| May's WETA Award winner is... |
| Waiotapu Thermal Wonderland |
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If there's a pattern emerging amongst WETA Award winners it must be this. Keep the layout simple and the quality of content high. This formula seems not only help web designers win awards but, more importantly, ensures a site will perform well.
Because the Waiotapu site gets so much right, it probably isn't the best example to illustrate what NOT to do! But we'll try. You won't find hundreds of hideous hues, rather, a tasteful two tone colour scheme (Deep blue/green and cream). No distracting animated gifs or decorative (non-functional) java applets. The site is not littered with third party banners or affiliate logos. I'm sure we don't need to explain what we are talking about. Everyone must have seen more than one site with all of the above (lets just hope it isn't your own). Not only does this site lack the aforementioned distractions, Waiotapu and their web designers have considered what is needed to make learning about their attraction an easy, logical and fun process. Take the "guide map" for example. You can undertake a virtual tour of the geothermal area, in much the same manner as you would an actual tour. Start at the visitor center then visit each crater, lake, pool, terrace and geyser in sequence with full descriptions and excellent images. There's a little multimedia content. You can hear the bellbird as you walk the Sacred Track (part of the "guide map" experience). Unlike many sites however, you can choose to play the sound, rather than have it play each time the page loads. The Geo glossary is a thoughtful addition. Helpful for those who don't know about "sinter", "fumaroles" or that "acids" are substances with a PH of less than 7 (which of course we all remember since we paid sooo much attention during chemistry class instead of trying to play practical jokes on our classmates with Bunsen burners). Like most recent entries, prices are clearly displayed and currency stated (NZ$). As we said, there's little we could criticise (even if we were being really picky!). A good example of a simple, effective tourism website. |