Top Mistakes in Web Design

This article presents the very worst mistakes of Web design.

1. Bad Search
Search is the user's lifeline when navigation fails. Even though advanced search can sometimes help, simple search usually works best, and search should be presented as a simple box, since that's what users are looking for.

2. PDF Files for Online Reading
Users hate coming across a PDF file while browsing. Even simple things like printing or saving documents are difficult because standard browser commands don't work. Layouts are often optimized for a sheet of paper, which rarely matches the size of the user's browser window.

3. Not Changing the Color of Visited Links
Links are a key factor in navigation process. Knowing which pages they've already visited frees users from unintentionally revisiting the same pages over and over again.

4. Non-Scannable Text
You should remember to write for online, not for print. To draw users into the text read other articles of our website.

5. Page Titles With Low Search Engine Visibility
Search is the most important way users discover websites. The humble page title is your main tool to attract new visitors from search listings and to help your existing users to locate the specific pages that they need.

6. Anything That Looks Like an Advertisement
Web users have learned to stop paying attention to any ads that get in the way of their goal-driven navigation. Unfortunately, users also ignore legitimate design elements that look like prevalent forms of advertising.

7. Violating Design Conventions
Consistency is one of the most powerful usability principles. Тhe more the system breaks users' expectations, the more they will feel insecure. If you deviate, your site will be harder to use and users will leave.

8. Opening New Browser Windows
Designers open new browser windows on the theory that it keeps users on their site. But this strategy is self-defeating since it disables the Back button which is the normal way users return to previous sites. A link should be a simple hypertext reference that replaces the current page with new content.