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10 Spooky Web Designers’ Mistakes That Can Scare Visitors Away
Posted on November 7, 2014
Web designers have enliven the world wide web for quite some time now. They already know what is effective and what is not in web designing (and what is terrifying). However, in some cases, there are those who never learn from their mistakes.
When designing a website, many experts would recommend to keep it simple and user-friendly. It displays not only your site, but also your company and brand. Entrepreneur.com has listed top 10 mistakes to avoid in web designing, and to step up the effectiveness of your web.
For this season and the following, give your visitors a great treat and not terrifying tricks by avoiding these scary mistakes:
1. Disappearing Back button. This is a big “no-no” when it comes to web designing. Without this essential button, chances are, your customer will be redirected to an unwanted location or a new window will appear and replace the screen. As much as possible, don’t commit this mistake as it can be annoying, and your customers will never again visit your site.
2. Shocking new window. Before, using several new frames for displaying content was considered a red-hot concept in web design and development. Now, it can be an irritating experience because it can’t only slow down the computer’s response, but it can also complicate visitor’s experience. While it’s a convenient way, it is not recommended.
3. Missing phone number . Whether your business is selling (products and services) or not, putting your contact information (e.g. mailing address, phone and email address) on your website is a must. Even if no one will call that number, it can add some credibility to your website. You should position the “Contact Us” link at every page of your website.
4. Dead links. Make sure that all links used in your website work, just as you promised. Place a “Contact the Webmaster” link in your site’s footer so users can inform you if they found a broken link. That way, you can fix the errors immediately.
5. Walking dead server. Too slow server is another huge mistake most website designers commit. A recent study by Akamai Technologies shows that online shoppers will wait for an average of only four seconds for the site to load before clicking away. If your page takes more time load, make the necessary adjustments to make your site faster.
6. Deceased information. Make sure to keep your site fresh and updated for best results. Probably, you could lose your credibility due to outdated content. In doing so, be sure that your content is accurate. If you see errors, fix them immediately .
7. Lost in the woods (Poor navigation). Remember that the Internet is all about speed. Do ensure that every page of your site has a navigation bar to make it easier for your visitors to view the pages. Also, add a site map on the navigation bar or footer of your site so they have an idea on what to find on your site.
8. Horrifying multiple fonts and colors. As much as possible, only use two or three fonts and colors per page. This shows solidity and stability of your website, and not your artistic skills. Likewise, make sure that your fonts and colors will also work across multiple devices- from desktops to mobile.
9. Mysterious Pages. Remember this- all your pages should link back to your home page. It’s because some visitors will forward a URL to their friends who may visit your site for more information. But how can they, if it’s a dead end page? So, always link a Home on each page.
10. R.I.P. social networking sites (SNS). It is crucial that you connect your website to all your social media sites (whether it’s Facebook, Twitter, or LinkedIn). This way, your visitors can easily communicate with you. Also, it’s a good way to drive traffic to your website through these SNS.
Whether you’re building or redoing your website, make sure that your on the right track. Take note of these pet peeves and avoid committing them. As web designers, it’s your responsibility to make yours or your client’s website simple and user-friendly to avoid scaring your visitors away.