ExpatIntelligence.com uses a pretty standard design, not much exciting, but just functional. The logo, while it seems professional in a bit old fashioned way is basically just a white banner fitting the header. The site could however be polished up a little by a few improvements which shouldn't take much to implement. So let's just get on to the issues and suggestions. Some will be minor and kind of nitpicking, but every little bit adds up.

The right sidebar, at least the "Expat Destinations" block as its most defining element leans right at the right edge of the site whereas the main menu as the defining element of the left sidebar has quite a bit more space between the left edge of the site and itself. This ends up giving the impression that the site is slanted to the right. As we know, a lot of beauty lies in symmetry which is how this minor issue gains some noteworthiness. The best solution would probably be moving the "Expat Destinations" more to the left.

Speaking of spacing, there could be a little more margin between the "Expat Destinations" block and the skyscraper ad below it. And speaking more of symmetry both the "Pick a language" part and the google link ads could be moved slightly to the left so as to display more in the middle.

Regarding the main content column, the most noticeable issue is the size of those article titles. They're smaller than the main menu links and even smaller than the actual content of the articles. This seems a little counterintuitive for titles. Of course, the suggestion is to increase their size a little; anywhere between 15 and 18 pixels would be fine. It could look something like how a expat articles page does.

The color of the privacy policy link in the footer doesn't quite fit its background. There could also be more padding between the footer and the bookmark button as well as the square ad above it.

Finally, ads could still be a little more discrete. As necessary as they may be for monetization it's still not something that adds up positively to site's design, unless more effort is put into making them fit in better and feel like an integral, but not annoying part of the site. Just making sure the colors of the ad fit in would be a start. Additionally, making sure padding is right and that the ad uses a special, but fitting background color or a border could all be helpful. It's something to experiment with.

That said, there is lots more that could be done here beyond making the few adjustments mentioned such as a redesign of the logo and the header, a better and more attractive design of the sidebars and tweaking such minor but important elements as borders of the Expat Destinations block, main menu and so on. Otherwise the value proposition of ExpatIntelligence.com will hardly rest much on its design and it will remain just.. functional, kinda spartan and getting a passing grade.

Design Rating: 6/10

Focus:

As its name clearly implies ExpatIntelligence.com focuses on a specific niche; expatriates or potential expatriates. It also features a welcoming introduction text which spells out its purpose as a "source of reliable information for expatriates and future expatriates" and adds an encouraging comment on the implications of separation from the land of birth. Furthermore just a glance over the menu links and recent articles reveals quite a bit of relevant subjects.

Focus Rating: 10/10

Content:

ExpatIntelligence.com seems mostly like a static content site with a selection of articles linked directly from the main menu and the rest available from the homepage as recent articles and from the Expat Articles page. There's more than a few dozen articles to browse here covering pretty much every aspect of expatriation from applying for a passport, choosing a destination and traveling to information about the destination in terms of jobs, insurance, health care, shopping and even taxes.. Plus a large database of information about specific expat destinations. So it's a complete resource.

Articles tend to be split into relevant subsections and also provide direct links to further information both within the site and elsewhere which is great to see.

Finally, one little note.. It appears to be aimed at US citizens primarily which is already hinted from the fact that USA is not on the list of expat destinations.

Content Rating: 10/10