10 {{ upvoteCount | shortNum }}
10 {{ upvoteCount | shortNum }}

Which is the best side?

by XYZcontent
9 replies
Hello everyone!

I've been working on a website recently and I came across a dilemma that surely some of you must know how to answer.

The problem surges when trying to decide on which side I put the column for the menus, the search bar and maybe an opt-in. I'm sure there is a logical explanation from a phycological point of view. If anyone out there knows the answer I would highly appreciate it.

Thank you in advance!
#side
  • Profile picture of the author Donowhy
    Hey, I hate to be the guy that does this but there is actually a subforum about website design. I believe your question could be answered better over there.

    That being said- Its hard to say, really. Right now there seems to be a pretty standard layout for certain types of sites (blogs, forums, sales pages, etc.).
    But then you have those creative innovators that flip the switch and come out with something like Flat UI Design.

    Study what works, but don't let that stop you from creating the next biggest thing
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8843660].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author optionmedia
      I find it more comfortable for my eyes/brain when it is on the right hand side. I would say that I see more sites with all this stuff on the right.

      Check out what the BIG guys do...maybe they have actually spent money and tested this.

      Interesting question though...the whole left/right brain thing may be in play here. We see it on the right but it registers in the left side of the brain.
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8843683].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author simonpiemon
    I'll bite: the "best" side for a side bar, in my opinion, is the right hand side.
    Signature

    My stuff...
    1 simoncrabb.com (consulting and coaching - I've been a full time affiliate marketer since 2000)
    2 plrproducers.com (free and paid PLR products)
    3 concealeddeals.com (digital downloads deals site)

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8843673].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Lightlysalted
    Yep I agree. Menu bar on the right and your adsense/advertising banner on the left.
    Signature
    UK Pet Sitting Directory
    Free Delivery Codes
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8843677].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author XYZcontent
    Thank you for all the answers. Seems like the right side is the side I should be looking at!
    Signature
    Your one-stop shop for all written content.

    Visit us at XYZcontent.com
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8843695].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author RobinInTexas
    I would lean toward placing the navigation and informational things to the right of and/or below the content, and advertising and action (opt in) items to the left and above the content.

    And give yourself a lot more than a half hour so other warriors can weigh in with opinions, as there will likely be more on this issue.
    Signature

    Robin



    ...Even if you're on the right track, you'll get run over if you just set there.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8843717].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Adie
    Originally Posted by XYZcontent View Post

    Hello everyone!

    I've been working on a website recently and I came across a dilemma that surely some of you must know how to answer.

    The problem surges when trying to decide on which side I put the column for the menus, the search bar and maybe an opt-in. I'm sure there is a logical explanation from a phycological point of view. If anyone out there knows the answer I would highly appreciate it.

    Thank you in advance!
    I think these articles could help you better to decide:

    Scrolling and Attention (Jakob Nielsen's Alertbox)
    Summary: Web users spend 80% of their time looking at information above the page fold. Although users do scroll, they allocate only 20% of their attention below the fold.

    http://www.nngroup.com/articles/hori...on-leans-left/
    Summary: Web users spend 69% of their time viewing the left half of the page and 30% viewing the right half. A conventional layout is thus more likely to make sites profitable.
    Signature



    Moderator's Note: You're only allowed to put your own products or sites in your signature.

    Signature edited.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8843830].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Rok Solid
    Google, Bing and Yahoo have all been placing their paid ads on the right for years apparently based on heat map research so if this is where the big boys are placing their premium content then this is where you should probably put yours.

    The question now is which content do you consider premium?

    If you want visitors to focus on your articles then they should be on the right. If you want them to focus on the menus then that's what should be on the right.
    Signature

    I don't send traffic traffic to opt in pages anymore. I Do This instead...

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8843937].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author savidge4
      There is kinda sorta 3 basic patterns in web design. The "Z" the "F" and the "zig-zag." These patterns are based on scientific research on how the eye follows along on a webpage. There are variable involved in the effectiveness of each of these but I wont get into those there.

      There is 'Z"
      Your eye goes left to right, down across back to the left and across again at the bottom to the right. This pattern can be visualized as a 1 inch band following the pattern. You want to ensure the information you most want to convey falls in this pattern.

      The "F"
      This pattern takes into account the "Fold" your eye again goes left to right across the back, sweeps back, goes down, and sweeps left to right across the fold, goes back, then straight to the bottom. (left side.) This pattern suggests you want your ads and such on the right side below say your navigation. This happens to be the pattern I most focus on in web site design.

      Finally "Zig-Zag"
      This pattern suggest the readers eyes sweeps from top left to right down about 2 inches back to the left, across to the right down 2 inches etc... If you have the visual content to back this pattern up it's very affective in using maximum real estate.

      Hope that Helps!
      Signature
      Success is an ACT not an idea
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8843978].message }}

Trending Topics