What are your pet hates with websites?

[peteyt]

Hi

Just wondering what people's pet hates are with websites? I have quite a few that I notice a load of sites do all the time.

(1) Good design but free domain - people will pay for a good design sometimes but end up using a free domain like a .co.cc or whatever - it kind of ruins the overall image and it's not like domains are expensive - yeah I know sometimes domains aren't always available so pick a good name with a top end domain available e.g. .com/.co.uk etc. - Especially if your looking to get some revenue e.g. advertising - it won't help as if your not willing to buy a domain why should they be willing to invest.

(2) Hotmail email addresses - Why do websites with an actual proper domain use free hotmail accounts when they can easily create one with their domain for nothing via their control panel - It just really confuses me and like the free domain one just makes the website look cheap.

(3) Websites that launch too incomplete - Now I don't mind websites launching with bits coming soon but some launch with not enough working - I've seen a load of web based stations e.g. habbo ones launching and then asking for staff which annoys me - why not ask for staff while launching then you can launch with a working schedule (or at least a partly working schedule).

(4) Big donation boxes - I'm not against donation boxes but they have to be used in a certain way. I've seen some sites slap it in annoying places and when their brand new it can seem a little cheeky as you want to make sure the sites going to be around for a while - sorry but a load of people give up too easy and close their sites down just like that.

(5) Using the first name that comes to their head - big big mistake. If you want to run a sucessful site play around with names, ask people what they like and for any ideas of their own - I've seen some people just use any old name. If you can, use a name that spells out what you are notice all the building companies bla bla builders inc. and so on - it might not be the best name but it spells out who they are - so try and find a name that's good but represents you e.g. something hosting tells you your a hosting company.

If anyone wants to add to the list feel free.

[Samantha]

1. Those sites that when you go on nothing loads, loads of broken links and images.
2. Sites that just reload all the time (Habbo has started doing that on groups and home pages urgh).
3. Sites where you have to sign up just to view it.

[Charlie]

I agree with the sites that use free email addresses, it makes me wonder if they're actually legit because they don't have a proper email address and used hotmail instead when they could have gotten their own and come across more professional. As well as websites with badly designed layouts that are just bad on the eyes or aren't easy to navigate. If I visit a site, I want to be able to get around it easy and look at without thinking it looks tacky, otherwise I just leave straight away.

[lizzieTBH.]

Sites that have a pop-up box if you right click or simply just go on the site.

Sites that take an absoloute age to load because of all the content/types of content.

Bad layouts, like seriously a 6 year old could create a better site than my primary school's site.

Too many links that when clicked just say "COMING SOON!"

When websites still have the "link" as the link name as they haven't changed it.

Horrible cursors.

[peteyt]

Yeah bad layouts I should have put in there - It annoys me to when people with crap layouts and a free domain, basically everything free, ask for donations.

The website I run has some big issues at the moment and we are having a complete re-design which is costing us. But I believe when it comes to things like this people should put their money where their mouth is and instead of trying to gain money from others actually put some in their self.

I've said this to a person a number of times (not going to mention who). And this person's excuse often is well I'm still at school, no job etc. Let's just say this person goes and creates site after site - Now I'm not saying there is anything wrong with young people setting their own site up but you should only do it if you can afford it. Don't just set up a crap site and expect people to donate because you can't afford to put anything on it.

If you can't afford then wait - this person and others it's hard to explain but it's like they have to have a website - Why? if your last one failed because you don't have the time and money and your in the same position this time then surely the next will - just wait, gain more experience in this field and in general/life etc.

Rant over ha

[Pegle]

Well I saw a major coach company in my area use a hotmail address -.-

OT: I hate, blocky layouts that look like they've come from the nineties. As well as adverts just stuck on a site in their, it makes me wonder whether the content is an advert and the advert's are the main site content.

[peteyt]

Well I saw a major coach company in my area use a hotmail address -.-

OT: I hate, blocky layouts that look like they've come from the nineties. As well as adverts just stuck on a site in their, it makes me wonder whether the content is an advert and the advert's are the main site content.

Yeah I tried to avoid mentioning Habbo fan sites as a lot do use bad practises but you'd be surprised how many actual proper companies seem to have horrible websites. I could understand a few years ago but now with most people online a website is necessary (well I believe so).