E-commerce

The components of Amazon.com define one that is sound and useful to the users or the audience.  It clearly identifies the target market, the main objective, the layout, the design, graphical elements, usability, content, and navigation.

Based on the design of the website, the audience or the target market include people who are enrolled in schools as well as those who have graduated but are still looking for more information in books or movies.  They also target those who may not be in need of books but find them attractive and useful.  The purpose of the website is to encourage the audience to purchase their products electronically by displaying an array of books that are displayed according to subject, as well as products like movies, music, and games, digital downloads, computer and office, electronics, home, garden and pets, and many more.

The overall design meets the needs of the audience by making it clear and plainone that a tired audience would most likely want.  Thus, they use a white background that makes the graphics and the texts more clear and obvious.  The overall design meets the needs of the audience by using a navigation structure that is apparent, while displaying links to the advanced search, browse subjects, new releases, bestsellers, New York Times bestsellers, libros en espaol, bargain books, as well as textbooks.  There are even links to the author and key phrases that would lead the audience to books that are under that subject.  There is a link to the cart and wish list, and in stock is used to identify products available in the company.

The design or the use of color, fonts, background, and animation are also friendly to users.  Because the users are most likely those who are busy and somewhat weary, the website has put a background that is plain white.  The website uses orange font (in some cases) to get attraction from the users, and uses blue in displaying some fonts more subtly.  The font used is clear even from a distance and words that are links are being displayed in blue color that is clear and lucid.  The title of the book is being displayed in larger fonts, which are helpful to the users in analyzing the title of the book that is being displayed.  There are no animations used, as a way of promoting a more subtle and plain type of design.

The graphical element enhances the website by displaying icons (e.g., cart, graphs) and pictures of books and products that make them attractive and helpful to the audience.  There are also stars used in the customer reviews of books, which help the audience identify the type of product that is being displayed in the website.  The most helpful graphical element, however, are the pictures of books and products that give emphasis on the particular product, making the website a sound electronic way of selling products to internet users.

The usability of the site is also of good quality.  The links are very helpful, and the page layout displays a navigation layout that is clear and not crammed.  However, what is most attractive is the ability of the user to search inside the book and see the first pages, as well as present an overall survey of what customers usually buy after viewing the item.  The website is usable to audience who are searching for books in different topics or areas, and the search icon fulfills this need of the users.  The look inside feature makes the website very usable to the audience, giving the audience a reason for buying their products.

The overall content of the website is also attractive.  It is clearly well-written, and the content is evidently organized according to subject or product.  It meets the needs of the audience by presenting to the audience what they would most likely look for (e.g., search icon, surveys, pictures of products).  It also meets the overall purpose of the website, which is to encourage the audience into buying their products.  By presenting graphical representations of the products, the audience is inclined to buy products from the website.

The navigation is also very helpful, as it makes the key elements easier to find and purchase.   Obviously, it adds to the site, with a logical navigation that is user-friendly and consistent, and with key elements that are easy to find.  The overall design of the website makes the website attractive and functional, making it prominent to website users.