Elcomercio.pe: let the numbers speak for themselves

by gabriela on 15/09/2010


Elcomercio.pe could be doing well for all sorts of reasons, not just the ones we’ve mentioned (one column, non-stop stream of information and extensive use of images), but this graph has given us food for thought. Perhaps we’re on to something here? Our source.

There are 5 comments in this article:

  1. 15/09/2010Carlos Úbeda says:

    Hi Gabriela!

    Well, first of all, I have to admit that I like the ideas about online newspapers that you love at Vostok: one stream, images, simplicity…
    Also, I think El Comercio design is very interesting, inspiring and refreshing.

    However, DamagedGoods hits the nail on the head in the last post: http://www.vostok.es/blog/elcomercio-pe-not-beautiful-but-incredibly-functional/comment-page-1#comment-2913.

    The idea is great but it seems that there are some leaks (priority, communication, etc.)

    So, I think design is not to bury those weak points with decontextualized data (that is a SEO – or even a politician – practice). Data are important, of course, but no in that way (quality? objectives?)

    For me, a good designer has to consider that points (fixing, improving or just rejecting the initial design) and not to fall in love with an idea and justify it afterwards with data.

    Honesty, that’s the point ;-)

  2. 15/09/2010Javier says:

    Carlos, my response to DamagedGoods on the original post: http://www.vostok.es/blog/elcomercio-pe-not-beautiful-but-incredibly-functional

  3. 15/09/2010Gabriela says:

    There are indeed leaks Carlos and that’s the interesting part, how to address those leaks. Like you, what we like about elcomercio.pe is its freshness, it’s disregard of print nostalgia.

    Now, when you say decontextualized data, are you talking about the graph we included in the post? The truth is we have no idea why elcomercio.pe has higher traffic than other websites, it could be for reasons we can’t even begin to fathom but say, for one minute, just for one minute that perhaps it has to do with the design and that people like it and feel comfortable browsing through it. We’re not proving anything with that graph, we’re just planting the seed of wishful thinking: “imagine if the design had something to do with this ….”

  4. 15/09/2010Carlos Úbeda says:

    Ha ha, Gabriela… yes, although the graph doesn’t say exactly that people like it and feel comfortable with it, we agree :-)

    But I was looking for something like Javier response, sorta “this is a very good design IF WE ASSUME users check out (or will check out) newspaper every 30 minutes, like a teletype”.

    If it is the true goal, the leaks are not so important and the design is much better. I agree. But, are you sure of that assumption?

  5. 15/09/2010Javier says:

    Yes we are. More data coming soon :)

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