The redesign of the BBC news website has drawn both compliments and complaints from users and technical reviewers.
The comprehensive update of the site has changed its appearance – moving important links front and centre – and increased the compatibility with links to social media sites including Facebook and Twitter.
David Donnan, Director at digital agency MSG, said it was an evolution rather than a revolution.
"It ticks the right boxes when it comes to web design […] but in many ways I was expecting more and for it to be more exciting," he said. "It remains up for debate whether budget cuts had an impact or it simply didn't want to incur the wrath of loyal readers who don't like significant change."
But it couldn't contain the wrath of some users, who posted their ire on internet review website, webuser.co.uk.
"Difficult to use, difficult to find things you want," one user wrote, while another claimed, "If you want to see your regional news it's now three or more clicks away rather than the previous one or two."
Positive reaction was not entirely absent, however. "The new layout is great," concluded one reader. "Getting rid of the menu on the left for a start gives it a cleaner more open look. I love it."
The site's editor, Steve Herrmann, defended the changes, saying it came from considerable user consultation: "We talked to audience groups, held one-to-one user testing sessions, and invited several thousand of you to try out a prototype."
