Web Pages That Suck - learn good web design by looking at bad web design

Submitter’s comments: I couldn’t resist submitting this site, which as far as I can tell provides no information whatsoever about the company that made it, and drives the user insane with its moving pictures and completely obscure navigation:

Vincent Flanders’ comments: This may be the best example of head-up-your-ass web design I’ve ever seen. WTF?

joneschijoff

Website similarities seems to be a popular topic this week. First, we had Jakob Nielsen weigh in with Should You Copy a Famous Site’s Design? and then I discovered Copycat Design.

Here are three examples I’ve been using for a long time.

1. A big screenshot of some sites with a similar look.
2. A video I made on the topic.
3. A screen capture of similar legal statements. Yes, these examples are old but, if I remember correctly, these legal statements were used until fairly recently.

Submitter’s comments: “Surprised to see that Mystery Meat Navigation is still alive and kicking on an otherwise very nicely designed site.” (Originally posted on Smiley Cat Web Design blog.)

Vincent Flanders’ comments: There’s always a lot of MMN floating around. We also have a problem with contrast. While AccessColor doesn’t have any problems with the site, the Colour Contrast Analyser utility does. Remember this simple rule: If they can’t read it, they will leave it.

Hull Digital Live 10

Submitter’s comments: This appears to be the site of a five-star hotel in Florida. The first thing I notice about the unnecessary splash page is that it’s bathed in bright scarlet. Assuming you haven’t clicked the tiny “Enter” link or headed for the hills, you’ll be redirected to the site’s first index page. There are these horrible marquee things and flashy gifs and, if you mouse over the third image on the sidebar from the top, the page contracts and expands sickeningly. Navigating through the site is confusing and painful — even the photo gallery is convoluted.

The site is keen to show how friendly hotel staff is, and it’s true that hotel staff do play a part in the experience of a guest. However, I’ve always thought that the biggest draw to a five-star hotel were the facilities. You don’t need to take a class in advertising to know that the site is a marketing nightmare.

Vincent Flanders’ comments: I didn’t realize Ann-Margret was still working, but there she is on the Splash page we don’t need.

This site is tacky, tacky, tacky. On the other hand, maybe this site is perfect. If this is what their audience expects, then there’s nothing wrong with it. Who am I kidding? Nobody could be this aesthetically challenged.

Red Rose Inn and Suites