Last updated: October 17, 2026
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I wrote this list in 2007, angry about splash pages and websites that resized my browser. It became my most popular post ever, read by more than a quarter of a million people. A lot of the technology in it is gone. Flash is dead, nobody worries about dial-up, and Firefox is no longer the browser you have to remind people about.
What surprised me when I reread it is how many of the rules still hold once you swap in the modern equivalent. Below is each commandment, what I meant in 2007, and my verdict for 2026.
The 19 commandments, then and now
1. Do not resize the user’s browser window
2007: A bit of JavaScript that resized the window was the mark of a spam site or a designer who “also does websites”. 2026: Browsers mostly block this now. The modern version is hijacking scrolling or the back button. Same rule: the visitor controls the browser, not you.
2. Do not make visitors “launch” your real site in a pop-up
2007: Splash page, click “Enter”, new window. You lose. 2026: Splash pages are rare, but full-screen newsletter pop-ups that fire before anyone reads a word are the same mistake. Deliver your message first.
3. Don’t make people pick a “high bandwidth” or “low bandwidth” version
2007: Asking visitors to choose their connection speed. 2026: Responsive design and modern image formats do this for you. One site should work on every screen and connection.
4. Don’t build the whole site in Flash
2007: Flash was a great tool for animation and video, and a terrible way to build an entire site. 2026: Flash is gone. The modern trap is a heavy JavaScript app for what should be a simple brochure site. If search engines and screen readers struggle with it, rethink it.
5. Don’t reinvent navigation
2007: Clever, mysterious menus that make people hunt for the links. 2026: Still true. Put navigation where people expect it and label it in plain words.
6. Print designers, stop “doing websites on the side”
2007: This one got me in trouble. Print and web are different crafts. 2026: Softer verdict. Plenty of great designers work in both. The point stands, though: the web has its own rules for speed, accessibility, and responsiveness, so hire someone who knows them.
7. Put real text on your home page
2007: Text baked into images can’t be read by search engines. 2026: Still true, and now it matters for accessibility and AI search too. Use real text, and real alt text on images.
8. Make sure it works in Firefox
2007: Too many sites only worked in Internet Explorer. 2026: Test in Chrome, Safari, Firefox, and Edge, and above all on phones. Most of your traffic is probably mobile.
9. No blinking text, no FrontPage, no pop-ups, no scrolling text
2007: A grab bag of things that had already been beaten to death. 2026: Blinking text and FrontPage are history. Autoplaying video and stacked cookie, chat, and newsletter overlays are the new versions.
10. No music
2007: Background music that starts on page load. 2026: Browsers now block most autoplaying sound. Don’t fight them.
11. Use text navigation
2007: Image-based menus were common and hard to read for search engines. 2026: Still good advice. Icons need text labels too.
12. Have a site map
2007: A page listing every section of the site. 2026: You need an XML sitemap for search engines, which WordPress creates for you at /wp-sitemap.xml. A human-readable one is optional.
13. Add search
2007: Any site with more than a few pages needs a search box. 2026: Still true. WordPress includes one, and better search plugins exist if the built-in results are weak.
14. Load time still matters
2007: Over half of American internet users were still on slow connections. 2026: Connections are faster, but pages are much heavier, and Google measures speed with Core Web Vitals. My guide to speeding up WordPress starts with your host, because that is where most slow sites begin.
15. Don’t hide your message
2007: A home page is a billboard. Give people a message and a path. 2026: Still the most important rule on this list. One clear headline and one clear next step.
16. Give visitors predetermined paths
2007: Guide people toward what you want them to do. 2026: Same thing, now called a conversion funnel.
17. Respect bandwidth with video
2007: Don’t force a large video on people who didn’t ask for it. 2026: Host video on a service built for it, lazy-load embeds, and never autoplay with sound.
18. Don’t make people mouse over things to find out what they are
2007: If users have to hover to discover what a link does, find another line of work. 2026: Even more important now, because phones have no hover at all.
19. New technology is not a reason by itself
2007: Just because something is new, or you just discovered it, doesn’t mean the site needs it. 2026: Today that technology is usually AI. Use it where it helps visitors, not because it’s on the feature list.
Bonus rules from readers
After the post spread on Reddit, readers added a few rules I still agree with:
- Don’t link to a PDF without saying it’s a PDF.
- Don’t use scripts that stop visitors from leaving with the back button. Locking customers in your store doesn’t make them buy.
- Proofread. “You’re” and “your” are not the same word.
- Don’t write in random CAPITAL LETTERS for emphasis.
Building a site in 2026 without breaking the rules
The easiest way to follow most of these commandments today is to start from a modern platform that handles mobile layouts, sitemaps, and speed for you. If you’re building a small site yourself, WordPress.com and its AI website builder give you a sensible starting point. Read my notes on what to fix before you launch an AI-built site first.
Starting a new site? WordPress.com’s AI builder sets up a responsive site with hosting included.
FAQ
Are Flash websites still possible in 2026?
No. Adobe ended Flash Player support at the end of 2020 and every major browser has removed it. Animations and video now use HTML5, CSS, and JavaScript.
Do I still need a site map?
You need an XML sitemap so search engines can find your pages. WordPress generates one automatically. A visible site map page for people is optional.
What is the modern version of a splash page?
A full-screen pop-up or overlay that appears before the visitor sees any content. It has the same effect: people leave before they learn what you offer.
Which browsers should I test my website in?
Chrome, Safari, Firefox, and Edge, on both desktop and mobile. Mobile Safari and Chrome on Android matter most for most sites.
Is this advice still relevant for WordPress sites?
Most of it, yes. WordPress and modern themes handle the technical items like sitemaps and responsive layouts, but clear messaging, simple navigation, and speed are still up to you.
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