Using frames in our web design may be excellent for web usability. Frame makes it easier for user to have header or footer appears all the time anywhere user go. But, using frames also have negative downsides, also in web usability matter.

The URL of a framed page doesn’t change as user goes from page to page. This could be an issue if user wants to bookmark a specific page of your site. They can’t do that in a framed page. It’s also impossible for them to get a link to share some specific page through hyperlink, email, or facebook.

The second downside involves SEO. If somehow your SEO works and some information on your sub page are getting list on Google search result, user may not get a perfect view of your page. Users who get in your page through Google search result will be shown some part of the sub pages without its surrounding frame. This can’t be pretty.