Web Design: The 'F-Shaped' Pattern

You've probably already noticed, but we don't read online content the same way we read books; we scan when it's on a screen, we read when it's on a page. More specifically, we read in an 'F-Shaped Pattern' (See the images below for examples).

What in the world does the mean for Real Estate Photographers? Is means you need to consider this concept while building your website. Listen, the most critical audience of your website will not be your clients (so long as it functions and is quick), it's other photographers and web designers. I kid you not - most clients aren't interested in your amazingly-beautiful self-playing Flash slideshow that they have to teach themselves to use. In fact they would probably prefer a straight-forward, easy-to-understand design that lets them see your photos, then lets them get on with their day. I'll save the 'to use Flash, or not to use Flash' argument for another day - I just want to delve into the notion that your clients shouldn't have to learn how to navigate their way around your page - you should consider working your site into the 'F-Shaped Pattern'.

Put my theory to the test. Visit a handful of photographer's websites, explore their sites and go where your eyes naturally go. I'm willing to bet that your eyes will gravitate to certain elements and not others, and that some important things will go unnoticed. Ask yourself, 'at what point did I begin to lose interest in the website' and 'why was that'? Chances are, you weren't the first person to lose interest - and that's the last thing you want to happen on your page. Was it too overwhelming? Too confusing? Could you scan the page quickly?

Make it easy for your clients: accommodate to the way they're used to seeing content on a screen - keep it simple and work with the 'F-Shape' they already (unconsciously) enjoy.