This article delves into the common pitfalls that can make a website user-unfriendly, using a real-life example to illustrate these issues. It also provides practical advice on how to avoid these mistakes, focusing on the importance of page width in this first part of the series.
Let's start by examining a website that perfectly exemplifies what it means to be user-unfriendly. This website was brought to my attention when a member of a group I'm part of shared a link to a free story. The story, accompanied by rave reviews, sounded intriguing. However, upon visiting the provided URL, I was met with a series of unpleasant surprises.
Instead of the anticipated story, I was bombarded with a barrage of pop-up ads from Tripod. A Java splash page loaded next, followed by a page featuring bright green text on a black background. It seemed as though the author was nostalgic for the pre-Windows era of DOS computers. To make matters worse, there was an embedded sound file playing bird songs with no option to turn it off. The page wasn't the promised story, and I couldn't find any link that might lead to it. Frustrated, I left the site.
The first aspect of website design that can significantly impact user-friendliness is page width. It's advisable to design your website to be viewable on a 12-13" monitor, as there are still users who use these smaller screens. A good rule of thumb is to keep your website within the default width of your browser. It can be mildly annoying to have to expand your browser to the full width of your monitor.
However, having to scroll horizontally to view content that extends beyond the screen width is even more irritating. It's akin to trying to read a newspaper while someone continually covers the right-hand side of the page. If a site extends beyond my 15" (640 x 480) monitor, I need to be highly interested in its content to stay, and I likely won't return. While page lengths can vary depending on content, it's not advisable to make them excessively long.
According to statistics from my own website, over 20% of users are still using 640 x 480 monitors. Therefore, if you design your site solely for the majority of visitors, you're effectively excluding more than a fifth of web surfers, or at least making it difficult for them to fully appreciate your site.
Optimizing Your Website's Visual Appeal: Part 2 of 9
This article is the second in a nine-part series that aims to help you enhance your website's user experience. In this segment, we delve into the role of images on your website, how to use them effectively, and the common pitfalls to avoid.
Is Your Website User-Unfriendly? Exploring Parts 3 and 4 of 9
The first impression of your website can make or break a visitor's experience. This article delves into the third and fourth parts of a nine-part series, focusing on the use of sound files and text presentation on your website. It provides insights on how to make your website more user-friendly and appealing to visitors.
Making Your Website User-Friendly: Part 7 of 9
In the digital age, a user-friendly website is crucial for maintaining visitor engagement and ensuring a positive user experience. This article provides a set of guidelines to help you avoid common pitfalls that can make your website difficult to navigate or read. These tips focus on the use of color and texture in your website design, and how these elements can impact user accessibility and overall site aesthetics.
