March 21st, 2011 4:04 am by Vincent Flanders
Vincent Flanders’ comments: There was another silly article about “stylish menu designs” that I knew would inspire people to do the wrong thing. Here are some examples of bad web design techniques from the article.
HTML5/CSS3 Drop Down Menu
Drop Down Menu
Navigation Menu
Presentation Tool Re-Skin
Navigation
Dropdowns WTF?
Posted in Daily Sucker, Usability, Web Design, Worst Web Sites |
March 16th, 2011 3:03 am by Vincent Flanders
Submitter’s comments: Their use of hidden text is so confusing. Plus, what’s up with the background? We go to their events and, thank God, their service is better than their website.
Vincent Flanders’ comments: The most important SEO element—as far as anyone can determine—is the text appearing in the home page’s TITLE tag. Unfortunately, this site’s TITLE tag is “index.” Not very helpful.
The problem with using dates on your pages is that people forget to update their site and everyone starts thinking, “These folks are lazy.” Not the impression you want to make. Speaking of dates, Mr. Bottles, the #2 Worst Business Web Site of 2009 proudly states “Last Updated 1/22/10” on their home page.
The mouseover events are just plain scary. You have to see them for yourself.
You can tell the pros from the amateurs by their use of color. TNT’s use of color is atrocious. On the other hand, CSS-Tricks uses a similar color scheme, but it looks fine.
TNT Events
Posted in Daily Sucker, Usability, Web Design, Worst Web Sites |
March 14th, 2011 3:03 am by Vincent Flanders
Submitter’s comments: I like what they have and am still going to go in and check them out for a snack, but their website needs help.
First, the Mystery Meat Navigation is a problem. I HATE having to click through a site to “see where I’m going to end up” because no one thought to label any of the links.
Their Contact page has everything BUT any way to contact them electronically/via email (which only makes an business with a web presence look Mickey Mouse and unprofessional).
Did you note that their Catering Menu is from 2009 – which either means that they don’t update things often, haven’t changed it in two years or are careless and changed the menu but not the title of it/link to it. Either way, questionable.
Vincent Flanders’ comments: The “navigation” on the subpages consists of clicking on the “Back” link or on the logo. Not every effective. Also, if you have your monitor set in portrait mode, the lunch menu is down toward the bottom of the page. The menu is an unmarked PDF file.
Sabletine Fine Pastries
Posted in Daily Sucker |
March 14th, 2011 3:03 am by Vincent Flanders
Submitter’s comments: I love this site because the designer chose to randomly scatter the navigation across the home page. They even worked the links to Facebook and Twitter into the confusing and ultra-busy artwork.
Vincent Flanders’ comments: I like the fact the site doesn’t insult your intelligence by making you fill in your birthday before you can enter. We all know that today’s six-year-old is smart enough to make himself look like he’s 21.
I also like the artistic choice of colors, but I hate everything else. Nobody should be forced to scroll horizontally. It took awhile for me to figure it out since I’m not used to trying to figure out where the navigation is located.
If you click on “Find Us,” it’s impossible to get back to the home page. Even hitting the [back] button doesn’t help. The problem with offering News is that you need to update your news. The last news item was from September 22, 2009.
Bear Flag Wine
Posted in Daily Sucker, Usability, Web Design, Worst Web Sites |
February 27th, 2011 9:09 pm by Vincent Flanders
Submitter’s comments: This site defines Mystery Meat Navigation. Good luck finding ANYTHING on this one
Vincent Flanders’ comments: Just because you’re a great photographer doesn’t mean you have a license to use Mystery Meat Navigation—or any other stupid technique. Yes, I know you’re an artiste, but c’mon. This is pretentious crap.
Oh, and why is the URL “theosbrinkagency.com?”
Davide Cernuschi
Posted in Daily Sucker, Usability, Web Design, Worst Web Sites |