reasons why users will make a return to APPLE.com?

I would like to make a return to APPLE (www.apple.com) web site because of a wide range of latest and modern electronic devices are provided to be purchased, such as iPhone, iPod and Mac. APPLE allows user to make a comparison between their products through the web site, for example, a comparison list between iPhone 3G and iPhone 3Gs is listed in one of the pages which enable user to understand the features and function of both products clearer.
(http://store.apple.com/us/browse/home/shop_iphone/family/iphone?mco=MTE2OTU)

Besides, the dimension that the site was built is interactive and attractive. The products in the web site are welly allocated and displayed, and it has helped to create a desire in me to purchase for the product of APPLE. Not only that, APPLE also offers different colors of iPod for the users to select the favourite color of iPod they want. It shows that how considerate and thoughtful APPLE is.
(http://store.apple.com/us/browse/home/shop_ipod/family/ipod_nano?mco=MTE2NTc)

Next, APPLE allows their users to download various of software online, for free! It means that the users of APPLE product are allow to download the software and upgrade their product at anytime, anywhere, with no charge for their work or entertainment. So i believe the users would make a return to APPLE every once in a while to check out the latest downloadable software available in the web site.
(http://www.apple.com/downloads/)

As a conclusion, with the benefits and satisfactions offered by APPLE web site, a smart user or consumer would definitely make a return to the web site.

commerce - the 7 Cs of the web site

One of the transaction capacities of APPLE is shopping cart. The users are allowed to place items into their personal virtual shopping cart. Items can be stored or purchased immediately after placing the items into shopping cart.

item can be added to shopping cart (red circle)

this page shows the items stored in the user's shopping cart

Besides, APPLE also provide order tracking, which the user is given the ability to check the delivery status of the items they ordered.

user may key in the order number and
shipping address zip code to check the order status

Not only that, after user purchased an item from APPLE, they are allow to choose the delivery speed which convenient them the most.

there are few options for users to choose the delivery time

connection - the 7 Cs of the web site

APPLE uses only one dimension of connection, which is the "links to sites" connection. It takes user completely outside the APPLE site and into a third-party side.

For example, APPLE is incorporating with maxis to promote its newly launched product, iPhone 3G. So, the site provided a connection for those who are interesting to purchase this product into maxis web site for more information.

"learn more" button allows user to be linked to maxis site

this is maxis web site the user will be linked to

communication - the 7 Cs of the web site

The dimension of communication APPLE web site using is hybrid. It is a combination of broadcast and interactive communication.

Podcasting FAQ is provided in the APPLE web site. It is a example of one-way information exchange from APPLE to users. (broadcast)


Also, APPLE offers Online Support Feedback for users to make a comment on how APPLE can do to improve their resources or report any problems the user facing while browsing the web site. It is a example of two-way communication between APPLE and users. (interactive)


Moreover, the site offers software tools as "freeware" that users can download and use at no charge for their work or entertainment. User often pass this free software to friends and, in essence, provide free marketing for APPLE web site. For example, software "Safari 4" is available in APPLE which allows user to download it at no cost. (hybrid)

many other free software available in APPLE

community - the 7 Cs of the web site

APPLE has community in its web site by allowing users to access discussion to find solutions or answers for their problems.

-community provided for users (red circle)


-users may select any products they would like to know more

-the discussion topic

-users may reply to the topic (red circle) to give suggestion or opinion about the APPLE after reading the content. It helps to build closer relationship among users.


Beside discussion, APPLE also offers forum in the web site, which allow users (guests) to further their discussion and problems.

-a registered guest can create a forum through filling up the forum setting page.


-this is the profile of one of the top users in the forum- niel

customisation - the 7 Cs of the web site

APPLE web site uses two dimensions of customisation - personalisation and tailoring.

Personalisation

The site offers users to create an Apple ID, which allows users to personalize their experience on MobileMe, the Apple Store and the Support site.

A registration page will be offered to users if they are willing to sign in. Users are required to fill in basic personal information in order to create an Apple ID account.

Basic information required

Tailoring

APPLE allows users to specify their preferences in language so that users can easily understand the content.

Not only that, it also allows users to choose and purchase their favourite color of iPod nano. This shows that APPLE is costomized based on behaviour of different users with similar preferences.

Different colors of iPod nano to be choosen

content - the 7 Cs of the web site

APPLE uses several types of dimensions of content to present its products, promotions, and latest information of the web site.

First of all, it uses offering mix to show the product's features and benefits. For example, visitors are able to read the information about iPhone regarding its benefits, apps for iPhone, 3.0 software update, and new in MobileMe.

Secondly, there are promotional and communications messaging projected by APPLE in the web site. It shows that APPLE is using cognitive appeal mix content as well. For example, you can see there are few promotional columns on the web site like Introducing iPhone 3G, buy and get free iPod touch, and zero in on a new Mac.

Lastly, APPLE also provide a number of media for the visitors to explore. For exampla, the image and graphic of certain products, downloadable music, featured video and downloadable software.

- featured video

- music

- games + apps

-downloadable software

APPLE is having current content on the major part of its web site, which mean it does not require frequent updates as the information, promotion, and prices of the products not much changes even after a period of time.

However, a minor part of the website is using time-sensitive content. For example, the downloadable software would change from time to time when a new product is launched in the market to meet the visitors' demands.

context - the 7 Cs of the web site

APPLE is using hybrid design in its web site, which mean a combination of both aesthetics and functional dimensions.

For the aesthetics part, we can see that the promotion of "the new MacBook Pro family" is highly visual in the middle column , with appealing images of 3 different sizes of MacBook Pro so that the visitors can have a clearer picture in their mind about the products. APPLE's site strategy not only focuses on product offering but attract customer through its identification with modern and flexibility of products.

On the other hand, APPLE's functional dimension can be seen clearly from offering several options for visitors to access and view its latest electronic products, downloadable softwares, and all the checkout options that visitors have come to expect, in a clean and simple design package.

Is APPLE a good wed site??

To me, the answer is definitely YES. A good website can be divided into few catogories to describe its design features, which includes the text, navigation, graphic and general design. Apple ( http://www.apple.com/ ) has fulfilled the basic requirement features of being a good web site.

First of all, the background does not interupt the text. It uses a plain white background to make the visitors only focus on the text and products pictures. Besides, the text is big enough to read, but not too big. The hierarchy of information is perfectly clear for the visitors to read.

Secondly, the navigation buttons and bars of the web pages are easy to understand and use. For instance, if you want to read more information about iPhone, you may just move your mouse cursor to the navigation bar and click on the "iPhone" then it will bring you to the page. The navigation bar are consistently throughout the web pages. It located on the same position in every pages. Beside that, the frame are not obtrusive because the web site is using frame to display its information. It helps visitors to read and view conveniently.

Next, the graphic of this web site. Its graphic and background using browser-safe colors and certain graphic has an alt label. Moreover, some of the graphic link has a matching text link. For example, different product in "store" page will have different link to other pages for visitors to get more information.

Lastly, the general design of the web pages. The pages can be downloaded quickly in seconds, it saves the visitors' time. Yet, every web page in the upper site (tagline) looks like it belongs to the same site. The logo of APPLE is repeatedly carried throughout the pages.

However, nothing can be perfect, but only keep improving our strengths in order to survive in this competitive age. A web site represents the image of a company, so the features of the web site should be appropriate to show the professionalism and maintain the visitors loyalty for the long run.