10 Ways Web Design Is Like Cookies
In response to this post on Conversation Marketing, our SEOGroup discussed 10 reasons why SEO is not like bacon, but rather like cupcakes. Well, we think creative web design is a little more like cookies. Here are our 10 reasons why.
1. Well, of course, there are tons and tons of varieties. Oatmeal raisin, snickerdoodle, pecan sandie. Ecommerce, flash-based, social network. Your absolute favorite kind might not be the best choice for goal you’re trying to achieve (or the meal you’re finishing with dessert!).
2. Both run the range from simple to elaborate. Cookies can be simple (chocolate chip) or insanely difficult to execute. (Have you ever tried any of Martha Stewart’s cookie recipes? Yeah. They’re hard.) Web design can be simple, and good. Or simple and bad. Or elaborate and bad. Or elaborate and great. A practiced web design company will serve your needs better, just like an experienced cook will whip up the best cookies, no matter the skill level needed.
3. You can buy them both premade, but they might not be as good. I don’t think anyone will argue against the fact that homemade cookies are better (possible exception to rule: Girl Scout Cookies). Similarly, you can buy a template web design, but it just fails to compare to a custom-made site.
4. It isn’t always about how pretty they are. Yes, we’d love it if every website was a beauty to behold. But sometimes, a website that is plain in design may function better for your customers. Similarly, just because some cookies may not look like they came straight from the bakery doesn’t mean they aren’t delicious!
5. Sometimes, less is more. We probably all went through the phase where we loved the cookies from the bakery that had cream filling and sprinkles and chocolate chips and ice cream on top. But perhaps, as your taste became refined, you found yourself craving a simple sugar cookie instead. Flashy websites lose their luster, too– especially if they don’t function well.
6. Sometimes, less is more, again. You know what happens when you a whole box of Oreos. Stomachache. If your company has multiple websites that aren’t tied by a common design, or too much irrelevant content on your website, you may be giving your users too much info (and a headache, too).
7. This might be predictable, given the subject, but… you don’t want too many cooks in the kitchen. Too many people adding to your tried-and-true cookie recipe might ruin the finished product. Too many opinions on your online identity might take you too far from your established brand. Keep true to your original recipe– the brand that made your company successful in the first place.
8. In baking and online design, you need customer responses. You’ll never know if your website is functioning well if you don’t track its performance with your users. And you’ll never know if that dash of cinnamon was the missing ingredient if you don’t let your consumers (ha) give you a little feedback.
9. Have a sense of humor. On a website, a little humor injected into the design, whether on the about page or the 404 error message, goes a long way to engage your users. And cookies always taste better if you get to lick the bowl and make a mess. You may be laughing, but it’s true.
10. Finally, it’s about a complete experience. The best cookies look good, make the house smell great, and have a satisfying crunch you can hear when you take a bite. The best websites are more than just copy and design– they are an interactive experience for users.
And that’s it! Now, can someone explain to us how online marketing is like a great steak or how quality content is like a fine wine?
March 10th, 2009
In response to this post on Conversation Marketing, our SEOGroup discussed 10 reasons why SEO is not like bacon, but rather like cupcakes. Well, we think creative web design is a little more like cookies. Here are our 10 reasons why.
1. Well, of course, there are tons and tons of varieties. Oatmeal raisin, snickerdoodle, pecan sandie. Ecommerce, flash-based, social network. Your absolute favorite kind might not be the best choice for goal you’re trying to achieve (or the meal you’re finishing with dessert!).
2. Both run the range from simple to elaborate. Cookies can be simple (chocolate chip) or insanely difficult to execute. (Have you ever tried any of Martha Stewart’s cookie recipes? Yeah. They’re hard.) Web design can be simple, and good. Or simple and bad. Or elaborate and bad. Or elaborate and great. A practiced web design company will serve your needs better, just like an experienced cook will whip up the best cookies, no matter the skill level needed.
3. You can buy them both premade, but they might not be as good. I don’t think anyone will argue against the fact that homemade cookies are better (possible exception to rule: Girl Scout Cookies). Similarly, you can buy a template web design, but it just fails to compare to a custom-made site.
4. It isn’t always about how pretty they are. Yes, we’d love it if every website was a beauty to behold. But sometimes, a website that is plain in design may function better for your customers. Similarly, just because some cookies may not look like they came straight from the bakery doesn’t mean they aren’t delicious!
5. Sometimes, less is more. We probably all went through the phase where we loved the cookies from the bakery that had cream filling and sprinkles and chocolate chips and ice cream on top. But perhaps, as your taste became refined, you found yourself craving a simple sugar cookie instead. Flashy websites lose their luster, too– especially if they don’t function well.
6. Sometimes, less is more, again. You know what happens when you a whole box of Oreos. Stomachache. If your company has multiple websites that aren’t tied by a common design, or too much irrelevant content on your website, you may be giving your users too much info (and a headache, too).
7. This might be predictable, given the subject, but… you don’t want too many cooks in the kitchen. Too many people adding to your tried-and-true cookie recipe might ruin the finished product. Too many opinions on your online identity might take you too far from your established brand. Keep true to your original recipe– the brand that made your company successful in the first place.
8. In baking and online design, you need customer responses. You’ll never know if your website is functioning well if you don’t track its performance with your users. And you’ll never know if that dash of cinnamon was the missing ingredient if you don’t let your consumers (ha) give you a little feedback.
9. Have a sense of humor. On a website, a little humor injected into the design, whether on the about page or the 404 error message, goes a long way to engage your users. And cookies always taste better if you get to lick the bowl and make a mess. You may be laughing, but it’s true.
10. Finally, it’s about a complete experience. The best cookies look good, make the house smell great, and have a satisfying crunch you can hear when you take a bite. The best websites are more than just copy and design– they are an interactive experience for users.
And that’s it! Now, can someone explain to us how online marketing is like a great steak or how quality content is like a fine wine?
