- Inconsistent
navigation system:
Sometimes you click on a sidebar, sometimes you get a drop down box.
Don't change the core of your navigation midstream, stay consistent.
Use the same color background within major sections.
- Broken
links:
Either within a site or outside the site. Routinely check for broken
links.
- Browser
specific sites:
Sites that demand a specific browser or browser version to be viewed
properly.
- No
contact Information:
Include address, phone number and email address on many, if not all,
pages.
- Frames:
Can be slow to load and many users have a strong dislike for frames.
- Sites that open popup ads:
Can cause problems with page viewing and quickly annoy users.
- Under
construction signs:
Most websites are under construction most of the time. Wait until the
content is developed rather than link to empty pages.
- Long
and winding roads:
Don't let your readers fall asleep waiting for your graphic-intensive
design to load. Combined file size of text and images should not be
over 45k.
- Content
camouflage:
Don't bury your information. How many clicks does it take to get to
the meaningful content? Try to avoid more than 2 clicks from the home
page.
- Directional
devastation:
Just because you know what an icon means doesn't mean others will. Make
it obvious for users.
- Eye
sores:
Gratuitous graphics are ineffective and distracting. If it doesn't support
or enhance, don't use it.
- Graphic
tunnel vision:
Avoid graphics-only web design. In addition to slow-loading, these are
not kind to the visually impaired.
- Background
from Hell:
Everyone has seen them so why use them. A background which obscures
content is one of the simplest sins to avoid.
- Making
your reader swallow spam:
Don't use unwanted ads, banners and visual information.
- No
links back to the home page:
You could leave users at a dead-end.
- Misspellings,
typos, and bad grammar:
Remember, your pages are there for the whole world to see.
|
