13 Things To Remove From Your Website Immediately

[@ijstanley]

As a developer, it pisses me off when I land on a blog post that doesn't declare when it was written. Tech moves on so quickly that old posts potentially carry stale information that will be detrimental to absorb. I'm more likely to navigate away.

[@abb0tt]

Great point. Engineering based content requires a date, because methods evolve.

[@thespeedytraumahealer]

I have to agree. It annoys the heck out of me when I don't see the date on a post!

[@naturalworldpublishing]

I'm in favour of dates too, especially if you research something, but I get OMS's point, especially if your website has thousands of articles - no date option is for those who don't have resources to keep the content always up to date.

[@BalloonaversalAu]

I actually liked this point for my type of business, the date really isn't important, the content does stay the same (kids parties and entertainment), but, yes for other industries - super important to get the most up to date info

[@Freederick1]

There is always the post date on KZbin that is somewhat helpful. This one was posted 7 months ago

[@thestreamreader]

I leave most sites immediately that remove the date. Can't stand not knowing how relevant the content is to the present or if it was written with the past in mind.

[@EdwinMartin]

Indeed. I sometimes skip it because I think it’s unreliable.

[@bikeybikebike]

Yeah, especially for technical content that changes over time fuck websites without dates. I ain’t got time for reading your ten year old blog post. If you’re posting your grandmas hotpot recipe fine leave the date out.

[@NotoriousNeedle]

My website is about crafting. Embroidery hasn’t changed much in thousands of years, so no dates on my articles

[@JackieDElia]

One option would be to put the published date at the end of the article.

[@JackieDElia]

@BjarneOldrupagreed.

[@seanwashere]

Agree with everything but I very much dislike when blog posts don't have dates. Everything is relative to time, it's easier to understand the content knowing the date it was created. I discount blogs that don't have dates more than ones that do and are just old posts.

[@jonno081]

Same here... In my fields (software dev) things change quickly so dates are quite important... The rest of the tips where really great

[@MissVindicat]

Agreed. Having dates is a service to the readers.

[@strawpiglet]

Yep, my only disagreement, too. I look for the date right away because information changes quickly. If I can't find it I am immediately put off.

[@nickvledder]

True, there must be dates like this: Edit History Jun 2018 - article created Jan 2024 - updated

[@michaelgill7333]

That's the whole point :) avoid the dates, and keep updating that blog post to suit the times and continue getting ranking and traffic from the post ongoing...

[@ahallock]

Disagree about dates and generic navigation labels. Familiar labels like Products, Documentation, Use Cases, Pricing help me navigate quickly to the area I'm interested in. And I hate blogs that don't include dates, especially for technical information.

[@PazLeBon]

and testimonials works great in some niches

[@brunodosreis]

His complaint about generic labels is too generic 😂

[@serinadelmar6012]

@@brunodosreis😂

[@PM2022]

He is not at all dependable as a webpage advisor.

[@aqil199]

1. Vague hompage headline - Do 5 second test to analyze the homepage 2. Gemeric navigation label - Navigation must be helpful, specific - Use GA4 : Path Exploration, to know how user navigate 3. Meaningless subheading 4. Homepage Slideshow 5. Stock photo of people 6. Social media icon on header 7. Dates on blog 8. long paragraph 9. Press release 10. PDF File 11. testimonial page 12. Email link 13. Dead end thank you page

[@stuart6478]

In the description

[@RyanLeeCreative]

Thanks for posting@@stuart6478

[@aqil199]

I'm quite sure that There was no detail in the description when i wrote this, i wrote this for my self...., and i believe that it is the first comment on the video...,

[@kikijewell2967]

​@@aqil199thank you. Public service.

[@sbuceeh]

Thank you for this!

[@chrisguli2865]

Great tips thanks! I would have one exception to the no PDF rule - for online training or courses, PDFs are very helpful, for material you can print and take offline with you. I am taking an online course right now and am printing all the PDFs as I progress through the site. I will print these out so I can study them offline, such as when I am on the subway. They are also useful for hand printed notes when they are printed. They are great for printing "cheat sheets" for when you are offline or don't want to look at a tiny screen. Also some people feel more secure with a PDF form to print, fill out and snail mail in, versus an online form, especially these days with all of the spoofed websites out there. Otherwise, yes, PDFs would be "rust" compared to HTML.

[@357molotov]

I read lots of blog articles that have to do with coding and technology. Dates are EXTREMELY relevant in these areas and often will not consider spending my time on something if I'm not sure it's up to date content. In many cases, I can understand dates not being of importance, but in many cases, they're necessary. Other than that, great content, thank you.

[@derwaldbaer5707]

I disagree on the blog post dates. Content is rarely truly evergreen, and as a reader I want to know whether an opinion was a qualified opinion in 2013 or 2023.

[@VirtualTourPhotographer]

Nice! The big one for me (and my clients) is to avoid stock photos. Hire a photographer and have them build an internal stock library.

[@QuantumKurator]

I don't agree with removing dates on blog posts. If it is a technical blog and content is over a year old I generally won't read it. And if there are no dates, I assume it is old and wont read it.

[@700inotes]

You're absolutely right.

[@qwertiepie]

Same here, I look for current, in fact I add the year in my search

[@P-Funk69]

I’m like that too

[@No0utlet]

Absolutely correct. Around 2017 I hated finding Medium articles in my technical search results page because they never had dates so you couldn't rely on the fact that they were talking about the same version of software that you're using. Technical articles are not evergreen content.

[@holleey]

well, by your own logic tech blogs SHOULD remove dates for posts that are 1+ years old... because then at least there's a chance the user might stay. but I agree; no date = really bad UX in cases where users specifically are looking for one.

[@LambrosHatzinikolaou]

Thanks for the post. I agree with everything you say except for the 7nth point. Dates on blogs. As a consumer of blog posts, I have to choose what to read and what to ignore from a SERP, with posts with no date falling into the latter category. I prefer fresh content to old one and when I'm not sure it is fresh I just ignore it. It’s difficult to hide the date of the content, anyway. One can check the comments or the source code to find out. If the content is old, an update would remedy it. So in this case, the blogger can show the update date instead of the publication date.

[@PatrickGoddard]

I was thinking that same thing. As a consumer researching for a product, as an example, say "best space heaters", I want reviews that are the most recent, not information that is out of date. I find more value with articles that have been update recently and is stated ("Updated Jan 2024"), then either old articles or articles with no context to date.

[@GregoryMatous]

Yes, a last updated date is a great idea! Shows you are keeping the content current.

[@beckypetersen2680]

I write a blog which is more like a real blog - daily activity journal - quilting, and the date is vital to me. I understand that old looks bad, but when looking at other people's blogs or even videos, I often check the dates to know how prices might have changed, etc. I personally want the date on there. But I get it if the content is just generic advice or a rant about 10 things I hate, or whatever...then the date is irrelevant as it is just general advice and not as time relevant. As a quilter, I don't mind reading an older blog if it has the content I am looking for.

[@PazLeBon]

yet the date doesnt actually change whether the data is accurate or indeed the best answer ever

[@benhetland576]

@@PazLeBon I disagree; the date matters a lot when considering the accuracy of a lot of information (though not everything). Consider an article describing RAM technology and gives guidelines for what to use in various use cases. A year later the picture might have changed drastically. I may still consider an old article "accurate" for its date of publication when I know it, and I might be able to adjust for the changes myself. But when there's no date, then I don't really know if it was written yesterday by someone who just lagged about 15 years in their knowledge on the topic. Or I wouldn't even recognize that if it was a topic I was very unfamiliar with, which certainly could be one reason to read it in the first place.

[@danacree198]

As a marketer for over 50 years, you are on the money with your observations. We live in a fluid environment that requires us to reconsider everything we have learned. Every single item makes perfect sense. As for dating posts, I know you are right, but I still like to see the information's "fresh date."

[@juliaevans9521]

Really think you point about Thank you pages is spot on. What a missed opportunity to engage with the viewer who has just interacted with you !

[@chriscarr1002]

1. Copy Link 2. Send to my web development team. 3. Ask them to stop what they are doing. 4. Nag them until these are complete. 5. Add these to our future SOPs. 6. Add this to what I talk about when I am on podcasts and give you zero credit. Just kidding. Another amazing video. Great job.

[@jextreme4909]

Must be a manager...

[@lysafulbright564]

"Candy-colored exit signs"! : ) Great tips!

[@RealDevastatia]

All of the candy-colored buttons at the top of my site provide quick access to features of... my website!

[@CompletedReview]

Andy, I sat in your talk in ~2014 in SMMW in SD. I still use bits I learned from your talk that day. And it's helped me move up quickly in my marketing roles since then. Love your straight talk. Glad to find you on YT!

[@kidmosey]

don't mention the date

[@corinnecowper1339]

Just had a 'social media expert' update our website. You have highlighted what is glaringly wrong with our new site. Great advice here. The 'expert' is going to get the boot and I will do it myself.

[@stephensandor6503]

So many great points. My favourite is putting descriptors in the navigation tabs. It’s got me thinking totally differently. Super helpful. PS I prefer forms and the fact that it takes a little more effort to fill out is a nice filtering process. If they can’t be bothered filling out a form they are probably not that interested

[@wheels4515]

Good list, just stumbled over your video/channel. As a web designer who's been around for 20+ years your points are spot on. I had to ban the word 'solutions' in my last workplace - unless you work in a chemical laboratory or you're a mathematician, you don't need to use it. Sales people shouldn't use it either!

[@PazLeBon]

yet the whole features and benefits, problem and solutions is exactly what 99% are selling so ofcourse it should be used in many ways

[@ikantdanz]

Very helpful, thank you. I was really hoping you would include those gigantic headers so many sites use these days. I hate those. If I have to scroll to see the first word on the website, I’m never going to see the first word on the website, because I’m already gone.

[@purplerabbit2229]

I am designing a website for a client and when I came across this video "glory be to the algorithm"...lol I implemented all steps and the website was received so well when from the client. Thank you for sharing this content. Heading to your website now

[@NoRosesJewelry]

pearls of wisdom for those of us who are NOT user experience experts! thank you, sir. 😊👍

[@chrisguli2865]

I agree 300% about the social media buttons - social media is nothing but a distraction - shouldn't be on the home page at all maybe just at the bottom of a "contact us" page (with dull monochrome buttons) with the contact form prominently above the fold so to speak. The general flow of a website should be like a highway, get on fast, but stay on for a long time, and only exit off the highway after they saw all the sites. Maybe stop at a rest stop for some refreshments before exiting....cha-ching!

[@PaleSaturn]

This video is exactly what I want to see more of on KZbin. Perfectly executed.

[@se1501]

I'm rarely impressed by so-called "experts" touting their knowledge that blows people's minds with information that equates to common sense. But this is thoughtful, interesting, and supported by data. Good job and thanks.

[@HiProfileAI]

Great video. After 15 years of web design and development I see this video as a refresher. Good job. Thanks

[@MichaelGuy]

most designers do not know about seo other than what they read about on the interweb

[@0rbium]

Great point about press releases: always write as articles in the style of the publication, editor and columnists you're targeting. I've had columnists go to print with my releases without changing a word. They get the byline, I get the crowds at my events.

[@MichaelGuy]

press releases are junk and a severe penalty - dup content

[@MySpam-v1t]

10:20 with an email you can send any file format you would like. With a contact form you cant. Of course can a contact form increase spam too if you dont "make it safe" with a captcha. The idea with the "thank you page" is great! Thanks for reminding me on point 8 :) - I will rewrite or redesign my text soon.

[@brucewilliamsstudio4932]

Thanks Andy, this is essential "must have" information and likely takes years to learn on your own. Thanks for the leg up.

[@lewisticknor]

There is a lot of info out there. Thanks for taking the time to do this, you fundamentally helped me.

[@IainMacGillivray]

Excellent info, I was ready to think - yes this will be a load, but it is all really spot-on, plenty of good actionable content, cheers!

[@AxtonPark]

I USED to be proud of my colorful little social links.😢 Seriously, great advice on all fronts Andy! I'm applying them all! Liked, subscribed, and hit that bell! 👍🏽

[@JJLCFC]

Really solid advice, makes so much sense, and hard to argue against any of your recommendations.

[@crystaldittrich-vb3ss]

Thank you so VERY VERY much for this video! I have been trying to build a website for my husband (he is a carpenter and just starting out on his own) He doesnt really think its very important to have a website (which is incorrect) and he doesnt think it should be taking so long for me to complete, especially and with all of these no code tools around now, he thinks it should be easy quick thing to throw something together. But what I have been trying to get through to him is that I want the website to actually help him get more customers-and some small business websites are just not good and when the website is bad , I feel it turns potential customers off and actually costs you business instead of helping you grow. This video gives me the information I have been trying to find in a very straightforward and easy to follow format. Again, THANK YOU!

[@ottebya]

this may be one of if not the best list of website optimizations Ive seen, SO many of these feel so obvious but noone ever frames them this way

[@simonanne_com]

Great points! I've been in this field for almost 25 years and it keeps amazing me that the majority of website owners are still doing this.. Also great, because it's so easy to fix this and provide them with some amazing results 👌

[@writerlywitterings]

Thanks so much for this. I'm an author, looking to update my old website, and this has given me more information than all the other sites I've looked at. A brilliant summary.

[@karencwilsonmarketing]

I just completed a content audit for myself. I went back through content that goes back over 8 years and I'm glad I include dates because it reflects that my own thinking has evolved in that time. Even though my content is all evergreen in my business, the current content is still my most up-to-date ideas.

[@ThomasKnip]

Very solid advice overall! That last one for the "Thank You" page, nice!

[@DonnaPatterson-fy5tz]

Accidentally found a very Informative site. Yours. I've been confused about how to set up a new website. Now I know. Thanks a million. And I subscribed.

[@tjsayers5428]

“Go away.” Love it! I need to improve my sites’ thank you pages. Appreciate the great list and you taking the time to make this video.

[@RobertPlank]

Wow, this video was super helpful! I didn’t realize how much a vague homepage headline could confuse visitors. It makes total sense that we need to be clear and direct to show what we do right away. The part about generic navigation labels really opened my eyes too-using specific words can guide people much better. I never thought about how stock photos might seem fake and turn people away; showing real people makes a big difference in connecting with visitors. And I loved the point about contact forms being better than email links-so true! Overall, this made me rethink how to make websites more friendly and useful. Thanks for sharing!

[@morningglorify]

Amazing insights. I am a solopreneur, so pleased I discovered you! Thank you!

[@milanstoyakov]

love this!! Especially about dates on the blog posts, I was always wondering about that.

[@diffindpuzzles]

Very insightful, professional, smart, and challenging the traditional web development that doesn't make sense today. Well done!

[@WooShell]

As a customer, I absolutely hate it when websites force you to use a contact form instead of just giving you an email link to click on. Please take that recommendation off your list, or at least follow it up with a guide on how to build good contact forms, don't use prebuilt solutions from whatever CMS you're using. Avoid character counters, especially such tight limits like 500 characters that many prebuilts use. Consider the most common inquiries you get and verify how many attachments are commonly required for the customer to get their request across. If you absolutely must use a file type filter (hint: you don't, ever. if you're worried about viruses, scan every incoming file.), ask your presales engineers etc what they use. I've had so many cases where I needed product detail infos from a company and had to put a "please follow up via email" into a contact form because the damn form wouldn't allow me to e.g. attach a CAD file to request a quote for manufacturing. This just adds unnecessary steps and might lead to customers picking other suppliers that have less restrictive contact forms or offer plain email links.

[@tklyte]

I'm just about to start building my website and now I know what not to do. Thanks so much for this content. I feel empowered !!!

[@bradburyrobinson]

The first video I've seen of yours and it's some solid tips. I passed about a third, failed a third and a third weren't relevant to my own site.

[@Art0691p]

Good points on the whole. Disagree about dates (much prefer to know the article age) and also contact forms vs emails. The problem with a contact form is if someone makes a typo in their contact details, eg email address field, then you have no way of getting back in touch. If they send you an email this is not an issue.

[@gellirollz]

Very well done, said and in detail with examples. This was not a rant, this was informative content we need.. Thank you new sub!

[@gsmith6733]

Really appreciate this helpful information from a professional. Thank you!

[@FrankyDeMeyer]

Amazing tips! Also very confronting 😅 I’m off to make some changes now …

[@simonmcox]

Love the CTA on the Thank you page. When you get to the thank you page, then sign up for the news letter - is there another dead end page after signing up for the newsletter or another CTA? Is this potentially endless?

[@KevinDaydotCo]

Excellent content. Quick, every moment held my attention, and you taught an old dog a few new tricks. Thanks!

[@passiveincomepathways]

In agreement with everything you said!! Been blogging for nearly 20 years and these are all spot on.

[@drdehailey]

Researched and taught this stuff from all the way back to the days of Mosaic. Very well done and 100% true.

[@vegangirll]

This is super helpful. Just started writing a blog and didn't think about inserting images or adding links. Thanks.

[@kammistry]

Great video with equally great delivery! 😊

[@juliaevans9521]

I found your video very thought provoking so I will need to have another listen or two to see which points I need to take on board (if they relate to my website). Thanks for sharing this video. Julia

[@larryfarr]

Thank you very much for an informative, well-produced, thoughtful video that was enjoyable to watch. Your presentation style is spot on. Much appreciated.

[@NancyMyrland]

Andy, as always, this is brilliant!

[@CitizenKate]

Good talk. Glad to know my sites would rank high on your scale when it comes to effective content. You did mention there are exceptions, and I know a few, but still, useful content!

[@gretamerican]

Thank you for supplying valuable and insightful information.

[@michaeldmarkham]

Thanks! This is an awesome checklist. 🙌🏾

[@web-projektmanager]

Exactly what I've been preaching and implementing for years. You could break this down into target groups and mobile views, but in general all the points apply.

[@philsprofitpoints]

Great info, Andy! I’m updating my website and your points are very valuable. Thanks.

[@ajrosales047]

Good point with social media icons. Thank you!

[@Nolan-j5r]

Awesome! Highly informative. Thank you.

[@MarilynHarding]

Thank you! This is super helpful. I just redesigned our whole website. Some of these suggestions I knew and already implemented and now I’m going back to fix the rest!

[@GnuLegax]

Wow, this is a super post.. I loved it, thanks! ❤ New SUB!

[@sztupkaylevente]

Great list with actual value. Thank you.

[@ShelleySimpsonagent99]

Just building my site. This was excellent and easy to understand from a newbie point of view. I'll watch for more of your videos.

[@DanielbenYishai]

One thing I find missing often is the LOCATION. When I click on a link to a news story and am taken to a website for Radio Station ____ or TV Station ____ the starting letter of K or W might tell me which side of the Mississippi the station is on, but I would really like to know what City and State they are in. Likewise when I get sent to a Newspaper website. Knowing that I'm on the Springfield Register Newspaper site is a start, but there is a "Springfield" in several different states. I've even found myself on a random page for ethnic restaurants where they don't give an indication of where they are located. Unless your page is a generic blog, we the readers want to know something about the location.

[@jvcouk]

Tech writer here. You home in on a lot of skills that are rare outside tech writing, where the aim of online content is to convey relevant info quickly and clearly, and make it discoverable. Most corporate sales sites are so vague and indirect that I can't work out what they do, how they can really help, or how they charge for services. They seem to want to comply with "This is what corporate success looks like". I have to wonder who their customer is: new clients, or investors?

[@deerhaven3350]

I'm so happy and relieved to see that the new website I created about a month ago for my small business follows all of these guidelines. Thank you!

[@simonkensington-fellows6142]

Came thinking I was going to hate the list, left totally agreeing with all your points and now sharing with my team along with a ‘I told you so’ message!

[@CollectiblesAndMoreInStore]

Loved how you approached SEO differently in your video. The only thing that I don't agree with is omitting date on blog posts because, as of April 2024, Google says: "If you don't display a date, Google will use the only date it knows: the date they indexed it. Even though you're hoping your content will appear more relevant without a date displayed, it won't show up in filtered searches unless you have an actual updated date attached." What I do is just periodically review my older articles to be sure they are up-to-date and still relevant then make one change so that a current date is posted.

[@DrunkenUFOPilot]

For immediate release - as opposed to what? As opposed to embargoed until some stated time and day. This is common with newsmakers to coordinate release of images, website updates, social media posts, and media stories. The press release is put out early so news organizations have time to write, fact-check, proofread and get it ready to unleash. Not having a release date or "For immediate release" leaves the intended purpose of the press release ambiguous.

[@bobbiejohnson1562]

Thank you for this quick overview. Short & to the point. I do agree with others about blog dates, but I do understand wanting our blogs to be "Evergreen". One could put an "updated" date in the blog.

[@estilogram]

This was very useful. Thank you for a great video!

[@reneewright2954]

Excellent and passionate information. Thank you.

[@AdamClarkx1]

Great video. Love all of these. Going to go work on my website!

[@gordongoodfellow826]

Strongly agree about PDFs and email links.

[@BrettGilmour]

Fantastic video. That was a ton of actionable info. Thank you.

[@kentswan3230]

This video is a short and elegantly pithy summary of the modern consequences and reasons I first read about in the "Don't Make Me Think" and "Don't Make Me Think, Revisited" books on user interface design by Steve Krug. I am a multi-disciplinary product designer (blending hardware, electronics, application and embedded software, user Interfaces and API's, and manufacturing transfer into usable Products). Krug's books are some that I go back to often for guidance for usability testing of my user interface designs. I'm adding yours to this now. .Thanks!!!!

[@creavistastudio]

Valuable tips. Great tactics to keep in mind. Thank you for sharing.

[@kyram123]

I love how straightforward you are… I’ve got some work to do 😅

[@KudaFamily]

This is great content. Probably my favorite Kevin Spacey video since The Usual Suspects. Thanks!

[@BradGardner]

Now I can’t unsee this. Here’s your thumbs up

[@tinkabreytenbach-sima8218]

❤You're 'mini-rant' is very helpful. Thank you🎖️

[@luckwithchuck]

Excellent advice! this was very helpful!

[@aicendio]

Almost didn’t click on this video! So glad I did. 💯 agree w EVERYTHING

[@borismedved3105]

Sir! Great job! Best Web Design Optimization video I've seen so far. Everything relevant is well explained in short time! THANK YOU!

[@MIMMarketing]

As an agency owner I agree with all your tips. I only have 1 thing to adjust. Navigation descriptors. ❤😮thx!

[@RealDevastatia]

If you're using buttons or icons for navigation, make sure each element has a title attribute that explains what that button does when the user hovers over it. I've been on sites - and even desktop applications - that had a bunch of tiny buttons, and I had no clue what they were for. I generally don't stick around if I can't figure out how to use the darned thing within a minute or so.

[@BoredToDeafRecords]

As an "agency owner" are you paying attention to the number of people who aren't blindly agreeing with everything presented here? Might want to consider that.

[@katiemcgregor-blazewebdesign]

Great list. The one things I would disagree with is PDFs - yes if they are a lazy form of putting content on a website (oh let's just upload a PDF of our company brochure) BUT if they are a handy summary of key points from a page for someone to download and keep - especially if that PDF is branded and has clickable links back to your website and to other related articles. I am sure we all devour a lot of information online and often cannot remember where we saw something useful. Yes I use bookmarks and copy links into my notes, but a PDF in a folder on your desktop is also very useful for the type of person who organises in that way. 🙂

[@kristimarx1736]

This was awesome content. I'm a shoestring budget newbie and this was very helpful. Thank you!

[@elberthardy961]

Now that's the Education we need most! Great job!

[@wormholeinteractive]

Lots of value in this video! Gained a new follower 🙂

[@pelioscoaching2803]

I’m only halfway through and this is already the most useful, informative video about websites. Thank you for sharing!!

[@fourseasonsgirl]

Thanks... just what I needed to know... updating, transitioning to course creating, and like the blog you pointed out, I'm "old, but good". I subscribed and with the advice in this video alone, I can make a lot of quick and good changes!

[@JeffWhiteMedia]

Excellent advice, Andy! Thank you!