Blog
“What we see depends mainly on what we look for.” ~ Sir John Lubbock
April 13th, 2010
The Quote: “What we see depends mainly on what we look for.” ~ Sir John Lubbock
How it pertains to web design:
When designing a website or social network it is very easy to confuse this profound message by Sir John Lubbock. However, if you can take a step back and truly recognize what your users will be using your website or social network for, you can easily avoid this trap. You see, we are all looking for different things in life. This is as true with design as it is with relationships. How many of you are attracted to the exact same girls or guys as your friends? I am willing to bet that there are many instances where you and your friend disagree on who is attractive and who is not. Likewise, there are certain clothing styles, trends, and automobile designs that you and your friend may disagree on, when choosing “the best.” If this were not so, and there was some sort of magical formula to designing the best anything for EVERYONE, life would be very boring. Since you do not want your website to be boring, you must accept the fact that “What we see depends mainly on what we look for.”
When designing your social network or website, ask yourself who your audience really is. What do they like? What inspires them? Is it possible to observe what style of clothes, trends, or automobiles they prefer? What do they have in common? Then ask yourself how much you have in common with them. If you are fortunate, you will know your audience, because you are your audience. For example, if you are designing a dating network for the national society of chemists, and you are actually a member, your design input is quite valuable. However, if you do not relate well to your audience, but do relate well to customer service, there is no reason why you cannot design an amazing website or social network for your niche market. All you need to do is think slightly outside the box. In the information age, “I don’t know” is never an answer. There are literally hundred of ways for you to do free market research. The two most successful methods I have found in researching design for niche websites are:
1. Amazon.com (Magazine section)
If your niche truly has enough people in it to make your endeavor worthwhile, there will be a magazine covering what you hope to cover online. This magazine has probably done loads of market research. Once you find the magazine, you will want to cover your bases by doing a Google search for complaints against the magazine found in various forums. If complaints exist, this is great! Design your new website with these complaints in mind.
2. Related forums
If you did find a complaint on the magazine design or layout, you probably found it in a related forum. If your niche already has a popular forum, you have essentially hit the market research jackpot. Grab a latte, smoothie or whatever else you prefer and devote the next 1-2 hours to reading everything on that forum. Get inside the mind of your niche market. Once you do this, you will be 10 steps ahead of any competition you will face. In economics, we call this the second mover advantage.
Honestly, this whole process is very easy once you know what it is you are looking for. It is nearly impossible when you do not know what to look for. Just like anything else in life, knowledge is power. At 2090 Group, we truly want everyone to succeed in their online endeavors. As long as you are willing to build a brand and not fulfill some sort of “get rich quick” fantasy, you will be successful. Hopefully the two methods mentioned above will help you out as you plan and execute your online business.
Take care,
Nick Gilboy
Director: Creative Development
2090 Group LLC
I’ve recently started a blog, the information you provide on this site has helped me tremendously. Thank you for all of your time & work.
You wrote an superb article, but this article can also be thought provoking, and I will need to ponder it a bit more; I will be back when I’m free.
I’ve created many ebooks (Clickbank) and Adsense sites that have done pretty well. But one of my more recent sites isn’t doing too well traffic-wise or income wise.
Would it be alright if I link to your web site, from my web page? I’m researching and need to round up as many sources of info as I am able.
Thankyou, that is extremely nice information, thanks.
cheers very much, I must announce that your blog is amazing!
awesome stuff, cheers man
Hey can I quote some of the content from this entry if I reference you with a linkback?
Just bookmarked your site, thanks for sharing!
Blogs Very informative article. I’ve found your blog via Yahoo and I?m really glad about the information you provide in your posts. Thank You for sharing this very informative article… Regards
I like the first point you made there, but I am not sure I could reasonably apply that in a postive way.
Much like usual you’ve presented some superb insight. Been lurking on the website for a little bit and wanted to thank you for taking the time to write it.
good share, great article, very usefull for us…thank you
really appreciate YOU — thanks a lot!
great post as usual!
Great One…
Thanks. My link:http://qilyhft.unblog.fr/ ,Thanks again….
Great One…
Thanks. My link, do you like http://londonsme.blog.ca/ ,Thanks again….
Great One…
Thanks. My link, do you like http://mhgytfd.zoomblog.com/ ,Thanks again….
Great One…
Thanks. My link, do you like http://londonsme.blog.ca/ ,Thanks again….