Simple, Yet Bold

Source

I believe Apple.com is one of the most effective websites on the World Wide Web at this time. In terms of content, Apple provides plenty of it. Of course, the audience that this site is aimed towards is those interested in Apple products. The site provides information about all of the products that it has to offer, as well as the option to buy these products online immediately. The site gives current owners of Apple products the resources they need to update the software on their products by downloading updates straight off the website. In addition, there is a support section which you can access online, or set up a reservation to speak with a trained Apple “genius” in person. The site is constantly being updated with current information on the newest Apple products. For Apple product owners, there is really no other website they will ever need to use in order to fix, update and protect their products as well as learn about and purchase new products. 

Apple.com provides plenty of content without
overloading the viewer.

The design of this website is striking. There is a sense of simplicity with the majority of space encompassed in the white background, yet there is rich imagery and strong, bold type applied where necessary. When you first enter the site there is a large advertisement in the middle of the screen for the newest product: the iPhone 4. This ad allows viewers to order your new iPhone a day before it even goes on sale. On the bottom of this homepage is four different pictures each with a simple heading introducing new Apple products and allowing the viewer to watch TV ads for other products. The design is so simple, and yet so prominent that the reader is drawn in but not at all overwhelmed. 

This is the first image a viewer of the site would see,
the homepage of Apple.com.

The navigation of this site is also simple. On the top of the page is a menu bar with eight categories: Home, Store, Mac, iPod, iPhone, iPad, iTunes and Support, with a search bar on the end if you’re not sure what category to look under. When you select the product you’re interested in, for example, Mac, you’re brought to the Mac page. At the top you can select the specific model of your Mac and then another menu bar comes down which allows you to search applications, accessories and servers for your individual computer. Meanwhile, the main menu bar remains on the top of the page so there is almost no way to get lost while navigating this site. 

Apple.com provides simple navigation for the user.

By integrating these aspects of content, design and navigation in the way it does, Apple.com provides for an effective site that finds a balance between necessary and sought out information versus overload. Not only has Apple proven to be effective in producing and selling great products, but advertising and maintaining a great website to go along with all their products needs as well.