I’ve built a lot of web applications in my lifetime and I’m certainly not done by any stretch of the imagination.
And although I’ve had many more failed apps than successes (way more) I’ve learned a thing or two along the way.
Here are 5 principles that I’ve always used when building web apps:
My 5:
- Utility (needs to be obvious, apparent, and immediate).
- Speed (is of the essence).
- Less is More (seriously).
- Simplicity (is the ultimate sophistication).
- Flexible (in it’s contextual use).
And yes, we’re applying all of these (and more) to SoChurch.
Got any?
Gabe Hoffman says
Scalable? It’s one of things that you have to design from the start (I guess speed is kinda similar).
And you didn’t mention hot. It’s gotta be hot. At least all the stuff I’ve seen you do tends more towards apple nice than google scarce. Though of course that’s a subset maybe of usability, but simple can go either way.
Tom says
I’m with you on speed. When it comes to the web, I think true, good design automatically results in speed.
But I think scalability is more specific to the product. There are been certain things I’ve built professionally that scalability absolutely had to be considered.
On the flipside, there have been plenty of smaller projects I’ve built where a single database, small application layer, and small presentation layer were fine. Scalability wasn’t an issue.
Steven Rossi says
I have such trouble going for simple over robust. The problem of “ooooh that’s a good idea, too…” creeps in so often.
Ben Forsberg says
Love this. Well said. I think scalability could be a subset of “flexible” too. Even if not in a contextual sense.