27 Aug 20 Examples of Bad Website Design in 2024 and How to Fix It
Website design is crucial to a brand’s success in today’s digital world. Despite the advancements in technology and design tools, many websites still fall into common design traps that can negatively affect user experience, SEO, and conversion rates. Below are 20 examples of bad website design in 2024, complete with statistics and actionable solutions to fix them.
1. Cluttered Layouts
Problem: A cluttered layout can overwhelm visitors, making it difficult for them to navigate or focus on the important content. According to a study by Adobe, 38% of users will stop engaging with a website if the content or layout is unattractive.
Solution: Simplify your design by removing unnecessary elements and focusing on a clean, organized layout. Use whitespace strategically to give your content room to breathe and guide users’ eyes to the most important parts of the page.
Example: Compare an overloaded e-commerce homepage with a minimalist, grid-based design that highlights key products.
2. Poor Mobile Optimization
Problem: Despite mobile traffic accounting for over 50% of global web traffic, many websites still aren’t optimized for mobile devices. A Google study found that 53% of mobile users will leave a site that takes longer than three seconds to load.
Solution: Adopt a mobile-first approach in your design process. Ensure your website is responsive, with fast-loading pages and touch-friendly navigation. Use scalable images and ensure text is readable without zooming.
Example: A website that only scales down to mobile dimensions vs. a fully responsive site designed with mobile usability in mind.
3. Excessive Pop-Ups
Problem: While pop-ups can be useful for gathering leads, excessive or poorly timed pop-ups can annoy users. According to HubSpot, 73% of people dislike pop-up ads.
Solution: Limit the number of pop-ups and use them strategically, such as exit-intent pop-ups. Ensure they are easy to close and don’t cover essential content.
Example: A site bombarded with multiple pop-ups on arrival vs. a site with a single, well-timed pop-up that adds value to the user.
4. Slow Loading Times
Problem: Speed is critical. Google research shows that the probability of a bounce increases by 32% when page load time goes from 1 to 3 seconds.
Solution: Optimize your images, reduce server response time, and minimize the use of heavy scripts. Use tools like Google PageSpeed Insights to identify and fix issues slowing down your site.
Example: A website with heavy, unoptimized images vs. one using optimized images and a CDN for faster loading.
5. Non-Intuitive Navigation
Problem: Confusing navigation can lead to higher bounce rates, as users are less likely to stay if they can’t find what they need quickly. According to KoMarketing, 50% of visitors use the navigation menu to orient themselves on a site.
Solution: Simplify your navigation by grouping related items and using clear, descriptive labels. Ensure the navigation is consistent across all pages and consider adding a search function for easier access to specific content.
Example: A website with nested, confusing menus vs. a site with a clear, hierarchical navigation structure.
6. Lack of Accessibility
Problem: An estimated 15% of the world’s population lives with some form of disability. Websites that ignore accessibility standards not only alienate these users but also risk legal repercussions.
Solution: Follow the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) to make your site accessible. This includes providing alt text for images, ensuring colour contrast is sufficient, and making your site navigable via keyboard.
Example: A site with poor colour contrast and no alt text vs. a fully accessible site that passes WCAG guidelines.
7. Auto-Playing Media
Problem: Auto-playing videos or music can disrupt the user experience and cause annoyance, especially in public or professional environments. A BrightEdge study shows that 79% of users would mute the site or leave immediately.
Solution: Disable auto-play on all media. Allow users to choose when to play videos or music, and provide clear controls for volume and playback.
Example: A site where a video starts playing without user consent vs. a site where the user has control over media playback.
8. Outdated Design Aesthetics
Problem: Websites with outdated designs can appear untrustworthy or unprofessional. Studies show that 94% of first impressions are design-related, impacting how users perceive a brand.
Solution: Stay up-to-date with current design trends while ensuring your site maintains a timeless, professional appearance. Use modern fonts, a cohesive colour palette, and high-quality images.
Example: A website using outdated fonts and colour schemes vs. a modern, visually appealing site.
9. Confusing Call-to-Actions (CTAs)
Problem: Poorly designed CTAs can confuse users, reducing click-through rates and conversions. A study by WordStream found that adding a single CTA button can increase conversion rates by 320%.
Solution: Ensure your CTAs are clear, concise, and placed prominently on the page. Use action-oriented language and contrast them visually with the rest of the content.
Example: A CTA that blends into the background vs. a well-designed, prominent CTA that stands out.
10. Overuse of Animations
Problem: While animations can enhance a site’s appeal, overusing them can slow down performance and distract users. Research by the Nielsen Norman Group suggests that excessive animations can negatively impact user experience.
Solution: Use animations sparingly and only when they add value. Focus on smooth transitions and subtle effects that enhance the user experience without overwhelming them.
Example: A site with constant animations on every element vs. a site with subtle, meaningful animations.
11. Poor Content Hierarchy
Problem: Without a clear content hierarchy, users may struggle to find or understand information, leading to higher bounce rates. Eye-tracking studies reveal that users prefer content that is structured in an “F” pattern.
Solution: Establish a clear content hierarchy using headings, subheadings, and bullet points. Ensure that important information is highlighted and that the typography helps create visual distinctions.
Example: A site with large blocks of undifferentiated text vs. a site with well-structured content and clear hierarchy.
12. Inconsistent Branding
Problem: Inconsistent use of colours, fonts, and imagery can weaken brand identity and confuse users. Consistency can increase brand recognition by up to 80%, according to Lucidpress.
Solution: Develop a style guide that outlines your brand’s visual identity, including colour schemes, typography, and imagery. Apply this consistently across all pages and platforms.
Example: A website with varying fonts and colour schemes vs. a site with consistent branding throughout.
13. Lack of Social Proof
Problem: Social proof, like testimonials and reviews, is essential for building trust. According to BrightLocal, 91% of people read online reviews before making a purchase.
Solution: Incorporate social proof elements throughout your website. Highlight customer testimonials, display ratings, and showcase successful case studies to build credibility.
Example: A product page without customer reviews vs. a page that prominently features testimonials and ratings.
14. Ignoring SEO Best Practices
Problem: Websites that overlook SEO best practices may rank poorly in search engines, resulting in decreased visibility and traffic. A BrightEdge report shows that organic search is responsible for 53.3% of all website traffic.
Solution: Optimize on-page elements like meta tags, headings, and alt text. Ensure your site is mobile-friendly, loads quickly, and uses clean, semantic code. Regularly update your content and monitor performance with SEO tools.
Example: A site with unoptimized meta descriptions and broken links vs. a fully optimized site ranking well in search results.
15. Lack of Visual Contrast
Problem: Insufficient contrast between text and background can make content difficult to read, especially for users with visual impairments. The WCAG recommends a contrast ratio of at least 4.5:1 for regular text.
Solution: Use colour contrast tools to ensure sufficient contrast between text and background elements. Stick to high-contrast colour combinations that enhance readability.
Example: A website with light gray text on a white background vs. a site with high-contrast text that is easy to read.
16. Overwhelming Forms
Problem: Lengthy or complicated forms can deter users from completing them, leading to higher abandonment rates. A Formstack study found that reducing the number of form fields from 11 to 4 can increase conversions by 120%.
Solution: Simplify forms by only asking for essential information. Break long forms into multiple steps, and use clear labels and error messages to guide users through the process.
Example: A registration form with 20 fields vs. a simplified form with only 4 required fields.
17. Ignoring Microinteractions
Problem: Microinteractions are small design elements that help users interact with your site, such as button hover states or loading indicators. Ignoring them can make a website feel static and unresponsive.
Solution: Incorporate micro-interactions to enhance the user experience. Use subtle animations for buttons, form fields, and hover effects to create a more engaging and interactive site.
Example: A website with no feedback on button clicks vs. a site where buttons change colour or display a loading animation on click.
18. Poor Use of Stock Photos
Problem: Over-reliance on generic or low-quality stock photos can make a website feel inauthentic and uninspired. A CXL study found that using real images instead of stock photos can increase conversions by 45%.
Solution: Invest in high-quality, relevant images that reflect your brand’s personality. Whenever possible, use custom photography or illustrations to create a unique and authentic visual experience.
Example: A landing page filled with generic stock photos vs. a page with custom, brand-aligned imagery.
19. Lack of User Testing
Problem: Websites that aren’t tested with real users may have hidden usability issues, leading to poor user experiences. According to UsabilityGeek, user testing can improve a website’s overall usability by 50%.
Solution: Conduct regular user testing throughout the design and development process. Gather feedback from a diverse group of users and make iterative improvements based on their insights.
Example: A site with untested navigation vs. a site refined through user testing with intuitive navigation.
20. Ignoring Website Maintenance
Problem: Neglecting website maintenance can lead to broken links, outdated content, and security vulnerabilities. HubSpot reports that 40% of users will leave a site if the content is outdated.
Solution: Regularly update your website’s content, check for broken links, and ensure all plugins and software are up to date. Implement a maintenance schedule to keep your site running smoothly.
Example: A site with broken links and outdated content vs. a well-maintained, regularly updated site.
Conclusion
Bad website design can have significant consequences, from losing potential customers to damaging your brand’s reputation. By identifying and addressing these common design mistakes, you can create a more effective, user-friendly website that not only looks great but also delivers a seamless experience across all devices. Remember, the key to successful web design is continuous improvement—always be on the lookout for ways to enhance your site and keep up with evolving user expectations.