And, the Second

Pages. Yes, it is that simple. Horrible website design is amplified when the content and images on multiple pages just doesn't make any sense. When you are designing or a client reviewing your new website it's smart to take a step back and see if the flow of the pages communicates your brand's essence.

Pages are important since they help to create the layout and overall vision of your site. If one page is missing or not linked to the other appropriate pages your viewers may not understand what they are reading and why they are reading it. It really is that simple. Starting with a solid plan will help you build a better site.

A page with ugly website design is bad, but 10 pages with ugly website design is just horrible. Before you begin the design faze a solid structure should be determine that includes the flow of your pages. Trust me, this will help you reach a final product that is well, not ugly.

Well, now its time to get ready for the third and final blog on ugly web design and the letter "p". Don't go crazy! It will be over to you in a just a few short minutes!

Skipping to the "B" Word

Well, I figured I could continue with this rant and jump backwards to the "B" word. I am sure you must be wondering what world I could be ready to discuss, but it is a truly relevant word when it comes to bad or good website design.

Ugly website design is missing this key word and good website design has learned how to use this word to perfection. The word I am talking about is balance. Balance is vital to the success (visually and beyond) to a good website design. The website will need to be function and focus on modern and fresh designs, but the balance is what holds the site together.

Balance can refer to both the layout, the color scheme, and the content. All three of these components must work together to build and aesthetically pleasing creation. If one of these are off-balance it could effect the others and essentially the entire site. Planning for all of these elements is normally best completed by a qualified professional. That leads to the question... if a site is ugly is that an indication it was not designed by a professional?

One can only imagine what letter I will choose to focus on next, but I can guarantee you that it will not start with a "z."

"The D Word"

Alright, are you starting to see a pattern here? Actually, guess I should have started at A, but no... I go ahead and start with F and move from there. Chalk it up to bad planning. Now, that I mention bad planning that is really the first and most foremost reason ugly websites are designed. Design is what the end user see first, but it should actually be one of the last steps when it comes to website planning. If you haven't caught on yet, the "D" stands for design.

Before you begin to design a page you have to create a plan. The most effective plans are a made by planning for both design and content. Once you determine the function, you must plan what content should be added, and then create the design based off that. Get it?!

Sound complicated? It really doesn't have to be. If you follow a step by step process you can easily plan for your website and give the designer a good idea of how to communicate your company's information. Well, I guess you might expect I will move onto a "C" word or even a "B" word next. Stay tuned!

One, Two, Three, Four...

What do we need ugly sites for? Well, we need something to laugh at right?! Some of us watch comedies, other read jokes and we review ugly websites. Don't lie, you know you love it.

After my brief rant about QR codes I decided to delve into the marketing side and figure how they effect brands. Even brand with ugly websites. I have to say that my favorite use by far is on a business card. A quick scan of a business card can load the individuals information straight to your phone. Probably more advanced for those that are still dealing with bad website design.

Here's a question.... did you know that you can even scan a QR code on a computer screen. So you could have the ugliest website in the world with a QR code and someone might still visit you to try the scan. Just something to think about. You have to start making improvements somewhere, right?!

It's time to search for some new ugly sites. If you find one you want to share you know how to reach me. Have a good night all and take time to study proper web design.

Alright, Give Me the Number

No, not your cell phone number. Or the number of cups of coffee you had today. I want the number of ugly sites you see on a regular basis. We all have a number and I know mine is high up there. Then again, I tend to search for these things so how do I rationalize that? This is how... you tell me how many sites you encounter by just simply searching the web and going about your day. Are the sites you visit the most bothering you? Did you stumble upon some horrible design as you shopped for a new plasma TV, car, or washing machine? I need to know!

When you spend most of your time looking for ugly sites they tend just to get worse by the moment. Some of the simple poor design features such as animated GIFs almost seem OK when you compare it to paralyzing flashing colors and poor quality images.

In any case, I am ready to jump into July and find new and horribly designed sites to review. Can I help it that ugly websites are just drawn to me? I think not.

Bad Design vs. Bad Wine

Bad design is like a bad wine. They both can make your cringe. Let's be honest... I am not the first to review ugly sites and I will be far from the last. Like the plague they continue to spread like wild fire across the web and there is really no indication that it will ever stop. Sure, we can hope, but the likely hood of every site being is wonderful is far from a reality.

So, a simple "search" online could populate many options that feature ugly design. Some completed by actual designers to try to prove a point and other published by bored individuals across the world trying to grab people's attention. Are they selling something, saying something, or just added little bits of their daily lives to the web? Who knows and at some point you wonder who cares.

If a site is that hard to shop from can't you simply visit another site that offers clean design and an easy to purchase atmosphere? Sure you can, but them it takes away from some of the fun of exploring this ugly specimens. Well, I guess I just answered one of my questions. I am one of the people that looks at these sites and cares to some extent. Guess I should go find one!

Two Word Combinations

We tend to use many two word combinations in our daily life. Grande latte, tuna sandwich, smart phone... but there are a few words that should stop being combined immediately. These two words are animated gifs. Of course, there many be other noteworthy combinations, but for today we will focus on these gifs that continue to plague the internet and irritate our eyes.

Animated gifs went out of style along with the fanny pack, yet we still keep seeing a reappearance of both. Stop for a moment and think how many times you have seen an animated gif during the hours you spend on the web? Then, stop and think how many of those sites feature other elements of horrible design. One could easily conclude that animated gifs and other horrible design features go hand-in-hand.

And, yes we can expect to see animated gifs lingering out there for years. The moving arrows, borders, rotating discs, and Santa's popping out of chimneys are just a few of the eye soars we are subjected to daily. Before you realize it, you might begin to notice more than ever before. So, next time you see an animated gif brace yourself for the other ugly design features soon to follow.