11. Slow downloads
In-depth usability studies have shown that web users will only wait a maximum of 8.6 seconds for a page to download. Any time beyond that, they will probably move away and visit one of your competitors.
There are different ways you can speed up your download time. You can, for instance,
• Use CSS (Cascading Style Sheets) instead of tables to lay out your web page
• Don’t use images to display text
• Call up decorative images through CSS
• Use contextual selectors
• Minimize white space, line returns and comment tags

Conclusion: To optimize usability, make sure your website downloads quickly, as well as photos, movies and other features

12. Creating Multiple Browser Windows
In web design, the age-old rule “the simpler, the better” applies. Don’t pollute your screen with more windows than absolutely necessary. In fact, if you can avoid new browser windows all together, you will be doing yourself a favour. Viewers feel threatened when suddenly windows pop up. It gives them the illusion that they lost control over their computer.

Pop-up windows may also block important information for those users with small monitors. Instead of peaking their interest, you are only making them mad.

Conclusion: Links that don’t behave as expected will undermine your users’ understanding of their own system. Too many pop-ups will aggravate them and you may lose their interest, or worse, their business.

13. Ask For Membership
Never require your users to register unless it is absolutely necessary. They want data, products and services and if you are not willing to give it freely, they will go elsewhere. Consumers do not want to give up their private information for no good reason. With the prevalence of spam today, would you?

Conclusion: Unless you operate an exclusive website, do not request your audience to hand over their private information. It will backfire!

14. Forgetting contact information
Successful businesses and organizations offer a number of ways they can be contacted. The information will be easy to locate on the “contact us” page, and may include:
• Relevant email addresses
• A street address
• Phone numbers
• Fax numbers

Including this data on your website offers your audience a possibility to contact you in case they have questions, or there is a problem.

Conclusion: Users will believe you have something to hide by not revealing your location. They will not trust you or your products if they are unable to get a hold of you. Aside from your contact information, you should also list return policy and shipping information. Cultivate an appearance of permanence and legitimacy.

15. Ignoring User Requests
Web users are extremely goal-driven. They browse the Internet because they want to accomplish something; they may want to gather information, or buy a product.

Regardless if you are a small-town florist, manage a charity organization, or you run one of the most accomplished and detail-oriented websites in the world, people will always have questions for you. Either they missed the information on the website, or they have an unusual request. Some may simply be testing your responsiveness before committing to a purchase.

Whatever the reason may be that someone sends you an email, a fax, or calls your office, do not ignore them. They are obviously interested in something you have to offer, and by disregarding them you may actually lose a sale, or a fervent fan. Remember, the best advertising is still “word of mouth!”

Conclusion: If you are posting contact information on your website, you are telling your audience that you are committed, and that you are available to respond to their queries. Do not disappoint them!

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