Making mistakes in UX design is completely normal. But that doesn’t mean you have to accept them as unavoidable. According to BusinessDasher, 97% of websites fail due to poor UI/UX design, resulting in customer loss, low conversion rates, and accessibility. Instead of letting these errors happen, try to predict and prevent them to avoid frustrating your users. A good first step is to learn about common UI/UX design & development problems and how to fix them.
What Are the Common UI/UX Design & Development Mistakes?
For businesses, the functionality and looks of a website matter. So, don’t compromise on that. To help you, we have listed 14 common UI/UX design & development mistakes and their fixes.
1. Balance Between Looks and Functionality
A report from Salesforce highlights that 88% of users won’t return to websites due to poor user experience. Hence, your product should not only look good but also work well. If you focus too much on one over the other, you might end up with a product that frustrates users due to poor functionality. This damages your brand with an unappealing design.
Therefore, functionality should take a slight lead over aesthetics. While an attractive design is important, a product that doesn’t function properly will hurt the overall experience.
2. Skipping MVP Testing
An MVP, or minimum viable product, is a simple version of your product used to test ideas and gather feedback. If you skip this step, you might face challenges like:
- Creating a product that doesn’t meet user needs.
- Missing out on valuable feedback.
- Wasting your time, effort, and money.
Ensure MVPs (minimum viable products) are key to your process.
- Build a simple version of your product that can be tested in real-world scenarios.
- Recruit beta users to try it out. You can choose a structured approach (like tasks and surveys) or let users explore freely.
- Use their feedback to make meaningful improvements.
3. Poor Text Hierarchy
Text is the format of content through which we share information. So, it must be clear, easy to read, and well-organized. The content you are adding to your website must look simple and engaging. Here’s how to do it:
Create contrast: Use different sizes, weights, and colors to separate headings and text styles.
Start with a strong title: The title should stand out the most. Subheadings and body text should get smaller and less prominent as you go down the page.
4. Ignoring the Role of Colors in Design
Colors have a significant impact on how we feel and what we think. Each color’s significance sends a message with some deep meaning. That’s why when selecting the color for your brand or website, ensure that the color you choose matches the business objective. The colors you use should support the message and purpose of each design element.
5. Avoid Unresponsive Design Elements
One common mistake in design is focusing on one type of device, like desktops or mobile phones while ignoring others. While mobile-friendly designs are essential, many users still use desktops, tablets, and other devices.
Good design should adapt to any screen size. Make sure your product works well across all devices by:
- Testing how your design looks on different screens.
- Designing with both mobile and desktop users in mind.
- Using tools like session replays to understand user challenges and make improvements.
Responsive design ensures that every user has a smooth experience, no matter how they access your product. If you get stuck, a team of expert design and development professionals at Exiliensoft can help you.
6. Too Many Pop-Ups
Nobody likes landing on a website that has lots of pop-ups. It can be frustrating to close or navigate through them instead of getting the information they came for. Pop-ups aren’t all bad, but using them wisely is essential. Here’s how to make your pop-ups user-friendly:
- Limit to one pop-up per page.
- Ensure it doesn’t block the entire screen or interrupt the user’s journey.
- Ensure pop-ups are easy to close with a clear “X” or button.
- Keep them relevant and straightforward to interact with.
7. Making Forms Clear and Easy to Use
When users sign up, log in, or check out, forms play an important role in their experience of interacting with the website. Sometimes, we see that the form got rejected for any reason, and often, it only shows “ERROR.” At this point, users might get confused or leave your website. Therefore, when creating forms, make them easy, smooth, and stress-free to fill out. Also, clear instructions and feedback should be provided at every step so users can easily understand it. Here are the tips for better form design:
- Avoid relying only on color to show errors. Add clear, actionable messages to guide users on how to fix mistakes.
- If the form is long, break it into smaller sections and add a progress bar so users know how much is left.
8. Slow Load Times
People don’t like waiting for websites or apps to load. If your site takes too long, users might leave before it even finishes loading. Slow load times can impact the website’s search engine ranking. To speed things up:
- Optimize your images so they load faster.
- Minify your code to reduce unnecessary clutter.
- Use a content delivery network (CDN) to improve loading speed.
9. Chasing Every Design Trend
Design trends come and go, just like fashion or music. While staying updated is essential, not every trend will suit your product. Before jumping on a trend, ask yourself:
- Will it make things easier for users? A good trend should improve navigation and reduce confusion.
- Does it look better? First impressions matter, so choose trends that enhance your product’s visuals.
- Is it clear and easy to read? Ensure any trend works well with your text and doesn’t complicate the user experience.
10. Ignoring UX Writing
UX writing—like buttons, instructions, or error messages—is a big part of the user experience. Unfortunately, it’s often treated as an afterthought, added at the last minute without much planning. This can make the text feel disconnected from the design. To avoid this:
- Plan where and how UX content will initially fit into your design.
- Share screenshots and wireframes with writers so they can create text that blends seamlessly with the layout.
By working together, designers and writers can create a consistent and user-friendly product.
11. Don’t Overwhelm Users with Too Much Information
When you’re passionate about your product, it’s easy to share many details immediately. However, giving too much information at once can confuse users and make it harder for them to understand.
Instead, focus on what users need to know to get started. A great experience lets people intuitively use your product without feeling like they have to learn too much initially.
12. Ignoring User Needs and Feedback
- Think about how your product solves users’ problems.
- Involve your users at every stage of design and improvement.
- Regularly collect feedback with surveys and other tools.
By listening to your users and making updates based on their input, you’ll create a product that meets their needs and provides a great experience.
13. Misleading Links and Buttons
When someone clicks a button or link on your website, they trust it will take them to the right place. For example, if a button says, “Learn more about our pricing,” it should lead directly to your pricing page, not to a sign-up form or another page. Similarly, if a link promises to show a video, make sure it leads to the video, not a blog post or a landing page. Being transparent and honest about where links and buttons lead builds trust and creates a better user experience.
14. Missing or Confusing Call-to-Actions (CTAs)
Call-to-actions (CTAs) help guide users on what to do next, like signing up, learning more, or purchasing. If CTAs are unclear or hard to find, users may feel lost and leave without taking any action. Make your CTAs clear, easy to understand, and noticeable. A well-placed and clear CTA ensures users know exactly what to do and helps improve engagement and conversions.
These are 14 common UI/UX design & development mistakes and their fixes you can adopt to provide a better user experience.
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