I couldn't find a relevant list of interactive faux pas, so I made one this morning. Here are a list of things that drive me crazy about Websites:
Coming Soon/Under Construction: Don't reference any content that isn't available. It's frustrating. I'm not going to check your site regularly. If I'm interested in what's "coming soon," I'll sign up for email communications (provided you make it easy). Tell me about what's "coming soon" in the email that I requested, and that I opted in for.
Flash Intros: If a Website has a Flash intro, and that Flash intro has a 'skip intro' button, then that intro should never be there in the first place. Read this article by Blahgeetsa; I've found no better commentary on this issue.
Intro/Welcome Ads: Don't make me look at an ad before I visit your site. It's annoying, and by the time I've moved my mouse and clicked on the "skip ad" text, I've forgotten what I came to your site for in the first place. Internet advertising should be treated like a conversation: If I walk up to someone on the street and say, "Hi, my name is John, nice to meet you," they probably won't respond with "Talk to the hand, cause the face don't understand." But that's essentially what welcome ads do. The face -- the brand -- does not understand.
Multiple Log-In(s): I have to maintain three separate profiles for my bank. One is for general banking, another for the loyalty program, and another for investments. There's no need for this. I understand that there are major challenges from a back-end process and system perspective, but why should I stick with one bank if it gives me the same experience working with multiple banks?
Buried Contact Information: It shouldn't take more than one click to find an easy way to contact a person or get a phone number. Need I say more.
Training/Walk-through Manuals: If your online application needs a separate help section, then something is wrong with the design. Please have the courtesy to band-aid your poorly designed application with some in-context help.
Video Commercial Intros: I have limited time at work to myself to read the news, check the sports scores and watch video clips. When I do, I don't want to see a 30-second intro clip. It may help your SEM guy meet his 'CPI' numbers, but the impression is not good. In fact, I'm more likely to think of your brand in a negative way. Just like with the intro ad, by the time it loads, I've forgotten about what news clip I'm watching.
If you want to advertise in video, use a product like videoclix.tv. If I'm interested in the product, I'll open a new tab in the video window or dig deeper.
