Which is More Important, Design or Content?

This past week the question was asked on Google Plus, which is more important Design or Content when it comes to Web Design?

As a Web Designer, I though I would weigh in on this question. Frankly the two share a 50-50 partnership in the creation of an effective Website.  Lets take a look at why each of them is important in the creation of a successful Website.

First, Design. Design is the elements that create the layout for a Website, it makes everything work together and flow together, allowing the user an easy, well set up way to access the information, to get to the sections they need and allow things to flow so you can go from your Home page to any sub-domain pages the user may need to access.

A good example of this is when you have a website where you start off on the home page, move to an about us page and follow a link to a contact us page.  The quick way for the user to navigate back is for somewhere near the top menu having a small site map, as simple as reading 

Home > About Us > Contact Us

And while a simple link system like this, a design element, allows the user to know where they are and how to get back, it does not cover why the person is accessing the Website.

Content, is the information your clients are looking for, but it needs to be accessible and presented in a readable way to be of any use to customers.

Think of the Content Vs Design debate in this way. You walk into a shopping mall and there are 3 new stores, all selling the same thing. You check out store one, and they have product (a strictly content store) but it’s just dropped anywhere on a concrete floor, no organization or presentation at all. Going to Store two, you find that they have a place for everything, in an organized and inviting layout, but no product on the shelfs (this is the strictly Design Store)

About to give up, you go to the third Store, here you find a well laid out shop, with product on the shelves all well laid out and easy to access with good customer service.  When you think about it, which Store as a customer do you go to, better question, which do you want to be YOUR Store / Website?