As today’s Internet connection is getting faster and better, many designers will tend to make use of web effects, such as Ajax scripts or Flash, trying to wow the visitors, but we have to think that its still all about the content in the end, we are trying to sell off the products and services to the audience, and not the effect (Unless its some kind of experimental work or portfolio sites, then I think its ok). I’m not sure for you, but when I am surfing the web for information, I would usually prefer sites that have the minimum number of effects or clicks, and yet providing the maximum number of info. Maximum number of info does not mean to the extend whereby it feels overloaded or cluttered, but its adequate enough for me to know what the page is trying to tell me.
There are just too many side effects for using Web effects, I shall name a few, firstly its when the network connection is slow, the site will take an even longer time trying to generate the effects out for the users. The users will become impatient and eventually leave the site. secondly, its the complexity of effects some sites will have fantastic effects, too fantastic that the users not sure how to use. Thirdly, users might get annoyed by the effects, one good example is the mouse-over effects to pop-up additional info, sometimes can be good to replace the clicks, however too much of it will again cause a headache while using the site, as users will tend to accidentally mouse-over something which they are not interested, and intend to move the mouse cursor away (it can be distracting at times).
A good design should really come from the customers point of view, and not from the company perspective. In the end, if the customers don’t find anything useful from the sites, the lose end will still be the company. Therefore building a site which focus on the site content with less clicks, while adding adequate effects to facilitate the browsing process, will certainly make a great experience for the users and company.
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