Website Design - Online Presence

Online presence is very important to the development of CitySwitch. For internationals it will be the first thing they may see in relation to the organisation.
Here are some good websites with tips and precedents:

Noupe
http://www.noupe.com/design/simplicity-in-good-web-design-advantages-how-to.html

image from http://www.noupe.com/design/simplicity-in-good-web-design-advantages-how-to.html

This website's really interesting because it emphasise simplicity which is sometimes very much lost in website design when people don't approach it like print based media. It is important to remember white space, the way the public will "read" the website (chances are scanning it) and maintaining a heirachy of information.

MyInkBlog
http://www.myinkblog.com/2009/03/21/4-principles-of-good-design-for-websites/

image from http://www.myinkblog.com/2009/03/21/4-principles-of-good-design-for-websites/

A great website with precedents, most of the content relates to image and text use. It emphasises the "correct" use of colour and contrast to the important parts of the website. Due to the fact that people scan a website. The graphic nature of the typology as well as its sparseness is really helpful in rendering the website useful.

NY Times Personal Tech
http://gadgetwise.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/05/01/10-ways-to-design-a-good-web-site/

Ironically this website's really dry however the information it gives about prepping before design and navigation through the website. It notes the importance of clarity through all parts of the website design and use process.

Smashing Magazine
http://www.smashingmagazine.com/2008/01/31/10-principles-of-effective-web-design/

Yet again, a dry website however very clear. It dictates that you should make it easy and don't make users think. That's basically the gist of all the website's I've seen and that are in this post. Simple and easy wins the race.