facebookUnless you have been on the run from the police for the past couple weeks, you are already well aware of the radical layout changes to the Facebook home page. Most people have had an opportunity to test drive the new features, formulating an opinion on whether or not the modifications are worthwhile. Regardless of your thoughts on the new layout, it is important to point out that drastic layout changes of this nature are a huge challenge for the company managing the web property. Contrary to popular belief, most changes are not done on whim!

At first glance it probably appears as if Facebook merely took a page out of Twitter’s playbook and redesigned the site to be more like the micro-blogging service. While there was most certainly inspiration from Twitter’s design, the Facebook changes go much deeper. To use the cliché, rather than judging the book by its cover, you need to use Facebook extensively to see the modifications are essentially a building block for the future of the site and health of the company.

The thing about changes to huge web sites is this: transformation is performed on a whim. Even the slightest modification can have huge, lasting implications on both user morale and site performance. One small coding mistake not properly tested before being deployed to the live site may have consequences. Changes, especially those of this magnitude, are not taken lightly.

I say that because I speak from experience – in my tenure on deviantART we made countless design modifications, mostly after thorough review and consideration of the impact to our users – the very users who we rely upon for the success of the site. While some changes did not undergo the rigorous machinations others incurred, the basic operating philosophy is to seriously consider how changes affect our population.

Drastic changes like the Facebook layout modifications incur many costs and take a huge toll on management, especially when the perception of the changes are highly negative. Meeting rooms are filled with discussions on the ins-and-outs of the proposed changes, anticipating the possible user opinions on the various decisions. Ill will on a web site, especially if a huge percentage of the users are upset and the perception gains traction, can spell death for a site and causes nightmares for management.

In the case of the recent Facebook layout changes, one of the problems is the lack of communication from Facebook management. I posit that had Facebook management properly communicated the new changes the company would not find themselves in the situation they are in today. Had the impact to the users and why users would find the changes useful been presented to the community, in a clearly understandable manner, they would be a whole lot easier to stomach.

The problem is, and usually boils down to, a lack of communication that ultimately allows certain untruths to fester. If Facebook management truly believes in this layout, they need to communicate their thoughts to the people.

Trust me when I say it’s amazing what a little conversation can do to the community. Engage in communication with the community and its constitution will see dramatic increases in positivity! There is truly a direct correlation to be made there.