10 Deadly Web Site Sins

WEB SITE SIN #6: "This Site is Under Construction!"

It's a real simple concept folks...if it isn't finished, don't list it.

I'm not talking about one section under development; that's acceptable to me and I think to most other people. When you submit your site to all the search engines and haven't completed anything but the home page, you've got a problem.

It irritates people; they won't bookmark your site and return in a few weeks just because they liked the cool graphics you had.

A second cousin to "The Evil BLINK!" is the animated "Under Construction" sign. Do we really need this? Isn't it kinda obvious when parts of a site are incomplete?

Most good sites are perpetually "under construction" anyway; it's more or less an unspoken law.

WEB SITE SIN #7: Background Sound

In my book, another big no-no for professional sites.

Background sounds are more appropriate for a personal page, don't you think? It's important that you present a professional image for your business site.

The ol' credibility meter starts veering towards "EMPTY" when you subject your visitors to the midi version of The Scroungehounds latest single.

If you feel absolutely compelled to make your visitors submit to this cruel and unusual punishment, please don't make it LOOP indefinitely.

WEB SITE SIN #8: Inconsistent Design/Layout

I feel that on a business site, the design/layout/navigational items should be kept consistent throughout the site.

Have you ever visited a site and clicked a link and then wondered if you were still at the same site or if you had moved on to a different one?

I would recommend using the same background and navigational items (in the same location, too) on every page throughout the site.

It may sound boring, but it should make it much easier for your visitors to find their way around.

Making your visitors click on a flaming, green skull on one page to go "BACK" and on Rudolf's red nose on another page to do the same thing won't win you any popularity contests.

WEB SITE SIN #9: Designing for a Specific Browser/Color Setting/Screen Resolution

I've got an idea...I'm going to make my site totally inaccessible to 25% of my visitors!!

Sound crazy? It is. Unfortunately, that is exactly what many site designers do.

Oh, the percentage is completely arbitrary, but it's commonplace to see a site is very difficult, if not impossible, for select groups to enjoy.

I'm a firm believer in not making sites browser specific. Not everyone downloads the latest, greatest version of MSIE or Netscape - why make your site only enjoyable for those who do?