Sometimes, the most important thing on any web page is what isn’t there. The range of information that most pages need is so broad that it can be tempting to try to cram a lot into every nook and cranny of the screen. Graphics, text, video and links all need to be incorporated into many pages and it can be really tough to curate what needs to stay on the page. But, especially with the current less-is-more trend in web design, keeping your design strictly to what’s needed and what benefits the site most is critical to creating pages that are easy and intuitive to use. Here are five items you should seriously consider saying goodbye to right now.
Tag Clouds
You don’t need them. That paragraph-sized block on the side of the screen takes up much-needed space. Few users are going to click through each item on the tag cloud. Variable font sizes on tag clouds are an especially annoying visual distraction. So, leave the tags for the end of each blog post, and take them off the sidebar. Web is Love’s archive feature is a nice way of categorizing entries without the clutter of a tag cloud.
Auto-Play Videos
This will turn off a lot of users. Whether they’re browsing on the sly on their lunch hour or at home trying not disturb anyone, videos that play right away are frustrating, especially if they have sound.
It’s great to have video on your site, but make sure users have the ability to play or pause. It’s also important that any controls for the video are easy to see and use. Note that YouTube embeds don’t auto-play automatically.
Generic Content
Just because you can, doesn’t mean you should. Not every page needs the entire A to Z of webpage elements. For example, you don’t need to put a map of your location on the homepage if the business mainly sells its wares online. Similarly, you don’t have to put video or large images on every page of a website.
The iCloud site’s homepage only asks for a username and password, so users can get straight to their individual account.
Pointless Photography
Images are crucial to great web design, no question. But that’s only true if each image is there for a reason. There are the given photo and graphic issues—such as making sure the image resolution and photo editing are great on any image you use—but the images also have to serve your brand and the attitude you want the website to have. It’s better to have one medium-sized picture that shows clearly what the site is about than a huge one or several that don’t say anything. The same goes for graphics. Try to find a happy medium. Baroness’ logo makes a bold statement without overwhelming the page.
Outdated Information
Anything relating to a past offering or event needs to be taken down immediately as soon as the event, sale or campaign is over. Leaving it up on the page not only looks sloppy, it suggests that the business isn’t professional enough to maintain their site properly. Think about archiving those things to a “past events†page.
Ask The Right Questions
These are just a few of the things you can take off your next design. If you aren’t sure if something belongs, ask yourself what purpose it serves. Does it aid user navigation or comprehension of the site? If not, it probably shouldn’t be there.
Header image created using Web Wireframes – User Flow
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