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The Shifting Range of Optimal Web Site Complexity

Author

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  • Mai, Robert
  • Hoffmann, Stefan
  • Schwarz, Uta
  • Niemand, Thomas
  • Seidel, Jana

Abstract

Web designers and providers are keenly interested in determining the ideal range of Web site complexity to facilitate user–Web site interactions. Previous empirical findings have sparked a lively debate about whether Web site complexity inhibits or enhances user responses toward the Web site. This paper develops a theoretical framework that posits that complexity effects shift along a sequence of evaluation criteria depending on the overall intensity and type of Web site complexity. The first experimental study confirms the suggested interaction effect of the overall degree of complexity and the sequence of evaluation criteria: the optimum is lower for upstream criteria (e.g., ease of navigation) and higher for downstream criteria (e.g., attitude toward the Web site). The second experiment distinguishes two dimensions of complexity (structural vs. visual) that evoke the antipodal effects underlying the shift in the optimal range of complexity. The paper also outlines avenues for further research and implications for marketing practitioners.

Suggested Citation

  • Mai, Robert & Hoffmann, Stefan & Schwarz, Uta & Niemand, Thomas & Seidel, Jana, 2014. "The Shifting Range of Optimal Web Site Complexity," Journal of Interactive Marketing, Elsevier, vol. 28(2), pages 101-116.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:joinma:v:28:y:2014:i:2:p:101-116
    DOI: 10.1016/j.intmar.2013.10.001
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Tong, Xinjia & Chen, Yuangao & Zhou, Shasha & Yang, Shuiqing, 2022. "How background visual complexity influences purchase intention in live streaming: The mediating role of emotion and the moderating role of gender," Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, Elsevier, vol. 67(C).
    2. Stefan Hoffmann & Tom Joerß & Robert Mai & Payam Akbar, 2022. "Augmented reality-delivered product information at the point of sale: when information controllability backfires," Journal of the Academy of Marketing Science, Springer, vol. 50(4), pages 743-776, July.
    3. Bashirzadeh, Yashar & Mai, Robert & Faure, Corinne, 2022. "How rich is too rich? Visual design elements in digital marketing communications," International Journal of Research in Marketing, Elsevier, vol. 39(1), pages 58-76.
    4. Sohn, Stefanie, 2017. "Consumer processing of mobile online stores: Sources and effects of processing fluency," Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, Elsevier, vol. 36(C), pages 137-147.
    5. Thomas Niemand & Sascha Kraus & Martin Angerer & Ferdinand Thies & Alicia Mas-Tur, 2019. "More is not always better—non-linear effects in crowdfunding," International Journal of Quality Innovation, Springer, vol. 5(1), pages 1-10, December.
    6. Wagner, Gerhard & Schramm-Klein, Hanna & Steinmann, Sascha, 2020. "Online retailing across e-channels and e-channel touchpoints: Empirical studies of consumer behavior in the multichannel e-commerce environment," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 107(C), pages 256-270.
    7. Wu, Kewen & Vassileva, Julita & Zhao, Yuxiang & Noorian, Zeinab & Waldner, Wesley & Adaji, Ifeoma, 2016. "Complexity or simplicity? Designing product pictures for advertising in online marketplaces," Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, Elsevier, vol. 28(C), pages 17-27.
    8. Maier, Erik & Dost, Florian, 2018. "The positive effect of contextual image backgrounds on fluency and liking," Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, Elsevier, vol. 40(C), pages 109-116.

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