Bad Website Design Examples

Since the late '90s, we have been surfing thousands of websites. Some were good examples, some were a bad example.

Some website fashions will come and go -- but as an example, there are some things that just should never be done on a website. (And won't be done on any of the websites we build.)

What we implement on our clients websites are tried, true, tested and proven methods to maximise our clients' website presence -- especially in regard to the highest possible search engine rankings in their field or expertise or market place.

Characteristics & example of a bad website

Below is a list of our (ever) growing list of "pet hates" that bad websites have and will not be recommened or used on any of our websites.

1. an email address in an unencrypted state (Do you want spam?!!)
2. a browser dependent functionality i.e.. "you must be using this browser for this site to work"
3. a website under construction notice
4. the words "click here" being the link text
5. links that will only work when JavaScript is enabled
6. the use of frames to build the website
7. the text (font sizes) of the page not being adjustable or too small
8. an uncomplimentary colour scheme
9. a design that only fits on certain size screens
10. a webpage built using a print publishing program i.e. MS Publisher, MS Word...
11. links that can not easily be identified as such or
12. the link colour doens't change whether visited or not
13. links that are broken or go to a different place than stated
14. pages that take a long time to download
15. splash/skip homepages that say very little
16. the whole site being constructed using flash with no html alternative
17. a dynamic navigational menu system that doesn't display more info indicators
18. the use of tables, spacer/shim images to design the layout the page
19. files like PDFs or MS Word docs that could be a normal web page
20. the use of images as text instead (unless a decorative style is needed)
21. any large downloadable files (over 50kb) that do not have an infomative warning
22. an unclear purpose of what the site is about
23. abbreviations or acronnyms that are left unexplained
24. links that will open new windows unless marked as such
25. simpel speling mistakes that remain unfixed
26. any unnecessary pop-ups
27. false advertising or claiming to be something they are not
28. ANY unauthorized copyrighted content

Keys to successful websites

When you hire Shalom Software company to build or improve your internet website, we will not use any of the bad website design examples listed above, but will implement good website design practices and use proven techniques for successful effective websites to maximise your online presence.

When we build a high ranking website, we will use a good balance between designing the visual appearance of the site and working on the content and site structure.

There is no point having the greatest looking site that contains bad content or is built wrongly so that people won't find it.

Shalom Software will ensure that your website looks great and is easily findable.

Contact us today for a free website design quote or telephone Maurice Karunaratne on (03) 9402 4513.