ESPN has launched a redesign beta of the site to Insiders to preview before the site is officially launched for everyone. Here is a side-by-side comparison with the current frontpage and some highlights.
Simplified navigation and layout
Fewer, less intrusive advertisements
A new scoreboard with live, auto updates
More accessible with less Flash
Lighter page weight and better performance
Personalized scores, headlines, and navigation
What other people are saying:
ESPN.COM is counting on less clutter and more advertising options to bolster revenue…Instead of inundating visitors with its intense coverage of every major sport from the get-go, something that the company now believes can drive away certain fans, ESPN.com is moving in a less-is-more direction, at least on the home page — NY Times
The redesign brings a cleaner user experience, something I love, and also more naturally brings ESPN’s video content to users, another plus — FanSection
Nice. Very nice…much cleaner and more efficient…pleasantly shocked…looks so friggin’ great…the scoreboard, columns, top stories, many of the same elements but simply improved — Small White Ball
I have spoken glowingly about ESPN and ESPN.com previously - I don’t feel bad being sour about ESPN Beta… too much like a magazine and too little like a sports site — Ryan Spoon (founder of beRecruited)
a wider, more prominent video player… tons of links to additional videos…site’s background is a darker hue of red…featured columnists are promoted with larger modules…soliciting user feedback — PaidContent
the principal change isn’t a surprise: a greater emphasis on video — MediaDailyNews
they have done away with banner ads on the home page — Louis Gray
The new look goes live in a month or so — Steve Clancy
the site is substantially better looking…not sure that the new look brings much more than just that, a new, fresh look — Cheap Seats
At first glance, the site is aesthetically pleasing… [but] it’s really hard to find any of the “breaking news” content you might be looking for — AwfulAnnouncing
Keith, nice post and nice work on the new website. I for one am very happy to see ESPN360 get some better promotion. That service rocks. And finally, thanks for the link love on the FanSection blog. Cheers.
ESPN.com Redesign Beta
ESPN has launched a redesign beta of the site to Insiders to preview before the site is officially launched for everyone. Here is a side-by-side comparison with the current frontpage and some highlights.