How can AJAX improve my website?
Tagged Under : AJAX, Site Design
AJAX is a technology born out of JavaScript and XML. It allows webmasters to add high-end functionality to their websites, pushing the boundaries of web usability. Splashes of AJAX can enhance your user’s experience to a limitless extent but too much can hinder them and cause problems with your server.
One of the most magical things about AJAX is its ability to talk to the web server behind the scenes. For example, once upon a time when submitting a form on the web you would need to wait for the page to reload before a “thank you” message appeared. With AJAX the same action can be performed behind the scenes so that the page does not need to reload. This is AJAX at its base level.
There are so many ways in which AJAX technology can enhance your website, here are a few ideas that you may wish to implement.
Add a search suggest feature. I’m sure you will have seen this in action (Google use it!). Basically when a user begins to perform a search, AJAX will query the database and return any possible matches based on EVERY key the user presses. For example, if the user is typing in “dog collars”, they may very well only reach “do…” before AJAX guesses what they’re looking for!
Add drag and drop functionality. Again, this is a widely used feature. Have your modules and page elements moveable by the user; allowing total customisation of your interface.
Use dynamic pictures. If your website uses product shots load the pictures quickly through an AJAX call rather than forcing the use to wait while the page reloads.
Allow dynamic updating of content. For example, should you have a shopping cart on your website you may wish to use AJAX calls to update shipping information instantaneously when the user changes their requirements.
Edit in place functionality. Useful for admin tools – allow users to edit text regions dynamically without having to go through a form. When the user clicks the text, it becomes editable.
AJAX is still a relatively new technology but it is being used widely and I think that within the next 2/3 years we are going to be seeing a lot more of it. Unfortunately, this is just another nail in the coffin for those who do not keep up with web technologies, because the enhanced usability AJAX can offer will become expected and sites that do not offer it will get left behind. Are you on the bandwagon?
