Evaluation of the Four Points Hotel Website (Tempe,AZ)
Traveling can be a stressful activity for anyone. Being away from home, flying, driving, packing, unpacking, long lines, and hundreds of people all in a rush are a few of the many stresses that today’s traveler endures. Hotels can have large impacts on their customers. With thousands of people coming in and out of this temporary home, it is crucial that every effort be made to make a positive first impression. In our modern society first impressions are usually made online.You can learn everything about the Four Points Hotel by navigating through the well organized, appealing and user-friendly website.
The Four Points by Sheraton in Tempe, Arizona is situated on a major avenue with access to everything you need. The hotel offers shuttle-transportation, 24-hour guest and business services, a fitness room, a pool, and high-speed internet access. Across the street is the Arizona State Campus. Down the street there is Mill Ave, with shops, restaurants and more. With its prime location it is, this Hotel is perfect for many different types of travel. Whether its business or pleasure, the Four Points is ideal for any traveler. It is crucial that the traveler understands that there are many different reasons to stay here. All of the above information is found easily on the site. It is vital for the site to have proper advertisement about the local attractions. With that there can not be too much advertisement. The site has the proper balance of both.
The appearance of a website plays a large role in the productivity and efficiency of its intent. It needs to be comfortable to the eyes and in a simple format. There can’t be content overload. There must be the correct balance of images, words and colors. It should not overwhelm the viewer. That being said, the Four Points by Sheraton utilizes an effective site that proudly displays a front image of the facility, the address, and phone number right at the top of the page. The colors include subtle shades of blue with an array of black, white and blue font colors. The home page has bold statements that are the most important. There is a tool bar that serves to guide the user through the site. There is also a location to type in your preferred check-in date and check-out date. This easy-to-manipulate site immediately puts the user at ease. The appearance has the correct balance that truly enhances its intent.
Many people do not understand the power a color can have on us. Every color in the rainbow triggers something in our brain. The colors found on the website are blues, grays and whites. The majority of the font on the website is black, and a couple of key words are light blue. Blue is considered to be a very calm cool color. According to the Precision Intermedia website blue is “Ask people their favorite color and a clear majority will say blue. Much of the world is blue (skies, seas). Seeing the color blue actually causes the body to produce chemicals that are calming; but that isn't true of all shades of blue. Some shades (or too much blue) can send a cold and uncaring message. Many bedrooms are blue because it's calm, restful color. Over the ages blue has become associated with steadfastness, dependability, wisdom and loyalty (note how many uniforms are blue). People tend to be more productive in a blue room because they are calm and focused on the task at hand.” (Psychology of Color)
Another key factor in a website is the functionality. Is it quick? Is it easy to navigate? Does the placement of the information correctly fit the theme of the page? All of these are things that need to be considered when assessing a site. Going back to the homepage, the layout makes it appropriately functional. The user can find everything he/she needs within seconds of opening the page. Within seconds the user knows where the hotel is, what the rooms look like, how to register, and what the rates and specials are. Although there is some advertising, it does not dominate the page. Advertisements are located on the side bar and do not detract from the overall appearance.
One of the great things about the website for the Four Points by Sheraton Hotel is the depth of its content. Starting at the home page, the website offers deals, general information, and a basic overview of the hotel and its features. The website is split into several different tabs and sub-tabs that offer information on vital aspects of the hotel. From photos to basic facts, the website covers not only the hotel but also many of locations in the surrounding area. This allows the visitor to learn what the hotel offers, while also getting a feel for the culture of the area. Anything from sports, dining, attractions in Tempe and events at ASU is covered on this website. This gives the visitor not just a guide to the hotel, but also an idea of how it fits in with its surroundings. There are addresses, map views and directions to get to the hotel and anything nearby, allowing the visitor to plan accordingly during their visit. Instead of having to go to Google maps or Map-quest, the visitor can do all their traveling plans through the Four Points by Sheraton website. The pictures on each tab give a visual representation of everything the website covers, so the visitor knows exactly what they are getting when they pay for a room. However, the amount of information may be a little much for some visitors. Each tab has three to four sub-tabs each with its own set of info and pictures. This may be a lot to look through for someone that is just trying to get a simple overview of the hotel by visiting the website for a quick minute.
On the contrary, the information may not be enough for some tech-savvy visitors. Each tab has its own information, but it is usually a small paragraph or a small outline. The information offered in each tab is the minimum amount to allow for a fast read. However, these minor details do little to detract from the expansiveness of the content.
The Four Points by Sheraton succeeds in portraying itself as a professional, warm and comfortable location. The website proves to be an effective tool for both the novice and expert user. Amidst all this simplicity, the website manages to cover all aspects of the hotel in its content. All this information is easy to digest. As far as websites go, the official website of Four Points by Sheraton is pretty near perfect.
"Psychology Of Color." Psychology Of Color. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 Nov. 2012. <http://www.precisionintermedia.com/color.html>.
By: Kaleigh and Ryan
English 101: First Year Composition
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