Personal websites inspiration and notes


Some stuff I like about my own site:

  • Certain pages such as my train icons showcase and twitter embeds bot have modified themes. The twitter embeds bot page also has a border similar to the icon of the bot.
  • The 404 page has some cute witchy artwork

What makes a site memorable:

  • Unique and personal touches
  • Interactivity

Some guidelines for creating sites (not necessarily personal sites): _sorta a modern version of https://github.com/adryd325/ethical-web-design-practices

  • If you must display banners or popups make sure they don’t obstruct content and are easy to dismiss.
    • Popups for a newsletter are annoying, keep them as a banner.
    • Do not force sign-ups or login to view content, if you must prompt logins, use a banner.
    • Cookie popups banners be easy to dismiss or ignore with no slowdowns or additional menus.
    • No, you don’t need a cookie popup on your site.
  • If possible, respect prefers-reduce-motion.
  • Transition animations may look pretty, but often serve to slow things down, keep them quick if you must have them.
  • Do not mess with scrolling smoothness or direction.
  • Do not mess with the users cursor, particularly the motion of the cursor.
    • I do not want a cursor with smoothing. I do not want a dot with that smoothing following my cursor either.
    • If you chose to replace cursors, please replace them with one that has a point at the top left.
  • Do not play sounds or video without the user expecting them or having the chance to disable them.
  • If you choose to use analytics, keep them 1st party if possible.
  • If you choose to use advertising, use unobtrusive ads. Carbon Ads seems to do this alright.
    • Ads should never pretend to be site content.
    • Do not prevent users with ad-blockers from accessing your site.
  • If you choose to use advertising, try to find a privacy respecting provider.
  • Respect Do Not Track.
  • Javascript is fine actually. But try to use it only where needed though; and reduce bundle sizes when possible.