Amazon changes, and it ain't pretty

Amazon.com has reworked their bookstore. The biggest change is that they have made the book photo much, much bigger. This is positive.

However, there are several problems with the new design that annoy me. Actually, all these problems share one root -- that the page is simply badly designed and either incorrectly prioritizes the features or fails to make optimal use of the available space.

First, the photo of the book cover extends below the bottom of the screen, requring that you scroll down to view the whole thing.

Second, customer ratings of the book are also not instantly viewable. The shopper must scroll down to see them.

Third, while the "Add to Shopping Cart" button is readily available, if you want to add the product to your Wishlist or Wedding Regsitry, you, wait for it, have to scroll down.

Now, some of this is due to the fact that I enable a links bar and a tool bar on my browser. The trims about half an inch off the space actually available for viewing Web pages.

But more and more people are using such features, and smart Web site design should take all that into account.

Here's how to fix it:

Right now, there is a big chunk of white space on the right of the page. I'd say it takes up about 1/6 of available screen space. Put the purchasing, Wishlist, and shipping information (all currently taking up most of the left half of the page) there?.

Then move the average customer rating up to that vacated space.

Shrink everything just ever-so-slightly so that it all fits neatly on one page.

You'd have a much more neatly laid-out page that gives the customer all the key information and options right there.