22Jul2008

What Type of Personality Does Your Web Site Have?

Three good questions to ask clients when embarking on a web site redesign:

If your site was a person, what would he or she be like?
How would you expect visitors to react when they first view your site?
What celebrity (or car, movie, etc.) is your site most like? Least like? Why?

Nice ice breaker and a way to get them thinking creatively.

Posted on: July 22, 2008 | 20 Comments

20 Comments Posted

That is right, a lot of people don't think before creating their website. Different websites have different personalities anyway and this is predominantly determined by the colour of the website. Red is sexy(like Madonna), while green is about nature. As a website designer, I feel strongly that the biggest reflection of personality is colour!

1. Posted by lanre babajide on July 23, 2008

I think usability can also play a part in a web sites personality... If a site is easy to use, well structured and it works, then I see its 'personality' as friendly, considerate and calm. If a site is structured poorly with clutter, badly coded or littered with dead links then I see its personality as grumpy, mean, disorganised sloppy and messy. If we're strictly talking web site aesthetics, then colour, layout and many other factors play a part, all can create the feeling of a 'personality' for a web site.

2. Posted by Web Design Evan Skuthorpe on July 23, 2008

I'm not sure about the questions. The second question could still be very valid but the other two almost seem slightly childish. I don't see how an answer to question three for example will get you anywhere.
@ lanre: Chosing a colour on a website will 99% of the time be based on the company and it's corporate colours that you will be representing. Not a choice of a sexy site, so use red now. Sure, there are exceptions where it's a site made more for recreational or fun purposed but then it wouldn't really matter so much to those who are viewing it. Of course that's just my opinion. Thanks for the post though!

3. Posted by Wade on July 23, 2008

I like this idea, as websites will change dramatically dependant upon the industry. Something advertising a childrens daycare will be alot different from a solicitors for example.

This is also useful in determining a useful website theme or colour scheme for example

Scott.

4. Posted by Web Design Manchester on July 23, 2008

Wade — I think that's partly the point in order to get stakeholders to open up and think about their web site in terms they can understand.

If someone says that they want their web site to be more like a Rolls Royce or a Ferrari, you have a pretty good idea of what type of style they're aiming for. It also provides you with a starting point for further questioning.

It's an alternative way to try an understand the aesthetic the client is trying to achieve without reviewing loads of web sites or having them say "I'll know it when I see it."

5. Posted by Christian Watson on July 24, 2008

Cool, point taken. As I said, its just my opinion, every designer will take their own approach though. I just don't want to "baby" my clients. I think that I can relate to them in better ways.

6. Posted by Wade on July 24, 2008

Interesting question. How would you describe your own site, Christian?

7. Posted by Brandon on July 24, 2008

Brandon — good question! Here goes:

If your site was a person, what would he or she be like?

Knowledgeable but approachable. To the point and not waffly. Despite their level of expertise they are friendly and don't take themself too seriously. Someone you'd want to work with.

How would you expect visitors to react when they first view your site?

Wow, there's a lot of great web design-related content here. Look at all this stuff. Hey, there's even more here. Hmm, some good discussions too. I'd better make sure to come back often and/or add it to my RSS feed.

What celebrity (or car, movie, etc.) is your site most like?

Toyota Camry or Honda Accord. Fairly middle-of-the-road in terms of styling, but practical and pleasant to use. Goes on forever providing value in many areas. Good bang for your buck.

8. Posted by Christian Watson on July 24, 2008

If I have to determine the personality of my website, I would say that it is quite fascinating and bright:)

9. Posted by web pixy on July 25, 2008

That's a nice, fresh way to approach it - & a fun way to get creativity flowing!

10. Posted by PLR Website Graphics on July 28, 2008

Yeah Actually i feel everyone have a personality and websites also if they don't have a personality people will hate it!

Thanks for the nice article and the comments also.

11. Posted by Egypt Web Design on July 28, 2008

Those are interesting questions.. but I usually ask more technical ones.

12. Posted by webaddict on July 29, 2008

Ya nice post.

13. Posted by Nancy on July 29, 2008

Great icebreaker! I like that style.

14. Posted by Michael Allton on July 29, 2008

Well, for my Webhosting site. I would say it has a unique rebellious look to most standard sites. With muted but still vibrant colors against a dark high contrast background. With very unique typography. A lot of the images were custom, with no stock images of random people you don't know.
URL: www.podserver.info
Feel free to tell me what you think admin (at) podserver.info

15. Posted by Kev on July 29, 2008

I would say that my site looks like a "Mark Caguioa". He is a local basketball player here in the Philippines. Versatile, fast, unpredictable and gets the job done.

16. Posted by Jemm Cellan on July 30, 2008

Or what about, if your web site was a puppy, would it be a chihuahua or a pincher? Or else if your web site was a function of the body, would it be a kiss or a turd.

17. Posted by Phoenix WebSite Design & Development on August 09, 2008

Great idea! I have started using this technique while it does actually break the ice, it also benefits the design process.

18. Posted by Sydney Web Design on August 11, 2008

Phoenix — I suspect you're not taking this too seriously.

Here's a variation on this theme: if you were a typeface .

19. Posted by Christian Watson on August 13, 2008

Definitely... A personality for website really matters.... I think color as well as presentation style defines the personality of the website

20. Posted by Synergy Informatics on August 22, 2008