Have you noticed that there are many web sites that have started using different ways of animating text and images and even including background music that auto loads? If you think that these elements in a web page are cool and an effective way of attracting visitors, think again.
Animations and background music or sounds are not an attractive element in a web site, in fact, it is generally seen as an annoyance. If you’ve ever visited a web site in the middle of the night and then you practically jump out of your skin when loud music suddenly blares out of your computers then you’ll know how annoying it is. There is also the belief that moving ads or animations will entice visitors to stay longer. But the real fact is that visitors are more likely to leave immediately if they see blinking ads. They are also less likely to bookmark the site.
Aside from the annoyance it causes, these animations and audio files contribute to slower load times, which will not be appreciated by visitors who have slow internet connections. Scrolling text is also a move that shows you do not have your visitor in mind. The reason is simple, you’re going to make your visitor jump through hoops just to read the text. They have to wait for the text to start all over again if they miss anything.
Web site design means you should always have the visitor in mind. Giving them a good experience is paramount over a flashy web site.
Originally posted on February 29, 2012 @ 5:10 pm