I will analyze Airbnb's website by using the following axioms of web design:
Business Objectives
Airbnb's primary business objective is very obvious the instant you open the page. It is to help people find a place to stay. Their secondary business objective takes a scroll or two, but it isn't hard to find how to rent out your space to people.
Strong Grid
Airbnb has a strong underlying grid. You can see the grid in the middle section with the images of the different cities. There is equal white space between the rectangles, which keeps the background quiet and allows you to focus on the places. The grid continues to the lower section where the categories Travel, Host and Trust and safety follow the same spacing grid. The grid keeps the page easy to follow and the background unobtrusive.
Lower Right
Airbnb follows the lower right rule by placing a link to the rentable space currently being displayed. So you are not only seeing the beautiful and unique space being listed, but it also shows you the price and a link to more information on the space in the lower right corner.
Continuity
When you hit the landing page of Airbnb, the spotlighted space for rent nearly fills up your entire screen. The pictures are wide, so it goes from upper left to upper right corner and gives you a sense of being in the space.
Intuitiveness
Airbnb is intuitive. As soon as you get to the page, the cursor is already in the box, ready for you to type in your destination. It makes it obvious that that's what you're supposed to do by asking "Where do you want to go", and is followed by more spaces for your check in and out dates, and number of guests. Everything you might need to know about Airbnb, you can find from the homepage. The links are very straightforward. If you don't know where to begin because you aren't sure where you want to go, they have prepared neighborhood guides for popular destinations. The use of pictures accompanied by simple text make it very easy to use.
Affordance
Another great thing about Airbnb is that they take a stressful activity like travel-planning and turn it into something beautiful and fun. They have created neighborhood guides so you can explore areas you are interested in. It gets you excited for your trip because of the unique place you will stay and the sites that are nearby.
Greatest Contrast
The biggest contrast on the Airbnb landing page is the images of the different cities next to each other. You see the oriental design in Tokyo, the French architecture in Paris, and the skyline of New York. The contrast isn't in the colors or textures, but in the sense of contrasting and complimentary cultures.
Good Looking Means Easy
Preach it, sister. If this page wasn't attractive, with quality images and a strong grid, I would easily become frustrated. Its good design makes it attractive, and its attractiveness makes it good design.
Converts to Aspect Ratios
The Airbnb app is just as effective as the website. Rather than just being a smaller version of the website, the app is designed specifically for smart phones and tablets. It is even simpler to use. As soon as you open the app, there are large images of the space with just enough information - what, where and how much. If you like it, just click on the heart in the lower right to easily find it later. If you want to see more, just swipe to see more pictures.
Strong Grid
Airbnb has a strong underlying grid. You can see the grid in the middle section with the images of the different cities. There is equal white space between the rectangles, which keeps the background quiet and allows you to focus on the places. The grid continues to the lower section where the categories Travel, Host and Trust and safety follow the same spacing grid. The grid keeps the page easy to follow and the background unobtrusive.
Lower Right
Airbnb follows the lower right rule by placing a link to the rentable space currently being displayed. So you are not only seeing the beautiful and unique space being listed, but it also shows you the price and a link to more information on the space in the lower right corner.
Continuity
When you hit the landing page of Airbnb, the spotlighted space for rent nearly fills up your entire screen. The pictures are wide, so it goes from upper left to upper right corner and gives you a sense of being in the space.
Intuitiveness
Airbnb is intuitive. As soon as you get to the page, the cursor is already in the box, ready for you to type in your destination. It makes it obvious that that's what you're supposed to do by asking "Where do you want to go", and is followed by more spaces for your check in and out dates, and number of guests. Everything you might need to know about Airbnb, you can find from the homepage. The links are very straightforward. If you don't know where to begin because you aren't sure where you want to go, they have prepared neighborhood guides for popular destinations. The use of pictures accompanied by simple text make it very easy to use.
Affordance
Another great thing about Airbnb is that they take a stressful activity like travel-planning and turn it into something beautiful and fun. They have created neighborhood guides so you can explore areas you are interested in. It gets you excited for your trip because of the unique place you will stay and the sites that are nearby.
Greatest Contrast
The biggest contrast on the Airbnb landing page is the images of the different cities next to each other. You see the oriental design in Tokyo, the French architecture in Paris, and the skyline of New York. The contrast isn't in the colors or textures, but in the sense of contrasting and complimentary cultures.
Good Looking Means Easy
Preach it, sister. If this page wasn't attractive, with quality images and a strong grid, I would easily become frustrated. Its good design makes it attractive, and its attractiveness makes it good design.
Converts to Aspect Ratios
The Airbnb app is just as effective as the website. Rather than just being a smaller version of the website, the app is designed specifically for smart phones and tablets. It is even simpler to use. As soon as you open the app, there are large images of the space with just enough information - what, where and how much. If you like it, just click on the heart in the lower right to easily find it later. If you want to see more, just swipe to see more pictures.
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