it.
The very worst feature, which I’m sure you won’t do, is to auto-refresh while I’m reading, so I lose my place.
This page comes closest in format, with long leaders after the headlines, although it’s not newsy enough for me to use. Arts & Letters Daily
I too like http://www.aldaily.com/
I’m interested in why you both like it. The design is simple, but it strikes me as not very well organized and it presents way too much info on the home page, IMHO. Some categorization beyond the three top headings might make it easier to find information of interest.
I should mention that, unlike aldaily.com, which apparently consists only of links to other sites, my site will have original short and long-form content and data, as well as links to outside sources.
It’s got a lot of stuff.
I like clean, neat and quick loading sites. Nothing is worse than a busy site (in terms of design).
Google clamis it’s simple design was part of it’s success over Yahoo’s busy desgin.
I like sites that are minimal with float design. That means nothing should be fixed. You should never have to scroll sideways. It should look the same no matter what resolution screen one uses.
It also helps to know your readership. If it’s over 35 make sure you allow a button to resize the text on page. CSS makes this so easy.
Unfortunately I see the trend toward the opposite. If there is a space, fill it with words or ads. I also detest sites that make it hard to distinguish between ads and content. I know you have to make a living but even newspapers mark those as “advertisment”
When I want news I use Google News to sort out the story and then I choose.
For another place to ask questions and to look at design try Dynamic Drive (dot) Com. They have great forums if you have technical questions about design as well as many template for ideas
ESPN, Slate, and the New York Times are all have daily visits from me.
I like three or four tabbed features with photos/illustrations like what Slate/ESPN/SI do.
Recently, ESPN reduced the number of available stories on the first page, which I don’t like.
I also like what the Times does with each section featured and then the top 3-6 stories in each also featured.