Stop Worrying About These Website ‘Rules’ (They Don’t Matter)

The web design world is full of supposed "rules" that many businesses follow religiously. But here's the truth: some of these long-held beliefs are outdated, while others were never valid to begin with. Let's break down which website "rules" you can finally stop worrying about, freeing you to focus on what actually drives results.

"Everything Important Must Be Above the Fold"

The concept of "the fold" (the portion of a webpage visible without scrolling) comes from newspaper design. For years, web designers insisted that all crucial elements had to appear above this imaginary line or visitors would never see them.

Here's why this rule is outdated:

• Modern users are comfortable scrolling—in fact, they expect to scroll
• The "fold" is different on every device, making it impossible to design for
• Cramming too much above the fold creates visual clutter that can drive visitors away

What matters instead: Create a compelling first screen that encourages further exploration. Use visual cues that indicate more content awaits below, and ensure your most important message (not necessarily every important element) is visible immediately.

"Never Use Pop-ups—People Hate Them"

Pop-ups have a bad reputation, and poorly implemented ones deserve it. But the blanket rule against using them ignores compelling data about their effectiveness when used thoughtfully.

The truth about pop-ups:

• Timed pop-ups (appearing after a visitor has engaged with content) can convert at 10%+
• Exit-intent pop-ups can recover otherwise lost visitors
• Targeted pop-ups based on visitor behavior can feel helpful rather than intrusive

What matters instead: Design pop-ups that add value rather than interrupt. Make them easy to dismiss, visually integrated with your site, and triggered by appropriate user behavior rather than appearing instantly on arrival.

"Your Logo Must Link to Your Homepage"

This is less a rule to ignore and more one to stop obsessing about. Yes, many users expect logos to link to homepages, but if yours doesn't, it won't significantly impact your site's success.

Other navigation "rules" you can relax about:

• Navigation must be at the top of the page (side navigation works well for some sites)
• You need a hamburger menu on mobile (text links can perform better)
• Contact info must be in the top right (test what works for your audience)

What matters instead: Consistent navigation patterns within your own site matter far more than following arbitrary standards. Whatever system you choose, apply it consistently so users can learn your interface quickly.

"Calls to Action Must Be Buttons (and Probably Orange)"

The idea that calls to action must be button-shaped, brightly colored, and using specific text has become almost dogmatic in some design circles. While these elements can work well, they're not universal requirements.

More nuanced thinking about CTAs:

• Text links can outperform buttons for certain audiences and contexts
• The "best converting color" varies widely by brand, audience, and site design
• Generic text like "Submit" or "Click Here" is indeed weak, but CTAs don't need to be commanding to be effective

What matters instead: Your CTAs should be recognizable as interactive elements, clearly communicate the next step, and stand out visually from surrounding content. How you achieve these goals should be determined by testing, not rules.

"Minimize Text—People Don't Read Online"

The belief that web users don't read has led to sites with minimal content that fail to answer visitor questions or provide search engines with valuable information.

A more accurate understanding:

• People scan first to determine if content is worth reading
• Once invested, many users will read thoroughly—especially for important decisions
• Different audiences have different reading preferences

What matters instead: Make content scannable with clear headings, bullet points, and strategic formatting. Then provide comprehensive information for those who want it, particularly for high-consideration products or services.