This is a list of items that I, and many others, do not like to see on websites. Consider this when you’re designing a site, because it’s important. So what if someone doesn’t like it? Well, there are tons of websites out there, and unless you’re the only website selling your product or service, you should care. Some things on this list will cause me to automatically leave a website, regardless of what is on it.

1. Under construction signs - Why? Why do you want to take a visitor to a page that only contains a message that there is nothing on this page? Better to have a message when they hover that tells the visitor that option is not yet available. Or, perhaps leave the option off entirely until it’s ready. Just don’t make me go to a page for no reason.
2. Stock pictures of people made out to be employees or customers. I don’t even know why websites think this will attract my attention.
3. Ad pages that you’re forced to view when you click on a link. I may stay on a site that does it, generally because I need to be there. But still, I find it irritating.
4. Splash pages. In the early days of the web, these were common. I even confess to having created one many, many years ago. But they truly serve no purpose. To those who think they impress the visitor - They don’t.
5. “This site best viewed in ” - This sentence is usually completed with some version of IE. I don’t know why they would create a site that is best viewed in only one browser. That just speaks to the shortcomings of the developer. And it doesn’t take into account the fact that many people can’t or don’t use IE. I work on a Mac. The last version of IE created for a Mac is 5.2. It has a copyright date of 2001. Microsoft has decided not to update IE for the Mac. Because of its age, IE for Mac no longer works well with most sites. And that’s just the Mac users. There are other operating systems as well as other people who prefer other browsers to IE.
6. Sites that feel the need to adjust your browser’s window size. I think these sites are misguided in their intent. They are trying to accommodate lower resolution PCs by making the window larger - so that the entire site can be seen. But it irritates me when they do that. I have a fairly high resolution monitor. I like my screen arranged the way it is. If you insist on messing with it, I’m going to insist on going elsewhere.
7. Sites that check if you are running IE and won’t let you in if you aren’t. I’ve even heard that some sites are already insisting that you run IE7. This is an extension of item 5, but it is worse. Suggesting that a site is best viewed in IE is one thing. But not letting me in unless I’m running IE? I cannot imagine a website that I would want to get to bad enough that I would change computers in order to visit. This is further evidence of developers with a limited knowledge of web development.
8. Flash and other moving things - even animated GIFs. This is much more than a preference. I suffer from migraines. The motion on a page can trigger a migraine for me. There are also many people that are bothered by motions for other reasons - such as those with epilepsy and cognitive disorders. If your website has much motion on it, many people, myself included, will have to leave your site immediately.
9. Websites that play a video ad when you first get to them. This is so annoying. If nothing else, consider the fact that your visitor might be somewhere that they don’t want sound playing - at work, a coffee shop, etc. There is a local website that had a video ad for a car dealer on it. It took me several visits before I even associated the voice with the ad. So, not only was it annoying, but it was ineffective advertising.
10. Music and Sound - If you’re a musician, I can understand having music on your site. Even then, it’s annoying if I’m not expecting it. If you have music, provide me an option to turn it off. Better still, provide the option to turn it ON and leave it off by default. And please, never have someone start talking to me. I’m not going to listen anyway because I’ll be busy hitting the Back button! More importantly, consider those who are visually impaired. They use screen readers such as JAWS in order to ‘view’ a website. If you have sound playing automatically, it could interfere with their reader. This would make your website inaccessible to those with vision problems.

If you notice, many of the items on my list refer to advertising. It annoys me that advertisers are turning the web into an commercial nightmare. There are better ways. Use text ads or ads with static graphics instead. If you have an annoying ad, I’m likely not to buy the advertisers product, and I’m likely to leave your website. Remember, your website is not unique. If people don’t like what they find on your website, they can easily vote with their feet. And your left wondering why you have no sales…

That’s my 2 cents, your mileage may vary. Have something else you find annoying? By all means, leave a comment.

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