Examples of Bad Websites

One might assume that a website offering "free, objective information you can use" would arrange it in a manner that would make it easy for you to navigate.  That assumption, in this case, would be WRONG.

What a mess!   A page that takes 40 page-downs to get to the bottom is never a good idea.  Mostly links, this site offers information on everything from How Cell Phones Work to Azodicarbonamide in bread at Subway.  (Azodicarbonamide must be tasty, because Subway bread is delicious.)  Looking for information on frog deformities?  It's linked from this website.

This website claims to have been online since 1998.  In all of that time, while collecting link after link for alphabetical insertion on the landing page -  it hasn't occurred to anyone to investigate a better website design? 

Welcome Home!

Well, that's what it says, right?  The Rainbow Family, which is said to be the largest non-organization of non-members in the world, did NOT make this website, and calls it an unofficial collection of information.

We aren't quite sure what this website is about, or what we're supposed to do on it.  That breaks one of the primary rules of website design.  In fact, that might be rule #1 - tell users what you want them to do, and for goodness' sake, don't confuse them.  If you're in doubt about that rule being broken...just LOOK at the website.  Enough said?

Keeping website content updated may seem like an endless task.  You’ve got a lot going on, people already know who you are and what you do, right?  But you could at least TRY.   Even making allowances for a busy summer, a Newsletter from three years ago is inexcusable.  Maybe the business has closed… If so, why is there still an active website? 

How about the Working Here page?  Presumably, you’d see the typical jobs available, and have a way to apply.  Nope – there’s an Under Construction message. 

Like a virus, an issue that just doesn’t seem to go away is those who try to be cute by having a different style, theme, color and font on every page.  There is no circumstance where this is acceptable, or even sensible.  It offends the eyes and looks unprofessional. 

As a parent looking for childcare – are you going to be interested enough to call the center with an inconsistent and incomplete website, or one that has a clean, updated and informative professional website?

Remember keyword stuffing? From Google's own Webmaster Tools page, these are practices that you should NOT do, because it can harm your site's ranking:

Lists of phone numbers without substantial added value - CHECK

Blocks of text listing cities and states a webpage is trying to rank for  - CHECK

Repeating the same words or phrases so often that it sounds unnatural, for example:

"Put your trust in a Fort Worth Home Inspector performing your Home Inspection that has a proven record of knowledge and experience in not only the Home Inspection business but the construction of your potential new home. Home Inspection is my passion in life. Partner with me to enjoy a Professional and enjoyable home Inspecting experience."

CHECK.

This company may have done "Multiple thousands of Home Inspections", but they sure took some bad advice from a web developer.  

Once in a while we come across a website that seems, at first look, to be comically bad on purpose.  Sometimes, that is indeed the case.  In this example, tragically - it is not.

The Atlanta Restaurant Guide is actually trying to be a resource for where to dine out when visiting Atlanta.  Here's the problem:  you'll quickly lose whatever appetite you had while viewing this mess.  There's too much wrong with the design of this website to list it all - but (lack of) navigation, colors, font, style, layout, and an utter disregard for mobile device users all amount to a 'why bother' rating.

Here's one major flaw - La Parilla is NOT listed on this website.  It is a favorite of at least one staff member here, so leaving it off a website meant to include the "best restaurants" is an egregious oversight.