A feature to avoid is the use of stock photos. Web users have wised up to their use and realise that the person in the picture may not be a member of staff. Always opt for your own professional photos.

Flash intros are also proving less than popular these days, almost certainly due to the fact that websites are increasingly viewed on mobile devices, and many of these do not support Flash. Google does not like flash intros either, so they can therefore affect search engine optimisation.

While videos are excellent content for websites, videos that automatically play as soon as a visitor enters a site are a big turn-off. Evoking a similar response to pop-ups, websites should give the visitor the option of watching a video.

Banners are also considered old hat these days. Many website visitors find them overbearing and using space that could be better utilised for more important content. This content should however, not be overly wordy text. Text should be concise, utilising bullet points to encourage reading.

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