In web design, trends are very easy to spot, and they greatly impact us as designers because we are often inclined to follow those trends. You will notice many trends based on the type, or category, of site you are looking at. One category of websites that follow similar trends are software and application websites. This includes everything from Mac applications to web-based apps.
No matter what type of app, the trends are always visible.
One of those trends is the use of a strong and attractive introduction. The introductions welcome the user and provide a very brief but informative description of the software or app. Also, you will notice the use of screenshots, often placed within this introduction. Not only that, the screenshots for web-based applications all follow the trend of placing the screenshot with the browser, generally Safari. There are many software sites that don’t have screenshots though. Instead, you will see that they often include a detailed and vibrant illustration in the introduction.
Furthermore, you will notice trends in navigation. Most sites will use a very simple main navigation bar. The throughout the sites are often similar, too. Software sites usually include pages such as About, Support, Pricing, Features, Tour, and sometimes blog. Finally, you will notice throughout these pages strond use of icons. Icons are an excellent way to support text based elements within a content heavy design.
With all that in mind, take a look at these 35 excellent examples of well-designed software and application websites. To view the full page in further detail, follow the link of the screenshot. Pay attention to the numerous trends mentioned above, and how each one helps the overall usability and visual aspect of the website.
GoodBarry
An eCommerce CMS with many features including Email Marketing, Analytics, and CRM.
Warehouse
A web-based Suberversion browser.
Silverback App
A usability testing software for designers and developers.
Product Planner
This is an excellent web app which allows to plan the flow of web products by looking at other successful plans.
Quick Snapper
An execellent screenshot software for the Mac.
LittleSnapper
Another top screenshot application for Mac.
Postbox
This app offers ways to organize, find, and view mail in an easy manner.
Invoice Machine
This is a simple and easy invoicing service, which is excellent for all freelancers.
Checkout
An award winning sales software for running business. You can easily work with sales, orders, receipts, invoices, and much more.
Espionage
This is a folder protection and security software for Mac.
The Resumator
A very easy and pain free resume building software.
Onehub
A secure and easy way to share files, manage products, and collaborate online.
Invoy
One more invoicing software for the Mac.
Ronin
Yet another excellent invoicing application, but this one is web-based.
freckle
An excellent time management time tracking application.
EventBox
An easy way to organize social networking information from services including Twitter, Facebook, Reader, Flickr, RSS, and Reddit.
Coda
Coda is an award winning web development software. It is arguably the best web development software, competing with Adobe Dreamweaver.
Pixelmator
Pixelmator is one of the top image editing applications and specifically for the Mac.
Traffik
Traffik is a business and corporate CMS.
Things
Things is one of the best task management and productivity applications for Mac.
Socialcast
This is a powerful corporate social networking application.
MailChimp
MailChimp is one of the top HTML email marketing solutions.
Present.ly
Another corporate communication tool/
Espresso
Another awesome development software for the Mac.
Gist
An organized and easy way to track clients in every aspect, from emails and links to news feeds.
Mint
Mint is the premier tool for budgeting and money management.
SousChef
Helps you organize, find, and store recipes with some awesome features.
Anxiety
This is a to-do management software that is easy to use.
Versions
This application helps you to work with Subversion on your Mac.
Evernote
An excellent application that helps you keep track of things by allowing your to create notes, voice notes, screenshots, and more.
WebNotes
Allows you to take notes and highlight content in a web page. You can then organize and share the notes.
ZenSender
A simple email marketing web application.
Miro
Miro is a great app that can play almost any internet video file, and brings access to HD TV shows and podcasts.
Icerberg
Iceberg is an application development software, and allows you to easily create costum applications, and access to an extensive application library.
No matter what type of app, the trends are always visible.
One of those trends is the use of a strong and attractive introduction. The introductions welcome the user and provide a very brief but informative description of the software or app. Also, you will notice the use of screenshots, often placed within this introduction. Not only that, the screenshots for web-based applications all follow the trend of placing the screenshot with the browser, generally Safari. There are many software sites that don’t have screenshots though. Instead, you will see that they often include a detailed and vibrant illustration in the introduction.
Furthermore, you will notice trends in navigation. Most sites will use a very simple main navigation bar. The throughout the sites are often similar, too. Software sites usually include pages such as About, Support, Pricing, Features, Tour, and sometimes blog. Finally, you will notice throughout these pages strond use of icons. Icons are an excellent way to support text based elements within a content heavy design.
With all that in mind, take a look at these 35 excellent examples of well-designed software and application websites. To view the full page in further detail, follow the link of the screenshot. Pay attention to the numerous trends mentioned above, and how each one helps the overall usability and visual aspect of the website.
GoodBarry
An eCommerce CMS with many features including Email Marketing, Analytics, and CRM.
Warehouse
A web-based Suberversion browser.
Silverback App
A usability testing software for designers and developers.
Product Planner
This is an excellent web app which allows to plan the flow of web products by looking at other successful plans.
Quick Snapper
An execellent screenshot software for the Mac.
LittleSnapper
Another top screenshot application for Mac.
Postbox
This app offers ways to organize, find, and view mail in an easy manner.
Invoice Machine
This is a simple and easy invoicing service, which is excellent for all freelancers.
Checkout
An award winning sales software for running business. You can easily work with sales, orders, receipts, invoices, and much more.
Espionage
This is a folder protection and security software for Mac.
The Resumator
A very easy and pain free resume building software.
Onehub
A secure and easy way to share files, manage products, and collaborate online.
Invoy
One more invoicing software for the Mac.
Ronin
Yet another excellent invoicing application, but this one is web-based.
freckle
An excellent time management time tracking application.
EventBox
An easy way to organize social networking information from services including Twitter, Facebook, Reader, Flickr, RSS, and Reddit.
Coda
Coda is an award winning web development software. It is arguably the best web development software, competing with Adobe Dreamweaver.
Pixelmator
Pixelmator is one of the top image editing applications and specifically for the Mac.
Traffik
Traffik is a business and corporate CMS.
Things
Things is one of the best task management and productivity applications for Mac.
Socialcast
This is a powerful corporate social networking application.
MailChimp
MailChimp is one of the top HTML email marketing solutions.
Present.ly
Another corporate communication tool/
Espresso
Another awesome development software for the Mac.
Gist
An organized and easy way to track clients in every aspect, from emails and links to news feeds.
Mint
Mint is the premier tool for budgeting and money management.
SousChef
Helps you organize, find, and store recipes with some awesome features.
Anxiety
This is a to-do management software that is easy to use.
Versions
This application helps you to work with Subversion on your Mac.
Evernote
An excellent application that helps you keep track of things by allowing your to create notes, voice notes, screenshots, and more.
WebNotes
Allows you to take notes and highlight content in a web page. You can then organize and share the notes.
ZenSender
A simple email marketing web application.
Miro
Miro is a great app that can play almost any internet video file, and brings access to HD TV shows and podcasts.
Icerberg
Iceberg is an application development software, and allows you to easily create costum applications, and access to an extensive application library.
Thanks for the tips as they are certainly helpful. :)Besides those I’d also like to add one point if you allow me to do so whenever you’re doing usability testing make sure that you focus on that only. Thus that will be more productive.
ReplyDeleteFor more information check it out: Usability Testing Software
Thanks