The Good Great Bad & Ugly

This page is my running collection of websites that catch my eye—for good reasons and bad. Think of it as a mix of inspiration, cautionary tales, and honest critique. I’ll keep adding to it as I come across new examples.

Why This Matters

Good websites do more than just look nice—they create trust, guide people, and make the experience enjoyable. Bad websites do the opposite: they frustrate, confuse, and push people away.

By putting these examples side by side, the differences become obvious. For me, this list is about recognising what works online, avoiding what doesn’t, and using those lessons in my own projects.

✅ Pages I Like

These are sites that get the fundamentals right—design, usability, copy, and overall vibe. They make the internet feel smooth, simple, and worth the visit.

1. Notion – notion.so

Why I Like It:

• Minimalist design that doesn’t feel empty.

• Flexible navigation with a “workspace” feel.

• Content is the hero, not the interface.

2. Stripe – stripe.com

Why I Like It:

• Clean typography with clear hierarchy.

• Technical information presented in a way that’s accessible.

• A brand voice that feels modern but not overbearing.

3. Medium – medium.com

Why I Like It:

• Writing-focused, distraction-free reading.

• Consistent layout across all articles.

• Balanced white space that lets words breathe.

4. Figma – figma.com

Why I Like It:

• Bold visuals without losing clarity.

• Smooth onboarding experience.

• A product-led site where the design matches the tool itself.

❌ Pages I Don’t Like

These are sites that miss the mark—either because they overdo things or ignore what users actually want.

1. Local News Sites (Generic)

Why I Don’t Like Them:

• Cluttered with ads, pop-ups, autoplay videos.

• Content hidden behind distractions.

• Navigation feels like a maze.

2. Clickbait Blogs (Generic)

Why I Don’t Like Them:

• Endless scroll with no real substance.

• Heavy reliance on affiliate links without value.

• Titles over-promise, content under-delivers.

3. Corporate Sites from the 2000s (Generic)

Why I Don’t Like Them:

• Overuse of stock images that feel lifeless.

• Confusing menus with way too many layers.

• No clear story just corporate jargon.

4. Travel Booking Giants (e.g. Booking.com)

Why I Don’t Like Them:

• Overcrowded pages with flashing “only 1 room left!” urgency.

• Distracts instead of helping with clear decisions.

• Feels more like a sales funnel than a service.

I’ll keep updating this page as I come across more gems (and more disasters). If you’ve spotted a site worth adding here—good or bad—send it my way