Long Paragraphs As web surfers lack long attention spans, they tend to dislike sitting on a computer reading long texts. The reading experience on websites will be more enjoyable if short paragraphs, headlines, and bullet points are utilized. Music on Websites A popular gimmick in the mid-90′s, these days it is considered amateurish for a site to load with music that cannot be turned off. Since people often surf the web while at their job, watching television, or listening to music of their own, sites that have music that automatically loads may be less appealing.

Blinking Text and Animations Blinking text and animations date back to the 90′s. Novice web designers may enjoy showing off their skills, but animations will actually make your site look amateurish. Moreover, animated ads can distract users and cause them to leave the site. Small and Colored Fonts Small fonts occasionally appear really nice on the screen; however, people have trouble reading it. A user will go elsewhere by clicking off, if the site cannot be read by them. It can become hard to read when fonts that are colored are employed, and especially when a dark background with a dark font, or a light background with a light font is used by the web designer.

New Browser Windows It is very annoying for the user that each page on the site opens a browser window that is new. When people look at the website, they don’t want to see ten tabs open. Accordingly, use a new window only if the user will be redirected to an external site. Doorway Pages Doorway pages are occasionally utilized by unethical SEO tactics called blackhat SEO, or by individuals who want to display their Flash design abilities. Sadly, doorway pages won’t add any additional value to the user; it just makes it more difficult to get to the actual site. Doorway pages should not be used in many situations.

Doorway Pages Unscrupulous SEO tactics, referred to as blackhat SEO, sometimes utilize doorway pages, as do some people who want to showcase their skills in Flash design. Actually, there is no value added to the user by doorway pages, it only supplies an additional step to the manner of accessing the site. Generally, you ought to steer clear of using doorway pages. Hidden PDFs A fantastic addon to a site, for purposes of marketing, is a PDF file, however, a text must be present to inform the user that a PDF is about to be clicked on. PDF files frequently make computer screens freeze, and so it is better to let people know before they click and discover it. Illegible CAPTCHA’s CAPTCHA’s are currently important to prevent spam, however, sometimes it is almost impossible for a normal person to understand it. Do not have any CAPTCHA’s that will confuse the average person.

You can create an attractive website if you avoid these design mistakes and ask professionals for their feedback.

Stephen Grisham, Sr. is a professional writer for InfoServe Media, LLC. If you are looking for web design in Houston, or if you just need a few changes to an existing site, InfoServe Media also offers website maintenance.