Top 10 Mistakes of Website Design

Dude111 · Mar 18, 2011, 05:53 PM

· Using Frames - Frames were a so-so idea for lazy web designers that didn't work. They make for bad navigation and search engines won't read framed sites.

· Over-use of Bleeding-Edge Technology - Remember that you need to program your site for the masses, not the techno-nerds.

· Animation Over-Kill - Page elements that constantly move tend to assault a user's peripheral vision. People will actually click off such a page just to get some visual peace and quiet.

· Too Complex (or too simple) URL's - Users often try to understand navigation by reading the address of pages. URL's should have easily understandable directory and filenames that reflect the nature of the navigation design.

· Orphan Pages - Keep your look consistent on every page...users don't always enter your site on the home page, so they should immediately know where they are. Always have a link back to your home page!

· Long Scrolling Pages - Only 10% of users scroll past the first page. Keep the good stuff and the critical navigation "above the fold." One page web sites that scroll forever are especially annoying.

· Poor Navigation Structure - Set your site up logically, from the typical user's perspective. Provide them with obvious navigation links that fit the logical structure. If users get lost, they leave.

· Non-Standard Link Colors - The web has adopted a standard set of colors for links that are new (blue) and ones that are visited (purple or red). Users have been trained to understand that, so keep your site consistent.

· Outdated Information - Nothing upsets a user quite as much as finding old prices or out-of-date calendar information on your site. Budget to keep it up to date.

· Long Download Times - Research shows absolutely unequivocally that 95% of new users will leave if your site takes longer than 10 seconds to download. The fastest way to lose new users is to have a big beautiful graphic or Flash movie on a "splash" page that has no useful information or navigation on it. Period.

But the BIGGEST MISTAKE is: People have lost thier sense of 'WHATS GOOD' and its sad!!

I have seen sites that USED TO LOOK WONDERFULL THAT NOW LOOK LIKE CRAP AND THEY ARE HAPPY WITH IT! (10 yrs ago they wouldnt have been)

Whats happend to most people?? THEY ARE COMPLETLY DUMBED DOWN,satisfied with garbage,etc and its very confusing!!

WxMan1 · May 23, 2011, 01:43 AM

Decent contrast for us old dinosaur type dudes that can't see electrons any more. What's with that shade of white that's just a bit lighter than gray? Do we have to distill urine to make the secret code juice on our monitors, or what?

Then there's the web-sites that are designed for 1534269x1265098436 resolution; they don't look good on my 1162x864

And then - as if that's not enough - what's up with the uber-font-download phenomena?

Tyrsonswood · May 23, 2011, 02:19 AM

Not sure what websites you go to..... but don't do that anymore!

May 23, 2011, 01:43 AM	#2
WxMan1 HardwareHeaven Lover Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 221 Rep Power: 40	Re: Top 10 Mistakes of Website Design Decent contrast for us old dinosaur type dudes that can't see electrons any more. What's with that shade of white that's just a bit lighter than gray? Do we have to distill urine to make the secret code juice on our monitors, or what? Then there's the web-sites that are designed for 1534269x1265098436 resolution; they don't look good on my 1162x864 And then - as if that's not enough - what's up with the uber-font-download phenomena?

Mar 18, 2011, 05:53 PM	#1
Dude111 An Awesome Dude Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 425 Rep Power: 61	· Using Frames - Frames were a so-so idea for lazy web designers that didn't work. They make for bad navigation and search engines won't read framed sites. · Over-use of Bleeding-Edge Technology - Remember that you need to program your site for the masses, not the techno-nerds. · Animation Over-Kill - Page elements that constantly move tend to assault a user's peripheral vision. People will actually click off such a page just to get some visual peace and quiet. · Too Complex (or too simple) URL's - Users often try to understand navigation by reading the address of pages. URL's should have easily understandable directory and filenames that reflect the nature of the navigation design. · Orphan Pages - Keep your look consistent on every page...users don't always enter your site on the home page, so they should immediately know where they are. Always have a link back to your home page! · Long Scrolling Pages - Only 10% of users scroll past the first page. Keep the good stuff and the critical navigation "above the fold." One page web sites that scroll forever are especially annoying. · Poor Navigation Structure - Set your site up logically, from the typical user's perspective. Provide them with obvious navigation links that fit the logical structure. If users get lost, they leave. · Non-Standard Link Colors - The web has adopted a standard set of colors for links that are new (blue) and ones that are visited (purple or red). Users have been trained to understand that, so keep your site consistent. · Outdated Information - Nothing upsets a user quite as much as finding old prices or out-of-date calendar information on your site. Budget to keep it up to date. · Long Download Times - Research shows absolutely unequivocally that 95% of new users will leave if your site takes longer than 10 seconds to download. The fastest way to lose new users is to have a big beautiful graphic or Flash movie on a "splash" page that has no useful information or navigation on it. Period. But the BIGGEST MISTAKE is: People have lost thier sense of 'WHATS GOOD' and its sad!! I have seen sites that USED TO LOOK WONDERFULL THAT NOW LOOK LIKE CRAP AND THEY ARE HAPPY WITH IT! (10 yrs ago they wouldnt have been) Whats happend to most people?? THEY ARE COMPLETLY DUMBED DOWN,satisfied with garbage,etc and its very confusing!!