Factors for Designing Organizational Websites

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Institution

Businesses deploy websites for the commercial activities due to the widespread use and dependency on web technology. An organization should consider factors put into consideration while designing an organizational website (Herbert et al, 2012). This discussion will focus on websites from three retail stores namely; Zappos, Men’s Wearhouse, and Nordstroms. These retail stores have so far produced the best websites that the organization should aim at adapting.

Zappos management has taken a step in maintaining the website simple so that customers have an easier time accessing it. Simple websites provide an easier navigation and makes customers shopping easier and fact. On the other hand, Zappos provide the most reliable website for online shopping since web pages and links are easily downloaded. Customers do not wait for a long time while downloading company files (Zappos Milestone, 2013). Nordstroms Company website also is easily accessible and customers access links quickly, but not as fast compared to Zappos (Nordstrom, 2013). Organizations should provide an online application forms for potential candidates to use while submitting an application (Herbert et al, 2012). The three companies analyzed have a provision for this. Moreover, Men’s Wearhouse has gone a step further to load the applications forms and make them accessible in all company databases (Men’s Wearhouse, 2013). According to Wilson (2013), an organizational website should save money in terms of online efficiencies. Providing an online application process saves the company the cost of printing application forms and sending them to potential tendering firms.

Information about culture is particularly crucial for an organization development and growth. Most employees require knowledge of the organization culture in order to make a decision about joining it or not (Herbert et al, 2012). Zappos, Mens Wearhouse, and Nordstrom’s websites have well explained culture in their websites matching the requirement of each retail store. Putting the necessary information about an organization is another factor that a website must have. Nordstroms management has made available only the company’s necessary information required by new applicants and customers. Zappos has included a lot of unnecessary information in their website that give readers a lot of confusion in fishing the valuable information (Zappos Milestone, 2013). In addition, the organization’s website should have such an arrangement resembling Men’s Wearhouse’s website because all the necessary information is easily searched. Moreover, the organizational information in the website should have a systematic arrangement in order to attract viewers on first sight (Men’s Wearhouse, 2013).

According to Herbert et al (2012), selected links on relevant websites always makes it easier for browsers to access information about an organization. They make necessary calculations related to products and services offered. Zappos’ Retail Market website provides many links where customers check the costs of various products and make a comparison. The website should also give links that direct the customer on how to acquire a product and the most appropriate mode of payment (Zappos Milestone, 2013). On the other hand, Nordstroms’ website has modified its website to include a section for career advice directed to new recruits in the company. Lastly, an organization should consider the factor on keeping current information. The business world advances at a high rate as technology also keeps on growing. The high rate of globalization has made Zappos, Nordstroms and Mens Wearhouse retail shops keep on updating their website most frequently to keep browsers informed. In case, an organization wants to recruit new staff day to day update on the current organization information is extremely necessary.

By adapting the above 7 factors in designing the website, the organization enjoys all benefits necessary for growth and increased productivity.

References

Herbert, G. H III., Timothy A. J., and John D. Kammeyer-Mueller. (2012). Staffing

Organizations. McGraw Hill/Irwin. Print, p. 248.

Men’s Wearhouse. (2013). Men’s Clothing – Men’s Suits, Dress Shirts & More | Men’s

Wearhouse. Retrieved February from:

http://www.menswearhouse.com/shop/Ho

Nordstrom. (2013). Company History. Retrieved from;

http://shop.nordstrom.com/c/company-history

Wilson, R. (2013). 12 Website Design Decisions Your Business or Organization Will Need to

Make. Retrieved from:

http://webmarketingtoday.com/articles/12design/

Zappos Milestone. (2013). Timeline – Markets – Footwear News – WWD.com. Fashion, Beauty

and Retail News – WWD.com. Retrieved February from:

http://www.wwd.com/footwear-news/markets/zappos-milestone-timeline-2121760