I previously wrote about 10 things for better SEO on your site. Just as importantly, there are several things web designers ( usually people making their first site ) do that will turn off visitors, and search engines, to the point that they will turn the other way, running and screaming. Often, people creating their first site find out how to do simple little things that appear neat and cool, but in reality it doesn’t fit into their overall design, it isn’t current, attractive, beneficial, or it just looks really tacky.
So, here is my list of what to avoid in creating your web site.
1. Excessive flash usage. Yeah, it may look cool and nice and all that, but it is often distracting from the point of your site, and for some users it takes forever to load in their browser. Using a flash intro to your site isn’t always good, either; people go to your site for information, not to watch a mini movie right away.
2. Animated gif’s. Those rotating “Email” images, cute little cartoons all over your page, and flashing banners are distracting and, well, downright historic and tacky.
3. Poor navigation. One of my biggest annoyances is a poor navigation menu that isn’t repeated on every page in the same place. If I can’t find my way around a website, whats the use in sticking around and having to hunt for everything or backtrack to the main page all the time?
4. SEO. You may have great content, but you’ll never get anywhere if search engines can’t find your site, index it, and consider it relevant. Basic onsite SEO is not hard to implement, and probably the easiest thing you can do for better search results.
5. Disorganized content. Its good to have content on your page, but if you have too much information that isn’t organized, it isn’t beneficial. Use structure and good layout to divide different types of information so that users can easily find what they need.
6. Outdated or no contact information. Maybe you sell a product or service, and a potential customer has a question. They can’t find an email address or contact form, or the ones they do find don’t work. Absolutely frustrating to your users.
7. Advertising overload. Sure, its common to place ads on your site to make a few extra dollars. But when the ads overwhelm the content, its more like watching 10 minutes of a sitcom with 20 minutes of commercials. Makes me want to change the channel.
8. Cross browser compatibility. Sure, your site looks good in IE7. But in Firefox it sucks. Don’t build a site for one browser; you’re potentially turning off a pretty large audience that can’t properly view your site. ( And maybe IE will gets its act together one day and help avoid all this ).
9. Poor coding. Too many tables and font tags, misplaced header tags, and failing tests like W3C validation are not helping your site. If its over your head, hire a designer; you’ll benefit in the long run.
10. Color schemes. That lime green background with the bright orange text and purple links ….. well, let’s just not go there, ok?
