Just saw this article at Nature about how visitors to a website can form an impression about it in just 50 milliseconds. We all think that content is important but this article argues that the first impression will give your site a "halo effect" that lends to credible content - even if there are a few flaws. They also talk about simple design with just one focus image per page.I better get a new design on some of my sites!
1/20th of a second!? Ouch! I plead guilty. Every site I have ever made sucks hehe. I'm sure there are good things about them, but the 1/20th rule would kill me. SEOmoz.org on the other hand, on my first impression, was an excellently visually pleasing and easy to use site!
Yoink! Definitely quoting this stat to sell my services ;-)
I think its true.. when I see a website that does not appeal to me, I leave before even giving it a second thought. why navigate something that does not look good?
I asked my wife since this is more her field and there are some truth in this. I am glad that this is a web design issue, and not a directly SEO issue (however it would effect the growth of natrual links making it a SEO issue).
There is a book called broken windows and it is sort of similar to what you are saying. The book Broken Windows says that if there is just a simple flaw like a spelling mistke (lol) people will instantly assume that the same lack of detail runs right through the entire business and creeps into larger and more important parts. But design is for sissies and gets in the way of your spider food.
seoplebian: "But design is for sissies and gets in the way of your spider food."
lol... I agree! But, still, I wonder if I can hire a sissy who is smart enough to feed the spiders and give me nice design. I like sites with a ton of links on every page - a big big menu. Have you seen any sites with nice design and a ton of links?
lol - my cached pages don't even load that fast.