Just because something can be done, does not mean it should be shovelled into a web site. Keep your site simple, gimmick free and it will always be viewable and usable by the widest cross section of viewers.

1. Flash Pages Pointless opening pages (aka splash screens) which feature some complex flash animation are guaranteed to alienate your viewers. If your designer suggests anything with a "skip this flash" option, you do not need it. Dump it.

2. Gimmicks Every week sees new gimmicks, trick effects and new technology. Many of these "features" are not universally displayable on all browsers. What works on Netscape, may not work on Explorer or Web TV, or AOL, or in Opera. If it doesn't work on all browsers, do not use it.

3. Excessive Download Times: You only have about ten seconds to capture or lose your viewer.

4. Poor Navigational Support: Make it easy for people to find the information on all your pages. Include an on site search engine, table of contents or site map and good navigation bars or aids.

5. Broken Links: Check your site for broken links weekly. If you need help Kirwood offers a service to automatically check your web site and report all broken links on a regular basis.

6. Non Standard Link Colours: Links to pages that have not been seen by the user are blue; links to previously seen pages are purple or red. You need a very good reason to change these basics. Compare changing them to your local traffic department having different and random colours on road signs or traffic signals.

7. Outdated Information: Review your site no less then weekly for outdated information and either update it or dump it. If in doubt, dump it. Bad information will undermine the credibility of your entire site.

8. Frames: Frames are a no no. People cannot bookmark frames. They are difficult to exit. They get in the way. Do not use frames. Use properly organized navigation aids in place of frames.

9. Pop Ups Anything that pops up is a nuisance. If it is important, put it where it belongs, right on your web page.

10. Animation: Animation can be extremely annoying. If you must use it, use it sparingly. Have your animation cease after two or three cycles. Just as bad is blinking and scrolling text. Avoid marquees in the bar at the bottom of browsers as well. They do nothing.

11. Sound: You have probably heard that some cities are playing classical music in parks to drive away teen age gangs. Inappropriate or unwanted music on your web site has the same effect. Forcing your choice of music on some innocent viewer is nothing short of idiotic. Why would you blast sounds at someone who may be in an open office, on the phone, surfing late at night or in a library? What sheer stupidity makes someone impose their "taste" in music on a stranger? If people want music, they will choose their own. Do NOT use sound on web sites unless you want to alienate most of your viewers.

12. Orphan Pages: Make certain all your pages are clearly identified as being part of your site. Include a link to your home page, email contact and a basic navigation bar on every page.

13. Long Scrolling Pages: If the page is more then two or three screens long, it is too long. Break it up.

14. Broken Links: Check your site for broken or moved links regularly. Repair or remove them.

15. Spelling & Grammar: Double check your spelling and grammar. Mistakes prove you are an amateur and make your site and company look ignorant. Do not rely on your spell checker.

16. Removing or restricting the users' controls Mis-using JavaScript or other features to eliminate toolbars, back and forward buttons and various other features is both inconsiderate and rude. Never force your gimmicks on your visitors, particularly when your preferences override the user's chosen settings.

17. Disabling Right Click How dare you interfere with your viewer's operation of his/her system? You cannot prevent anyone from viewing your source code which is the usual reason for disabling right clicks. There is absolutely nothing secret about html or any other code used on a web site, so stop trying to hide it.

18. Animated cursors While bats or butterflies chasing cursors are cute once or twice, forget it. They quickly become annoying and get in the way of your content.