Question

Describe a situation where you have found a website to be poorly maintained. What was the problem, and how could that problem have been avoided?

Answer 1

I once visited a website for a local non-profit organization that aimed to provide resources and support for mental health in the community. Upon accessing the site, I encountered several issues that indicated it was poorly maintained.

Firstly, the homepage was cluttered and had outdated information. For example, the events section featured an announcement for a workshop that had already taken place over six months prior, along with outdated contact information for their staff. Additionally, many links led to “404 Not Found” pages, indicating that they had not been updated as content changed or was removed.

The site's design was also not mobile-friendly, leading to a frustrating experience on smartphones and tablets. Furthermore, there were several broken images and formatting issues that detracted from the overall professionalism of the site.

These problems could have been avoided with a regular maintenance schedule. Implementing a simple content management system with designated personnel responsible for updates could have ensured that information was current and relevant. Additionally, establishing regular website audits to check for broken links and outdated content would help maintain the integrity of the site. Conducting user experience testing could have highlighted issues with mobile compatibility early on, allowing for timely improvements. By prioritizing these practices, the organization could create a more engaging and reliable online presence, ultimately better serving its community.