Let’s start out bluntly: Web stats, good — hit counters, bad. So there. You might have thought it was a great idea, but hit counters are among the things that make you look like an amateur. (Also in this category: anything that looks like a FrontPage template, and clip art….) Why? As a visitor, I [...]

Now you can get expert feedback on your Web site or a portion of a site (such as proposed redesigns). I launched my Rapid Review service because, frankly, I wished someone else was doing it for the sites I’ve designed. Here’s the deal: It’s fast. You’ll get a report back in under three business days. [...]

Long ago, I heard a profound quote about projects, which went something like this: There are three things that matter: quality, speed, and price. You can have any two of the three, but not all three. Which do you want? Quality and speed? OK. It’ll cost more… Quality and a low price? OK — but [...]

…It’s nice to look at on clear nights, but it doesn’t much affect life. Not long ago, co-workers separately came to me, amazed that an online form we posted was getting results. “We used to have to force people to fill out this form,” one gushed. “Already I’ve gotten some back — and we haven’t [...]

Here’s a guideline for people designing a Web site (or anything else for that matter): if you’re looking at the draft design and thinking something’s not right, don’t add anything. Instead, take something away. Too often a decent start is marred by clutter. We should resist the urge to “fix” a design by adding more [...]