A very wise person once said something along
lines of “the best thing about web is that every one can become a publisher and worst thing about web is that everyone can become a publisher.” With availability of so many web publishing tools, developers are making it incredibily easy to design webpages and sites that are just wrong on so many levels.The golden rule applies to web too! If it frustrated you on someone else’s website - why are you going to put it on yours? Below, you can find some of most common gripes experienced when browsing.
1. I’m lost and I can’t find my way home… Do your site visitors know where they are? It’s important to have a link back to ‘home’ or a site map on every page especially for larger web sites. A search feature would also be helpful if you have a lot of content on your site. If your visitors cannot easily find their way around your site, they will leave and chances are, never come back.
2. Disabled Browser Buttons Taking away your visitors’ ability to use their browser back and forward buttons is not way to get on your visitor’s good side. If you’ve set up page redirection scripts, make sure it does not interfere with browser buttons or ‘trap’ visitors in your site. If they can’t click back or become frustrated, they’ll click ‘x’ in upper right hand corner.
3. What does that say? Reading text on a computer screen is much different than reading text in a book. It is a lot more strenuous on eyes. Keep your font and background colors highly contrasting. If you have a light background, use a dark font, if you have a dark background, use a light font. Your site is no good to anyone if they cannot read your content.
4. It seemed like a good idea at time… Some graphics just look soooo cool - but before you add it to your site, stop, take a deep breath and think about it. Where will you put it and what will it add to your site? Will it cause your visitors to lose focus on content and focus on spinning, flashing, blinking, (you get idea) object? Will it slow down page load time? Keep in mind, average visitor will barely wait 3 seconds for a page to completely download much less 10 seconds for a blinking rainbow.
5. Your page was last updated when? Set your site as your homepage, it will remind you to periodically update it, especially if you see that there is something amiss with your site’s content. Try to update your site at least once a month (weekly is a better option). If your content doesn’t change or get updated, your visitors will lose interest. If you don’t have a lot of time to spare, you may do well to add a blog or forum to your site and allow your visitors to add content for you.
Unless you update your site regularly (notice I did not say ‘plan to update…’), you really do not need ’site last updated [date]’ on your page. Your visitors may get wrong impression if they see that last time your site was updated was ‘half past never, 500 BC’.
