Top Ten Reasons Your Web Site Needs Help

weslinda · #1 (**permalink**) 11-11-2006, 12:09 AM

As a web designer, I get to see my fair share of great, okay, and poor web sites each and every day. While everyone will have their own opinion on what makes a good web site, I thought that I’d walk through the top 10 traits of a bad web site, one that in the long term will hurt a business more than it will help a business.

I’ll count these down from # 10 and arrive at my #1 sin for web sites. Make sure to avoid these ten items and you’ll be on your way to success with your web site.

10. Flash Intro Page:
Okay, I’m not sure why so many companies feel that these are great ideas for their web site. I cannot name the number of times that I’ve found such a site, and tried to find the “skip intro” link on the page. The only thing more frustrating than a flash introduction is one that you can’t skip. These items take up bandwidth, and studies have shown no one actually watches them. Save us all some headache and skip this. If you want to have a flash company introduction, offer it as a link somewhere deeper in your web site.

9. Large Image Files:
Yes pictures are pretty, and they help tell a story, but they are not the foundation of a great web site, even if you are a photographer. Users today can be on a variety of services, perhaps they are on broadband, then lots of photos isn’t bad. Or they might be on dialup still, then your web site won’t load quickly enough, and they’ll go somewhere else. I read recently you have 4-5 seconds to make your impression or the visitor will be off to another web site. Finally, the user could be accessing your site from a PDA or Cell Phone and if that is the case, your site may be completely unable to function within the device. Any of these users will not be back if your site takes too long to load, and doesn’t have the information they are looking for at their fingertips.

8. Fade In / Fade Out on Page Changes:
Okay, I thought the design community would see this feature as one that shouldn’t have been used in a public setting, but even today, I still see sites that fade between page changes. This takes time, and really is simply a useless gimic that some web designers use to make a web site more “attractive”. Business owners, if your web site does this, it doesn’t help, it hurts, and it doesn’t make you look professional. Please stop.

7. Bad Site Navigation:
People visit your web site for one thing. To get information. That’s it. Nothing else. Build navigation links that will make sense to visitors, especially those that may not know the hot terms for your business. Site navigation should be easy to find, always located in the same spot on the page, be text based if possible, and be clear. Your site isn’t better because someone visits 10 pages before finding the info they want, it is simply more frustrating. Make everyone’s lives easier, make your navigation a major piece of the site, and put some real thought into how it’s laid out.

6. Broken Scripts:
If a page is public, it needs to work. Test it, double test it, make sure it works, and visit your site frequently to make sure there are no issues. I have been to some major organizations web sites recently where I run into JavaScript or other scripting errors that keep me from actully getting to information on their web site. Always make sure to test something before it is made live. Once live, always check on it to make sure it’s still working.

5. No Solid Content:
This is actually one of my bigger issues with web sites, but unfortunately I could only place it at number 5 on the list. I’ll give you an example. I am currently in the process of looking for a new home. I did a search for “Home Values” and visited a site. What I got was a web site that discussed markets in each state, on one page. No real deep meaningful content. But it was filled with “ads” (we’re getting to that one) and it was well ranked in the search engines. Amazing in my eyes. If you are going to have a web site. Try and ensure that you are going to provide lots of good information, and that you’ll do everything you can to keep that information current.

4. Ads vs. Content:
I cannot explain how bad this is for web sites. I’m seeing this more and more frequently, web designers, business professionals linking ads on their web sites. I’m not sure what a person can be thinking in regards to placing ads from Google or Yahoo on their site where they are selling their services. I know I might step on some toes here, but if your web site cannot make money without plastering ads all over the place, well, it might be time to find a new business. Now, I’m strictly discussing service professionals here. Real Estate Agents, Web Designers, Accountants, Lawyers any type of business that isn’t in business to sell ads, such as a newspaper, or similar site, it is really quite tacky if you have Google Ads plastered on your home page right below your company logo.

3. Random Link Pages:
While I understand the importance of In-Bound-Links to SEO, I do not get why companies must feel that a good link exchange with every web site in the world is of any value. I promise you that if you are a florist, and you have links to a Harley Davidson dealership, a barbershop, an accountant and an amusement park on your site, you don’t get the point of linking. Please don’t link to any site, unless it is going to be a value to your visitors, and it is actually something related to your business.

2. Bookmark My Site Buttons:
Love these, I really do. Because, people can’t find the Bookmark button on their own, your site is so good you need to tell me, so I can remember to bookmark your site. Computers and the internet have been around for a bit now, bookmarks are used by lots of people. However, using up valuable real estate on your web site to promote such things is a waste of space for the limited return you’ll see for your efforts.

1. Innaccessible Site:
This is a big topic for me, especially as I learn more and more about the subject of Web Accessibility. If your site cannot be visited by a blind person, and easily understood, then you’re making a grave mistake. You’re probably unsure of your site’s status when it comes to web accessibility, however work with a local professional, and they’ll help you get your site viewable by all that visit.

Hopefully some of these things will help you make a better web experience for your visitors and your customers.

Webnauts · #2 (**permalink**) 11-11-2006, 02:11 AM

Great post! I suggest that it deserves a sticky! :)

sands · #3 (**permalink**) 11-11-2006, 02:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Webnauts

Great post! I suggest that it deserves a sticky! :)

I second it.

Webnauts · #4 (**permalink**) 11-11-2006, 03:30 AM

I sticked it! I hope no one else will unstick it! :)

Frocked · #5 (**permalink**) 11-11-2006, 06:17 AM

Thanks for this link Webnauts! After reading this, I do feel that I am on the right lines with Frocked.co.uk, & my own views are consolidated here...THANKYOU Weslinda!
PS Sorry to appear so naive, but what does sticky mean??

Webnauts · #6 (**permalink**) 11-11-2006, 06:21 AM

If you look at the top of each forum you will see there are some posts which stay permanently and at the top.
For example look at the first posts here: http://www.webproworld.com/viewforum.php?f=4

weslinda · #7 (**permalink**) 11-11-2006, 09:23 AM

Wow, I'm quite honored with a sticky. I really thought it was a decent piece, but worthy of a sticky, I'm quite happy!

I'd love to get others feedback on this, if people feel there is something I missed, also, other articles are availble for read on my blog, link is in the signature.

I'm hoping this helps designers here know what to do with the web sites they are working on.

Webnauts · #8 (**permalink**) 11-11-2006, 02:13 PM

We will sure come up with some things Wes. Thanks for the great post again.

sneekapeek · #9 (**permalink**) 11-14-2006, 01:32 PM

ok, first off, great points. Very well thought out and explained.

However, i'm having a bit of issure with your last point. Maybe I'm naive... maybe I'm just out of the loop...

Obviously, web accessibility is huge, but when you say, "If your site cannot be visited by a blind person, and easily understood, then you’re making a grave mistake", I gotta do a double take.

Is this to say, that every web site on the planet, needs to have a voice introduction of some kind? I guess I don't understand... even if you did have some kind of audible instructions on your site, how you would be able to have a blind person navigate through your site.

Maybe I completely miss-interpreted that statement... maybe it was satire? Or an over-exaggeration?

A little clarification would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks for the great post!

-Nate
Way Creative Media, LLC

weslinda · #10 (**permalink**) 11-14-2006, 03:18 PM

Thanks for the reply, and I can hopefully help you understand that point.

Blind people traffic the web, just as you and I do, but their browser is Aural in nature. It speaks the pages to them, vs. them being able to see it. So when you are building your site, you need to make sure that if it was visited by that type of visitor, they could navigate your site using their browser.

It's not a statement of adding audio to your site, it is a statement of making sure your site can be understood by an aural reader when a blind person would visit your site. Just as any business must have handicap access or risk being sued, the same is true on the web, Section 508 still applies.

Hopefully that will help you a bit.

Webnauts · #11 (**permalink**) 11-14-2006, 03:41 PM

Sneakapeek, accessibility is not only about blind persons.

Here are two articles of our which can clarify your questions:

1. Why accessibility is important to you
2. The need for accessibility
3. In concerns of SEO, have a look at this thread I started a while ago: Google Tests Accessible Search Page

weslinda · #12 (**permalink**) 11-14-2006, 03:43 PM

Nice links, great articles, great overview web...

Webnauts · #13 (**permalink**) 11-14-2006, 03:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by weslinda

Nice links, great articles, great overview web...

Thanks Wes. If they are so great, why don't you add them in your post above, to avoid further questions?

Users prefer that we back up our statements as you already know. :)

But I told you already that you rules above rule. But I told you that already. ;)

weslinda · #14 (**permalink**) 11-14-2006, 04:06 PM

Well I can certainly do that. I didn't know I could still edit the original post. I'll do that in a little bit.

masters · #15 (**permalink**) 11-23-2006, 02:43 AM

Great advices. I'm sure it will benefit alot of new webmasters. Thanks!

gpconnelly · #16 (**permalink**) 01-14-2007, 02:31 PM

I found this post quite boring in that it really just re-staed what we have heard about 8 million times elsewhere... So, I thought I'd spice it up with something quite newish and introduce you to something I find extremely annoying about web design and web designers generally...

As I see it, I think it's time we all moved on from the idea that web design is a form of design. A good website is one where the design goes unnoticed, in my opinion. Web design as we know it, really is about layout and organisation, not design as such.

Fair enough, in some contexts there is a case for going overboard with design and it is here I think you could say there are design issues at stake; I'm talking about portfolio sites and "fun" sites...

For the majority of us though, the purpose of a website is to communicate, transmit information, and generate business... design only becomes an issue when it has failed.

I think in years to come the idea of being a web designer will be laughed and scoffed at... websites are starting to suscribe to set layouts and ways of doing things that, as we speak, are undermining the very notion of web design. As more sites become dynamic this trend is likely to continue and increase too, and that's a good thing.

Newspapers are pretty much all the same so why should websites do it differently? I don't hear anyone talking about well designed newspapers, not often anyway. The sooner web layout (or design, if you insist) is standardized, the better.

weslinda · #17 (**permalink**) 01-14-2007, 03:18 PM

Good ideas here, and while I think we all agree that design is moving into new territories, I would have to disagree with some of your statements.

While it may be perceived by the few that "design" is becoming very general and similar, I think that if you take a few moments to review some of the sites that have been submitted for review, you'll see that there is a long way for many to go in the "design" category.

With that said, I think that actual web design will become a more specialized art form, versus going the way of "scoffed at". The issue here is that there is so much to be done with a site that design is many times lost. Take the example you mentioned of newspapers. While many "look" the same. Just a few months back one of the regional newspapers near me did a complete overhaul of their design, and I would have to say for the better.

Also, different designs work for different environments. Take a look at USA Today beside The Wallstreet Journal, and I think you'll see my point.

This post was designed to help newcomers learn what is most important in how to design their site, not be a catalyst of what design will look like 20 years.

I think your statement regarding the "design" going unnoticed is somewhat true, however, I'd hate for a well written book to go unnoticed because we all chose to use the same covers instead of adding the flare that is necessary.

Design isn't going anywhere, it's just evolving and I think that the only reason that web designers are getting "scoffed at" as you say is because many are not achieving even the basic ideas listed in this original post.

Frocked · #18 (**permalink**) 01-14-2007, 04:18 PM

Some interesting points gpconnnelly, & I agree with some but does 'font', text size, colour, size & colour of a border etc, etc, not come under 'design'? I think so, but then that is my opinion. Think of those Websites that you leave on the first page; the relevant info may be there but the overall 'design' of the page puts you off!

Saying that 'design' works when it is not noticed can be true; in some cases it means you have got it right, but in others the design NOT being noticed may mean your piece is overlooked for another's whose design simply looks better & is more attractive/easier on the eye. A newspaper has to be designed to ensure the layout works, attracts the eye, and does not muddle or confuse the reader, & depicts the right image. Even if templates are used, every page will not look the same as that would just not attract the reader; this is where design comes in.

Having worked very closely on the new design of our Site, even down to the colour of the hoverlinks, has been very time consuming but at the end of the day being a fashion-selling Site appearances do count; first impressions & all that. This has been designed more on a 'layout' design, to ensure easy use for the customer to browse & purchase; it is a B2C Site. However when we do our B2B Site it will be more of a designed Site & not use 'layouts' thus ensuring that the design does 'stand out!!

...at the end of the day different design is needed for different places.

Webnauts · #19 (**permalink**) 01-15-2007, 09:51 AM

For print media there are standards (styles), the Chicago Manual of Style. What is for the Web?

blitzen · #20 (**permalink**) 01-17-2007, 03:55 PM

Nice points for the most part. However, I disagree with some points that you made, such as the fade-in/out and flash intro. You failed to consider the purpose of the website and the target market.

Most forum discussions about web design that I've read don't consider marketing strategies. The opinions tend to emphasize the same design elements which lead to the same style of website design.

I haven't counted, but there must be a large percentage of websites using those "file folder tabs" at the top. They're good for an office-supply store. But, why would an auto shop or nautical store use file-folder tabs? Laziness, lack of creativity, or low budget? How about navigating the auto shop with toolbox drawers and the nautical store with sailor's knots or portholes?
Let's look at this from a marketing point of view.

When you design a website, in addition to making a sale or informing a visitor, the goal is to Be Remembered. If you try something that others aren't doing, you'll be remembered. So, go ahead and use that fade-in or other page transition that WesLinda doesn't like. Be different.

For a successful site, Appeal to Your Target Market. I've been to some websites that I think are just awful. But they have a successful appeal to their chosen market (My demographics are even close to their target).

If you're a designer, advertising company, or a video website, go ahead and include that flash intro with a "skip" link. Design for your target market.

How about those annoying blinking and flashing images? Look at research studies (e.g., Nielsen) and you'll find people don't like them, get angry and will eventually leave the site. This is much more important to avoid than a nicely designed relevant flash intro.

We use large image files linked to from a smaller ones for expensive items where our clients demand a closer look-see. The images have no greater resolution than a monitor, but large in size. If you're paying $hundreds to $thousands for an item, you'll wait for the large image to load. We keep the large images less than 25 seconds, mostly under 20 sec, to load at 56kpbs. And, they still look great!

However, I've seen thumbnails at such high-resolution that they do take an awful long time to load. That's just a waste of resources. I think that this is what WesLinda may be thinking.

All in all, I encourage you to think about Branding Strategies and Appealing to your Target Market when designing a new layout. Just because you don't like it doesn't mean it won't be successful. Put your mind in the place of the intended audience and you'll do great.