Great Example of a Website Designed for Women

Do men and women engage with websites the same way?  That's a question I've been studying for the last six years.   I've done extensive research on the differences between men and women focusing on:

• Their communication styles
• Their decision making processes
• Their design aesthetics (images, graphics, colors, etc.)

All of this affects how men and women interact with websites.   There are specific website elements that are especially effective for engaging women visitors.  

U by Kotex uses several of those elements.   Let's take a look.

Engaging Images that Include Women

 
 
No surprise that women respond to images with other women in them.   U by Kotex uses an interesting device of not showing full faces.  This allows many women to "see themselves" in the images.  

Open Design

Men's brains are very compartmentalized.   Women's brains take a more holistic look at their environment.  On this site, different elements are not separated in their own neat compartments.   Design elements and text are laid on top of images, rather than boxed off.   There's more of an open flowing feeling.  Some elements even bleed off the page.

Here's the U by Kotex home page:

 

Compare that to a more male/compartmentalized design

 
These elements are clearly compartmentalized and boxed off.

Use of Color

 

Women prefer the use of more colors and brighter colors in their design.  The site uses lots of bright colors, especially in the bottom navigation.  (Note:  they also redesigned the packaging with more and brighter colors.)

Informal Language

 

Women often prefer more informal language.   Language that sounds conversational is especially effective.  This website uses direct quotes from real women, and the verbiage throughout is informal and fun.    It feels like you're having a conversation with someone just like yourself. 

Use of Irregular/Handwritten Fonts

 

Women are more likely to prefer irregular fonts.  And anything that looks like actual handwriting is a magnet for women.  

Use of Curves vs. Straight Lines

 
While men prefer straight lines, women prefer curves.  You see ornamental curves throughout this site.  I especially like the use of curves in the background of the site.  I've seen sites attempt to use this "watermark" effect on their main pages, which causes huge readability issues.   This site uses ornamental curves in a way that is flattering, but does not cause usability problems.

Read more about the success of the U by Kotex campaign.  Kudos to the whole creative team with a special shout out to Organic for their excellent work on the website.

Read more posts in the category: websites designed for women.

Comments

[dean graziosi]

These are truly great examples of a website designed for women and I am so glad to see all these.Yes it is absolutely right that women always like actual handwriting.You have well written about watermark.

[Flash website]

Hello.The post was quite interesting to read.Never thought on these lines,i.e how men/woman react to websites in a different way before reading this post.Completely agree with the point in which you have mentioned that a man's brain is compartmentalized.Thanks for elaborating on the points too.

[Juergen]

Very interessting example of a website designed for women.

[Web designer Manchester]

I have always thought that different websites would attract different genders. This is an interesting post that confirmed my thoughts about the design of different websites.

[orange county tech support]

Hi, I'm want to learn web design but dont have the money to do a course right now. What web site can i go onto to start learning how to design web sites? What would be the best course to learn web design?

[comment system]

Hi! Your post was very interesting, even though I fell a little bit uncomfortable when I read an article that supports the Otherness of the genders, but that's not the issue :) I'm trying to re-design my friend's (an artists)website, and I believe this info will be very helpful. so... thanks :)

[Web Design Manchester]

Interesting ideas to take on board. I haven't thought of designing for gender but must give it more consideration.

[Joana Leighmoore]

Women indeed love to play with colors (bright colors) and curvy fonts. They usually love having handwriting fonts - especially when they are blogging - to make it look like they're writing on their diary. The curves give out a feeling of being "carefree" with graceful movements. And when added with colors, "life" is added as well; now that's "Living Life Gracefully".

[Buy cialis]

I'm html and php student and I have to give my congrats to the designer of that place. Great design!!

[Aiden Carns]

As long as there are playful elements, colors and designs, women would never fail to like websites like this! It's one great example, and I'm sure there are similar ones out there as well! It takes a lot of research to be able to make a good website like this though. With the help of technology now, it's always possible.

[Staci Burruel]

What I noticed first about this website is that the web elements are not enclosed in a box. They are very interactive, and when the cursor points to any of them, the subject spreads to reveal sub-topics. It defies the conventional box-like design. The colors and fonts are also soft and curved respectively, assets which are found usually in women.

[Adidas Running Shoes]

Well usually i let my wife to make the accounts and stuff like that because she better on that than me, and she really seems to enjoy, when i meet her a few years ago she never work in administration but know she's working in one HP offices as administrator and she never make studies or something related, she's just good at it.

[Staci Burruel]

There are a lot of valid observations in this post. I definitely agree with the point about the handwriting font and the curves. Women are more quickly moved by visuals, and that’s why they’re quickly drawn to anything graceful and elegant, like fonts that don’t look stiff and the softness of curves.

[Ashok]

Great post! I think that those women, as well as other women who embrace their cuevrs (basically everyone who is not a stick figure) help the self-love process. Its not easy though, and it does take effort to say, "No, I will fight these bad thoughts." Because in the end, no one can fit into my jeans the way I fit... and look or walk or talk like me. And that's what makes me different. So if i'm not skinny enough for others and I got too much curve here or there(as an actress I mean), then so be it. I'm the perfect me that I can be, and that's what matters. ;) Best, Li @LaLicenciada@HerDeepThoughts

[Angel]

I don't think your wrong that type of thing is VERY common among us women. I DONt Like it.I'm Real.I hate Fake thing, and I hate Insulting poelpe, by telling them they need to change something about their apperancees, I'll leave that to their Parents I'm Real ALL THE WAY Through, Real Hair, Real Teeth, REAL c-cup boobs (Implants are Dangerous) ((Do U Perfer real or not, in everything I mean)), real eyelashes (don't like fake) Real is better and Healthier!!

[Bruna]

Great article! I am a paostr's wife now of a very young church. We are not even 5 years old. I grew up being an army brat and moved ALL the time. One good thing is that it taught me how to befriend someone and I'm glad to be able to pass on that experience to my ladies as we welcome new people into our church. This is such a good reminder though! Thanks for posting. =)