Seek is the most popular recruitment website in Australia with close to 200,000 jobs advertised each day. For a site averaging 2.4 million visitors each month, a key factor in their success is that all the vital information is accessible from the homepage or within three clicks, which is a usability dream.
The homepage layout is simple and easy to use, as all the important information, such as navigation, job search and industry job listings, all placed above the fold. When content does spread below, such as the job listings, there is a clear indication that users need to scroll as the information begins in the visible portion and extends down. Advertising is also placed on the bottom half, which sends a clear message that their focus is on providing job listings which is the primary reason users visit their site.
By bringing important tools to the homepage, such as the Quick Job Search, User Registration and Login, it ensures that users access the information they need quickly and easily. For additional information, such as facts about the company or contact details, they have placed this on the bottom navigation which is a common web standard on these types of sites.
The style of the homepage and overall site is consistent and simple with a clear focus on making the content readable and sections distinguishable through the use of white backgrounds, blue text and shaded boxes to differentiate the areas. Seek has also made sure the links are visible as they are underlined when not focused on, which is the standard indication of web links.
In summary, Seek provides a great example of a homepage as it uses style, placement and content to make important and sort-after information accessible which improves the overall experience and usability of the site for their target audience.