Week 12.1

Todays class we started content area studies. For this we looked for 5 websites that have similar content to our own (In my case the Candy Lady site). We then identified the content elements on both the home page and a sub page of each site. This was a way to see patterns in site that have similar content to our own and eventually be able to apply it to our site as well. Below are the sites I used as well as the area study for each. My findings are at the bottom of the page as well.

http://www.momandpopcorn.com/candy/saltwatertaffy.html

 

http://www.valerieconfections.com/shop.html

http://www.gertrudehawkchocolates.com/products

http://www.godiva.com/chocolate-menu/collections,default,sc.html

http://stores.phillysweettooth.com/-strse-Nostalgic-Candy/Categories.bok

When going over all the different sites I looked at. I found many differences and similarities between the home page and sub page of each. One thing that was similar was how the product pages where presented. Mostly it would be just a page of products with an option to add to your cart. Going with that I also noticed that your cart was usually easily accessible on each page. Breadcrumbs were really hit or miss with these sites. I think they are less important for this type of webpage since there wont be too many layers to dive into the site. I did notice that on the more expensive chocolate sites, there seemed to be more of an impact section pulling you in. An example was on Valerie Confections site  where the home page was simply just a large scrolling photo of cakes and chocolate. On the more fun sites (ex: Philly sweet tooth) the home page was almost an introduction to what you could go to on the site. The images where all links to take you to a different candy type. All of the sites I looked at also had a main navigation going across the top and a side bar navigation on the home page or sub pages as well. This may be something to look into with my site, especially with the types of candy category since there are so many options and no way to split them up.