Personally, I hate websites with sound. If I don’t absolutely need something from that particular site, I’ll always go somewhere else. But, you know what … I’m not everybody! A lot of sites are now using animated avatars to personalise their content. Today we ask – are they good, or are they evil?!
Avatars are good because…
Some customers are auditory learners – Highly visual information just doesn’t suit some brains.
They can help you do complicated things – People learn best from other people, not necessarily from reading something, and avatars provide some of that interaction.
Avatars are evil because…
They’re creepy! – If you must have an avatar, I recommend having an ordinary video shot of yourself, rather than an animated avatar. Especially one with an electronic voice.
People don’t always have or like sites with sound – I’ll vouch for the truth of this – I’m one of them. I can skim read much faster than the time it takes for someone to have a casual conversation with me.
Bottom line? If you have a site where people might need to be walked through complex tasks, or if the avatar is opt-in rather than opt-out (by exiting the site!), then go for it.