Selecting the right fonts can make or break a website’s design. While fonts like Times New Roman and Arial may seem “boring,” they are popular for a reason – they are extremely legible and easy on the eyes. Other fonts, in contrast, can hamper readability and frustrate visitors.
As a web designer, especially one providing web design services for small business, you want to choose fonts that make your content shine, not get in the way. So which fonts should you specifically avoid using? Here are two of the biggest offenders.
Why You Should Avoid Using Curlz MT
We’ve all seen those overly loopy, swirly fonts that are hard to make out at first glance. Curlz MT is one of the worst. This decorative font has letters with curlicues, swashes, and exaggerated rounded edges. It looks pretty at a glance, but it will give your visitors a headache trying to decipher the text.
Some key reasons to avoid Curlz MT:
- Hard to read – The fancy styling of each letter makes words blur together. Reading more than a few words in Curlz MT requires effort.
- Slows down reading – With text that is difficult to parse, users will have to spend more time decoding each word. This makes for a tedious reading experience.
- Reduced accessibility – Curlz MT’s ornate look also makes it difficult for those with visual impairments or cognitive disabilities to read.
- Trivializes content – The whimsical, casual vibe of Curlz MT may undermine more serious content on your site.
Instead of Curlz MT, choose simple, clean fonts like Helvetica, Verdana, or Open Sans for maximum clarity. An easy-to-read font helps users take in information more efficiently. It also makes your site more accessible.
Say No to Comic Sans
You’ve likely been advised before to avoid using Comic Sans. But why is this cartoonish font so maligned in web design circles?
Comic Sans screams unprofessional. While it was created to look lively and youthful, it ends up appearing sloppy and childish on most websites. Here are other problems it poses:
- Low legibility – The wonky, irregular letter shapes slow down reading speed.
- Distracting – The casual, bubbly look makes it hard to take content seriously. It pulls focus away from the actual text.
- Overused – Since it comes preinstalled on computers, Comic Sans tends to get overused by amateur designers. Using it will make your site seem generic.
So when should you avoid reaching for Comic Sans? Always – with the rare exception being if you are designing a site for a preschool or daycare. In nearly any other case, pick a simple, clean font that matches your brand. Options like Helvetica, Arial, or Garamond will serve you well.
Focus on Readability and Brand Consistency
Avoiding hard-to-read novelty fonts may seem limiting, but ultimately legibility should be the priority in your web design. After all, you want visitors to actually absorb the valuable content on your site!
Stick to simple, familiar fonts, and consider testing out new ones for readability first. Also, ensure the font matches the look and feel you want to convey with your brand.
With a clean, readable font, you remove obstacles to comprehension. Visitors can focus on what matters most – your content. So when it comes to fonts, remember: boring works. Dodge distracting styles like Curlz MT and Comic Sans, and your site’s readability will greatly benefit.
For more information visit our website.
