Website development can be tricky.
As the Internet continues to evolve, the rules of website development will continue to change. However, many of the most common mistakes are the same now as they were 10 years ago, in the earliest days of the Internet when AOL was first bringing America online.
As it was then, these are the deadly sins of poor website development
1) Not Altering the Text Color of Visited Links
Knowing where you’ve been helps you best determine where you still want to go. Links are the central key to fluid visiter navigation. If a visitor keeps returning to the same page time and again, they will grow frustrated and leave your site altogether.
If a visitor leaves in frustration, chances are excellent that they will never return. Altering the text color is a simple tweak in any website development and should never be neglected.
2) Poorly Handled Search
Proper search is fundamental to effective website development because it is the lifeline of a visitor if they get lost during any part of their navigation.
Ideally, the search function should be nothing more than a simple box that answers queries. It should never be too literal, and place the most likely pages at the top of the list.
The most effective searches should take into account typos, hyphens and synonyms.
3) Graphics Which Look Like Ads
We’ve been navigating online for a while. This means that many web surfers have become immune to any graphics that resemble ads. While site graphics are a good thing, having them look like ads will increase the odds that your visitors will pass them over as they navigate the site.
This is an important step in the website development process, especially if you are choosing to monetize your site through ad revenue.
4) Consistency
Consistency and usability both essential and linked at their core. Your site should have a consistent feel from page to page. This will help to enhance the site’s usability and should be a part of the website development process from the very beginning.
Consistency helps to ensure that each page shares commonalities with all the others, thereby establishing an environment that is both comfortable and conducive to commerce.
Though some people like surprises, the wrong surprise could send your visitor clicking away immediately.
5) Ignoring Visitor Needs
Possibly the most important question to consider during the website development process, why is your visitor on the site in the first place?
Though users do like to surf around, the majority of web users are bouncing from site to site with intention. Chances are, the visitor on your site is there for a specific purpose. The sooner you can help them with their needs, the quicker they will respond to whatever it is you would like for them to do most.
The website development process is rapidly changing, but by focusing on what not to do, you can still make sure that your site is second to none.
