12 most certain ways you will turn off a website visitor

Websites are the foundation of a good marketing platform, and I spend hours discussing and contemplating them.

Too often, we become enamored of what is possible and lose sight of what is important. There are so many shiny gimmicks we could employ that it is essential we stop and focus, lest our website become overloaded with unnecessary and downright distracting elements.

Here are 12 things you should never have if you want your new website visitor to stay on your site for more than a few seconds:

1. Mandatory email sign up to view your site

This is like requiring people to sign into a brick-and-mortar store with their contact information. No one would shop there. Follow the lead of Apple Stores: Make it easy and comfortable, and not only will they stay, they’ll return.

2. Forced video

This is so obvious it almost makes my head explode. Picture yourself sitting in your office waiting for an important client and sneaking a browse online, all the while looking “busy.” Bam! Someone’s voice is suddenly filling your office, blowing your cover.

3. Forced music