What users hate most about Web sites

14.06.2006
Too many organizations unwittingly give their competitors a free kick by having Web sites that are low on usability and high on annoyance.

Users have a short fuse when they are browsing the Web, according to Theresa Cunnington, senior usability consultant with services firm iFocus.

"It doesn't matter how cool a Web site looks, if users find it impractical they will head to your competitor's site, which is only a click away," Cunnington said.

"Flash animations are an obvious, yet stellar, example of what users hate in a Web site; the skip intro button is the most used button on the Internet.

"Users hate flash because it's a barrier to the site."

Cunnington describes Flash as a classic example of "Jurassic Park Design," that is, designing what you 'can,' rather than what you 'should.'