As we consider next generation experiences on the web with RIAs (Rich Internet Applications) we need to figure out how to deal with “Pageless” sites. When a page become interactive and contains rich content it loses its static, stable nature. While this is exciting for designers who can now pull from a richer design toolbox, there are clearly challenges in making this paradigm shift. The “page” metaphor has set up an operational structure for web sites tuned to designing pages, measuring success by page views, having search engines index pages and pretty much using a page as the unit of reference

One issue is design. Have you ever had the experience when you click and go to another page, it looks very much like the last one you were on and you have to reorient yourself. I think this can be solved by pageless design. However, now the challenge becomes a slightly different one: on a pageless design only a component of the page changes leaving most of the page unchanged. Donna Maurer cautions that a key challenge in designing part-page updates is making sure people see them.

I am annoyed on shopping sites when you do a search and they give you only the first few results and you have to page through to find the next set. Some sites now give you the option to see all search results at once (but often they don’t save that setting when you do the next search). I think I would like infinite scrolling or endless pages with no more next page. However this might pose a challenge for bookmarking.

The design approach for pageless designs also needs some shifts in thinking to accommodate the varying content on a page. Wireframes and sitemap approaches are especially challenged. Pages that come alive with rich content and interactivity have been compared to a stage with elements of content become actors telling a story through interaction. Perhaps we should think of pages having "acts"?

Assuming you have figured out your design approach, a next challenge is ensuring proper indexing by search engines.

Exciting possibilities, but lots of work ahead.