Examples of Bad Websites
There are countless examples of embarrassing website designs and development out there. These are the latest examples we have discovered. For each site below we provide a brief analysis to assist you in avoiding the same pitfalls.
After looking at the websites and critiques below, please visit our free advice area.
Help us clean up the Internet!
Hanover Pancake House
Busy and colorful, this website isn't terrible, but it is a mess. You can't even see the address because it's overlaid with other text. Kind of cute misspellings abound, such as 'chipolte' and 'andoulie' which may be exactly how the locals pronounce these words.
We were confused by .mid and .aif files opening at the bottom of the screen until we realized that with each navigation menu click, a sound file was trying to play.
Oddly, the Reviews show 'guestbook' entries, not all of them complimentary so maybe no one's monitoring entries such as "WAITED FOR OVER A HOUR AFTER ORDER WAS TAKEN BEFORE RECIEVED ANY FOOD" and "Had one of the worst services and comments from any restaruant on this planet." and " The entire staff ignored us while we were there." Oops.
R&R Sanitation
Here at boogersite.com, one of us had occasion to use a portable toilet over the weekend. Let us tell you - there is a LOT of room for improvement in these ubiquitous outdoor facilities. Maybe the company behind today's bad website is making strides in their field, but you wouldn't know if from their dated website. By Network Solutions, of all people!
Amusing motto (We Want Your Stinking Business) aside, the site's a mess. We found a misspelling, an audio testimonial, a movie that won't play, and some old PDFs which may still be relevant and useful on how many units you need for your event based on length and attendence. Those PDFs were the most modern-looking part of the experience.
In short - if your website looks dated, internet searchers may assume your company is too, if still in business at all.
CMD
Ooooooohhh... On the TLC Tip! If you have no idea what that references, you may be young. Wait, this url is 'cmd-tip.' But why? Perhaps the web 'designer' and url-procurer is a fan of TLC. (not that there is anything wrong with that)
What IS wrong is that this website is stuck in 1992, and that's being generous. Keywords include ball check, nozzles, screw tip, and job shop. Hey wait - there's the 'tip!' But it's the only place tip is mentioned.
Quaintly, you are invited to order by phone, fax, e mail, or post office. Just step right up to the counter at the post office, and order a 'tip.' We dare you. :)
Quality Mold
Maybe it's just us, but today's bad website may have looked old 10 years ago, when it was made. These days, it's positively ancient.
When you are lucky enough for potential customers to choose YOUR website out of the plethora of choices they're presented with after an internet search - wouldn't you want to present that site visitor with your very best? You've only got a few precious seconds to impress.
Does your site impress? If you were standing at the front door of your office, greeting someone who walked in, what would you say? If your website isn't presenting a welcoming and informative first impression, you WILL lose business.
New Mexico Chili
This unsecure (insecure?) lil site is a relic from when it seemed to be a race to use as many of the stock colors that came with your website builder package. Magenta? Check. Light blue AND dark blue? Check. Including the url everywhere of the website that you are already on? Check. There also may be use of a Disney character image, most certainly without permission.
The site is a scattered mess with no design whatsoever.