Levels of Website Interactivity

Whenever I mention website interactivity, I often see people around me wonder what is website interactivity? Making a website interesting and engaging, interests users and causes them to spend more time on the site. It’s all about enriching user experience. Any website, that presents content in an interactive way will tend to hold user attention. However, over the years, I have noticed the many levels of website interactivity. These levels may have been known to us but we have probably never noticed the gradual change in website design.

I have tried to categorize the interactivities in various levels and cited them with few examples.

Level 1: Using Basic HTML effects


This was the basics of the phenomenal change that we see today. At level 1, I aptly put in examples of websites that include the basic things such as color change for roll over or tool tips that appear for different sections. Websites used revolving text, banners that moved around; images that had some effect such as blinking images, pop ups to share additional information etc. The example given above shows a neat designed popup to show additional information once the cursor hovers above a particular image

Level 2: Displaying Information Through Creative Ways


The websites that belong to the level 2 category had some more amount of interactivity. By now, websites had some new ways to improve presentation of the information. New Technologies like AJAX are used creatively to attract users. For example, by holding the cursor over the heading, an area can be enlarged based on user action. This presents more information on the page without diverting the user to another page. Also, this keeps a user focused on the required information instead of displaying complete information in one go. The example above shows how certain headings are highlighted and linked in grey so that users can access information easily whilst browsing the site.

Level 3: Flash Animations and Videos


Level 3 websites witnessed a further change. Web designers used flash animations and photo sliders to present content in an engaging way. This brought about a livelier change in websites. In the above example, the website deals with accessories and clothing for those who love to skate or surf. There is a very ingenious use of a skating video on the website with the use of flash to engage users.

Level 4: Interactions Based on User Inputs

By now, websites had a higher level of interactivity. As compared to flash interactions in the previous levels which displayed the information, the interactivities now invited users to click for interesting inputs. In the above example, the website ensures that users interact and provide inputs related to the product ensuring users are kept on the page. Interesting surveys about coffee preferences support the subject making the website a success with users.

Level 5: 3D Interactivity


This level is about the highest levels of interactivity for website design. Here, the focus is on the use of 3Dimensional interactivities for websites. The incorporation of 3Dimensional elements to present content has seen many creative forms. In the example above, there is a use of 3Dimensional forms to present the matter. The website is built upon the concept of implementing the power of visuals! Apart from this, websites that use 3D cubes, panning cards, 3D flip books, interactive site maps etc, all belong to this level 5.

I am sure these levels are the stepping stone for website interactivity. Web designers have more scope in terms of creativity and I am certainly looking forward to many such creative canvasses!

Target View Size: Mistaken Identity!

Sometimes I'm confused by what I think is really obvious. But what I think is really obvious obviously isn't obvious...

- Michael Stipe

You might be thinking deeply about this statement or might be…well, plain confused. It does happen that the obvious is not actually obvious! There should be no confusion about this statement. As I know that everyone often fails to see the obvious in life.

These words have flowed from my mind for a reason. It was just another sunny day and I read yet another mail that brought with it the same confusion. No, I am no agony aunt out here; I meant it was related to the product - Raptivity Web Expert. Similar kinds of mails over a couple of days prompted me to put my thoughts into words. The common thread was all about an option provided in Raptivity Web Expert. I am talking about ‘Target View Size’.

The Target View Size panel is used to view the interactivity in the required height and width in pixels. When a user makes a change in either of the two, the other is calculated automatically. This is particularly useful to preview the interactivity in a given size. This does not affect the actual size of the interactivity output.

If you require the interactivity to fit into a defined space on your web page, you can make use of this option to preview the interactivity. The Target View Size panel helps you to view how the interactivity will appear in a given size. As correctly labeled, it is “Target View Size” and not “Target Size. The difference in both is that the former is meant only for preview and the latter is about a change in the actual size.

A simple option for a solution…but then, not all things can be really simple! At our end, we will definitely try to make things easier for you! In the meantime, suggestions are welcome…

Interactivity: An Important Ingredient in Web Design

Creativity should flow effortlessly. This applies to all facets of creative design. When creative ideas are implemented with great ease, the result lies in effortless and attractive design. Website design offers many such avenues for designers to discover their creativity especially with the use of Rapid Interactivity, a new phenomenon.

A basic problem that is seen in website design is the lack of time or knowledge of different packages that is required to create a good website layout. I have seen creative web designers who are unable to translate their ideas into the website. If we search the Internet today, we can find numerous ways through which one can have an attractive website without the need to know complex things about design!

Let us study some simple examples that can give an idea how certain subjects can be presented in an interesting way for users, with the use of a 3Dimensional cube. Give a thought and you will understand how a product feature can be presented in an interesting way. The most common way would be to have a catalogue style or rows of photographs that display the product. This may not necessarily interest users. Take a look at the 3Dimensional cube below to know how it can be used differently for various websites that deal in diverse topics.

This example shows how a 3Dimensional cube can present various angles of a mobile phone. The cube engages the user while presenting information about the product.

A travel website can look interesting when a 3Dimensional cube is used to present the top destinations. This 3Dimensional cube showcases some popular destinations in London.

A movie review site or one that is related to showing the listings can use this cube to present the top movies of 2009! This breaks away the usual trend of listing movies in a tabular format.

Top Designers of the Fashion Industry

Fashion trends have seen an enormous change over the past many years. Today, fashion spells luxury which is visible with the large budgets being planned by fashionistas! True fashionistas never bother with issues such as the price tag. In fact, it is the label that holds most value for any fashion Diva!

The basic question remains in what draws fashionistas to splurge on these labels? Some may argue it’s all about the name and nothing more to it. The truth is that the trendsetters in the history of fashion were such that their names can never be taken over or erased. Such is the power of fashion designers throughout the history of fashion who have carved a niche for themselves in the glorious world of fashion. On this note, let’s take a look at some of the top 10 fashion designers of all times!

*This picture show is designed with Raptivity Web Expert.

Image Courtesy: Google Image

Top Ten Twitter Applications that are a Must-Have!

The world is tweeting and how! Twitter, a social networking web site is all about micro-blogging which took the world by storm. Well, when I first had a glance at Twitter I wondered what all the fuss was about! But as time unfolded, I realized there surely is more to it, sorry…let me rephrase that! There’s more to tweets than meets the eye!

It’s amazing how a simple concept has metamorphosed into something that has become a norm for users. What’s the most amazing thing are the Twitter applications also known as Twitter Tools. These enhance many aspects of Twitter and are a rage today. The concept of the application could be for any reason. It can improve the way you tweet or make this service easily accessible. If you’re confused about what I am trying to convey, skim through this 3Dimensional Flip Book. It contains a sneak peak of the 10 most popular Twitter Applications… However, don’t stick to this list only. There’s more in store.

I’m getting back to tweeting (@RWebExpert)…catch you there!

3D Flip book getting downloaded...



* This 3Dimensional Flip Book is made with Raptivity Web Expert

Make Your Travel Site Engaging!

Present hottest travel offers in a unique and engaging manner!

Today’s urban travelers have gone beyond the traditional means of doing their bookings through travel agents. Those days are passé, when travelers called up their agents to know about interesting destinations and packages. Therefore, travel companies faced the constant challenge to attract travelers and ensure the travelers stay well-informed about various deals and hottest destinations.

Today, web sites have the power to reach out to a wider group of people and even influence their decisions. In travel/leisure sites it is important to display various deals and hottest destinations to the users in such a way that helps them to make informed decisions about their travel. Many travel companies are therefore focusing on the design and content of their web sites in order to ensure the message has the appropriate effect on the users.

In an effort to be heard from amongst the competitors, travel companies are always doing their best for the promotion of their services and offers. There is a constant need for web developers and web designers to come up with innovative ideas for creatively designed web sites.

In a travel web site, there is plenty of content to be displayed. Content that is presented in a staid fashion may only give information and fail to attract users. Presenting content in a common manner hardly does justice to a travel web site. After all, travel is connected with the beauty of places all across the globe and presentation is the keyword out here! To create interesting and engaging ways of presenting information requires conceptualizing and programming which may prove to be a difficult factor with time bound deadlines.

In cases like these, one must have hoped for a solution wherein you can present your message in an interactive manner that attracts users and generates revenue. Imagine a travel site displaying Seven Wonders of the World in an interactive panning cards form where user is engaged by clicking on each card to know more about the travel destination. This surely turns out to be more effective than a static layout with buttons and panels that classify categories of information.

These interactions can be added very easily to turn an otherwise unnoticed web site into an eye-catching one! Interesting interactions that make a web site stand apart from the rest is what Raptivity Web Expert all about! It provides a library of such engaging interactions which is useful to create an engaging web site rather than showing the information in a simple textual way. The benefits do not stop here! These types of compelling interactions can be created in minutes through simple customization sans programming.

A web site created using Raptivity Web Expert changes the way people interact with your site. Users will enjoy exploring the web site and knowing about travel offers at the click of their fingers!

When there are so many benefits of Raptivity Web Expert, it sure does deserve some more in-depth attention! Do explore Raptivity Web Expert