25. Fancy fonts
“What is with the fancy script font on everything? I can’t read it. It gives me a headache.” Fancy script should be used sparingly because it is so hard to read. In general, we recommend saving more ornate fonts for…
24. Hit counter of sadness
“’63 people have visited this site since September 15, 1998.’ Wow. If you can’t rustle up more interest than that, I very much doubt I’m going to be entertained by anything you’ve written.” Keep the counters behind the scenes. Nothing’s…
23. Pixel font sizes
“Your text is too small for me to read, and you’ve sized it using pixels. I can’t resize it using Internet Explorer, the only browser I’m allowed to use at work.” Prior to version 7, Internet Explorer was afflicted with…
22. Upcoming out of print releases
“‘Upcoming release! Publication is scheduled for June 2001.’ Hang on, that’s already out of print. Are you still alive?” Even if you aren’t actively publishing, keep your site up to date. Blogs are a good way to keep your site…
21. So yesterday
“Your web ring is so 1997. You expect me to believe you can write convincingly about the future?” Web rings have not been cool for ten years or so. Take our word for it. See also: frames, splash introductions, scrolling…
20. Surround sound
“I’m surfing the web, bopping my head to my favorite mp3s. I land on your site. Your Flash intro starts up, interrupting my song with some screechy sound effects while your animation seizes control of my browser window, stretching it…
19. Disagreeing with you makes me evil
“The first thing I read on your home page is your latest blog entry — a screed against people who voted for the other guy. Like me.” Airing your political stance is one thing. Bashing your readers for disagreeing is…
18. Buying used books makes me evil
“I’ve heard your name, but I’m not familiar with your books. A friend has recommended that I check out your work. The first thing I read on your home page is your latest blog entry–a screed against readers who are…
17. My browser is not good enough for you
“‘Your browser does not support frames/JavaScript/Flash.’ Neither do printed books, but you seem to communicate through those just fine.” Believe it or not, a simpler website is more likely to be seen by more people. You really don’t need a…
16. Cookie cutter graphics
“I recognize the Celtic clip art on your site from fifteen other sites I’ve seen. I do not have high hopes for the originality of your writing.” Go easy with the images from Aunt Betty’s Background Emporium. Not only are…
