Paypal, the online payment pioneers are going in for an overhaul. The new design promises to make the already simple experience even simpler. Since its inception in 1998, Paypal has gone on to be affiliated with over 100,000 websites and is today ubiquitous with its presence where online payment is concerned. After 10 years, a new look is therefore, certainly warranted!

What can you expect from the new and improved Paypal?

Still in Beta, the new look offers a tabbed interface that makes it a little easier to navigate. We did, however, experience a longer sign-in time compared to the earlier version. Assuming this would be sorted out by the time the site’s out of Beta, it’s interesting to note the next set of changes.

For one, the main content area remains virtually unchanged. You still have access to the account activity areas as soon as you sign-in and there is not change to the look-and-feel of this area either. The helpful mouseover information remains. One of the main changes to the overall design is the alignment of the top navigation bar. It now attaches itself to the top left instead of the top middle.

Of course, the new design also sorts out the site areas into three overall business areas: Personal, Business and Products & Services. The P&S section is a new one and highlights all Paypal services making it easier for the user to figure out what he/she is to do!

While retaining the overall functionality of the old design, the new one adds little, but makes it a little more pleasing to the eye. Let’s hope this beta still has more to offer than the cosmetic changes largely visible. (Update in the near future).

Tags: Paypal, redesign, new home page