Ask HN: first few things you notice in a web site
Hackers have a very different perspective of looking at things. These are a lot of things that actual users of a web site may not look for, but hackers do :)
So, what are the first few things you note when you visit a new site? (Apart from the obvious "What is this site about?" and "How does it work?")
For example, I myself try to find out the server side technology, JS frameworks used, JS errors (if any), registration etc. I am sure that knowing these things will help me and a lot of people improve their sites.
Comments
bad colour schemes, poor form elements, misaligned divs, poor choice of colour for links, slow images, ugly confirmation boxes ...
The rare site that does a good job with its typography is well worth study/emulation. Not just font, typeface, but leading (interline spacing) and column width for example.
Also, editorial composition. All the design in the world won't hold me in place if I have to scale a "wall of text" (particularly enormous paragraphs without any visual landmarks).
I see site design as a means to an end. If you focus primarily on the means, you're doing it wrong. Well, it may be fine for you, and I don't begrudge you that. But you are doing it wrong for me.
If enough people feel that way, you won't have much traffic. If traffic is a goal, well then, there you go.