Less Is More

It looks like a cliche … it is a cliche.

Basically, if an element on a web page has no truly useful function, then remove it. A carousel made with Javascript to show images? Get rid of it, it’s a waste of resources. You may think it looks cool, but what is its actual function other than to screw with people’s browsers and internet connexion?

Huge background images or videos (especially with parallax type effects)? Why are you doing this? It’s all a waste of bandwidth, computer resources and money.

What’s bandwidth? In this context it’s the capacity for one computer to send electronic information to another down the wires of the internet. It’s measured variously by the maximum number of bits per second that can be served, or the amount of data served over a period.

Bandwidth costs money. Pushing out web pages with masses of media, images, CSS, Javascript etc etc costs more money and means that the server is able to cater for fewer visitors.

It slows down the browsing experience (frustrated users), clogs up their internet connexion and overburdens their computer, for what?

So that the marketing department thinks it all looks “cool”?

THERE IS NO MARKETING DEPARTMENT!

There is also almost certainly no advertising revenue.

Every page costs resources, bandwidth and ultimately money to deliver.

Have I put this in enough different ways yet?

Every bit of bandwidth used needs to be considered and optimised. Where is it being served from, who’s paying for it, is it actually needed and can it be served for high volumes of users?

Less bandwidth per web page means more users can be served with the same resources.