The BBC today launched the new drag and drop-tastic version of its homepage, packed with Web 2.0 features and the ability to customise content.
Compared with its previous, relatively cluttered homepage, the new version is nice and clean, with plenty of space for the content and bigger, bolder text.
At the moment though, there is a big, blank space in the middle of the page. This can be filled up by customising the page, but it looks a bit odd:
Just about everything on the new page can now be customised. Entering your town or postcode will ensure that relevant local news and weather is displayed, and you can add or remove the content you wish to see.
If you don't like the default green colour scheme, you can also change this:
All content on the page is customisable and you can add and remove the categories you prefer:
This can also be done within the individual modules so, within news, you can select the types of news content you prefer to see. These modules can also be dragged around the page.
With this new design, the previous navigation options have changed, so users have the choice of finding their way through the site via the modules on display, or via the footer:
This does improve the look of the site, but some users are likely to find the new navigation confusing for a while. Normally, the main navigation works better at the top of the page.
When the beta version of the page was introduced late last year, it was criticised for the chunkiness of the text, and the fact that much of the content was hidden below the fold as the main image was too big.
These criticisms have been dealt with, and both the fonts and the main image have been reduced in size.
Overall though, the new design looks excellent, and by cutting down on the number of links, the page is now much easier to read as well as more appealing to look at.
Related stories:
BBC opens up iPlayer
The Guardian continues its revamp
Reader comments (5)
2:53PM on 27th February 2008
Best bit's the retro clock, no?
Internet Marketing Manager at Optimised Media
8:27AM on 28th February 2008
Looks nice but it is just the homepage that has changed. There is no consistency between the design of the homepage and any other page on the site. Do they need to increase the TV license tax again to complete the rest of the site?
Kaya
9:05AM on 28th February 2008
Don't even think it looks nice - and as Kaya says the rest of the site hasn't changed.
To me it looks like a pretty poor "me too" Web 2.0 design - and is not what you expect from an authority site like the BBC. Yet more dumbing down from the Beeb.
Big mistake.
I do like the retro clock though :-)
9:41AM on 1st March 2008
The large and fixed promo block is a bit like being bombarded with adverts for other programmes before you get to the one you turned on to watch or listen to. Oh I forgot, they do that as well.
If you are going to allow people choice in what they can see on the page I don't see why you should nail something in the most useful space on the screen. Unless you always know best what is good for us of course.
If the promo block is as essential and useful as they say it is why not test this by letting people decide where they want to put it?
Oh, and the clock is totally redundant.
2:45PM on 5th March 2008
I agree with George!
it doesn't go with the rest of the website, it just looks messy and come on! this is the BBC, you'd expect something more "professional" looking!
i wonder if the new site look has affected the number of hits...?
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