Another interesting article has surfaced on users' prime beefs with Websites. This one comes from InfoWorld and carries the apt title "What users hate most about Web sites".

The findings are nothing new. Animated Flash intros, intrusive banner ads, and complicated menu navigation schemes have continually been the bain of users for years. But the true value of circulating such seemingly rehashed information comes in both reinforcement of its principles and the variety of sources in which it emanates.

Reinforcement is crucial. If we see something once, we may say to ourselves "that's interesting" before promptly dumping it somewhere it that back of our minds. But the more we are exposed to it, the more likely we are to take it seriously. And the more we take it seriously, the more likely we are to alter how we create Websites. For every study touting the importance of good usability, there are 10,000 Websites that provide great examples of what not to do. That means alot of voices influencing green designers and less savvy clients to venture to the darkside. And with all their gawdy Flash animations, big bold text, and seizure-inducing banner ads, these voices are shouting at full volume.

Variety is equally important for related reasons as we tend to put more stock in information that comes from multiple sources. When we attempt to explain to a client the reasons for and against doing certain things to their site, the natural reacton sometimes is "sure, but why do I see this all over the Web? It can't be all bad, maybe you kids just don't know what you are talking about." However, if you can put articles and studies from five respective publications in the front of them, the more likely they are to listen. And the more likely they are to listen, the better their Website, and ultimately the Web in general, can become.