For the last 16 years have been contracted to review and assess more than 175 web sites for design, usability, eCommerce transaction ease and marketability. In many cases we find that the basic design is the culprit of a non-performing web site. This usually happens because the strategic planning phase of the web site is short or overlooked altogether. Just this week we held a strategy and discovery meeting with a potential client to ascertain their business goals and needs for their web site. It is a crucial first step before any design process begins.

Here is my take, and what I usually discover, as the 7 worst website design faux pas, but there are many more. Here goes:

1. Lack of Strategic Planning regarding business requirements before any design process begins

2. Slow load times hampering usability because images and rich media are not designed properly

3. eCommerce conversions or other conversion goals and the careful planning of web site visitors conversion paths

4. Ignoring the basic three types of visitors to every web site and how to handle their critical pathway behavior as well as an understanding of the anthropology of online behavior

5. Not developing a content matrix to stay relevant to target audience appeal

6. Failing to strategically plan promotions and call outs as part of the integral design process

7. WORST OF ALL: Ignoring SEO compliance and Best Practices for Search Engine Marketing.

If you want more info you know where to reach me… lwoolford@usdm.net

Till next time,
Leah
Founder and CEO, USDM.net