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  • Writer's pictureThe Orange Bear
    • May 3
    • 8 min read

The Top 50 Things People Hate About Websites



A graphic image of a bear destroying a computer


Key Takeaways

  1. Prioritize user experience (UX) and user interface (UI) design to keep visitors engaged, increase conversions, and improve search engine rankings.

  2. Optimize your website for speed, mobile devices, and accessibility to cater to all users.

  3. Keep your website design clean and consistent, with a clear information hierarchy and visual hierarchy.

  4. Make navigation easy and intuitive with features like search functionality, breadcrumb navigation, and hamburger menus on mobile devices.

  5. Avoid common pitfalls such as broken links, misleading headlines, and outdated information.

  6. Enhance user experience with personalized content, social proof, and localized content for international audiences.

  7. Monitor and track errors on your site to ensure a smooth user experience and make improvements based on user feedback.

  8. Comply with privacy regulations by providing a privacy policy, cookie consent, and SSL certificates.

  9. Use the resources and best practices provided throughout the article to optimize your website's UX and UI, ultimately leading to a better experience for your visitors and higher search engine rankings.

Index

  1. Introduction

  2. Slow Loading Times

  3. Poor Mobile Optimization

  4. Complicated Navigation

  5. Too Many Pop-ups and Ads

  6. Autoplay Videos and Audio

  7. Poor Readability

  8. Inconsistent Design

  9. Lack of Clear Call-to-Action (CTA)

  10. Broken Links

  11. Poorly Written Content

  12. Inaccessible Content

  13. Stock Photos Overuse

  14. Outdated Design

  15. Complicated Forms

  16. No Search Function

  17. Inadequate White Space

  18. Poor Error Handling

  19. Hidden Contact Information

  20. Ineffective 404 Pages

  21. No Social Sharing Buttons

  22. Inconsistent URL Structure

  23. No Clear Information Hierarchy

  24. No Testimonials or Reviews

  25. Poor Legibility

  26. No Site Map

  27. Non-Descriptive Link Text

  28. No Favicon

  29. No SSL Certificate

  30. No Analytics Integration

  31. No Social Proof

  32. No Clear Value Proposition

  33. Misleading Headlines

  34. Too Many Fonts

  35. Inappropriate Use of Animations

  36. No Breadcrumb Navigation

  37. No Alt Text for Images

  38. Overuse of Jargon

  39. No Cookie Consent

  40. No Hamburger Menu on Mobile

  41. No Visual Hierarchy

  42. No Clear User Flow

  43. Lack of Content Variety

  44. No Feedback Mechanism

  45. No Content Personalization

  46. No Privacy Policy

  47. Outdated Information

  48. Non-Optimized Images

  49. No Clear Branding

  50. No Localized Content

  51. No Error Tracking

  52. Conclusion

  53. FAQ



Introduction


Website user experience (UX) and user interface (UI) are two critical factors that determine the success of your online presence. With the constant evolution of technology and design trends, it's more important than ever to stay up-to-date and ensure your website caters to your users' needs. In this comprehensive guide, we'll explore the top 50 things people dislike about website UX and UI, and provide actionable tips to help you improve your site's performance. With relevant links throughout, this article will become your go-to resource for optimizing your website's user experience.



Slow Loading Times

Slow loading times are one of the biggest frustrations for users. According to a study by Google, 53% of mobile users abandon a site if it takes longer than 3 seconds to load. Optimize your site's performance by compressing images, minifying code, and leveraging browser caching.


Resources:


Google PageSpeed Insights: https://developers.google.com/speed/pagespeed/insights/

GTmetrix: https://gtmetrix.com/



Poor Mobile Optimization

With more than half of all web traffic coming from mobile devices, having a responsive website is crucial. Make sure your website scales and functions well on all screen sizes.


Resources:


Google Mobile-Friendly Test: https://search.google.com/test/mobile-friendly

Responsive Web Design Basics: https://web.dev/responsive-web-design-basics/



Complicated Navigation

A confusing navigation structure can deter users from exploring your website. Keep your navigation simple, clear, and consistent across all pages.


Resource:


Navigation Best Practices: https://www.nngroup.com/articles/navigation-ia-tests/




Too Many Pop-ups and Ads

Excessive pop-ups and ads can be intrusive and negatively impact the user experience. Limit their use and ensure they don't obstruct important content.


Resource:


Google's Guidelines on Pop-ups: https://support.google.com/webmasters/answer/66356?hl=en



Autoplay Videos and Audio

Autoplay content can be disruptive and annoying to users. Give them the choice to play or pause media.


Resource:


How to Disable Autoplay Videos: https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/Media/Autoplay_guide



Poor Readability

Poor readability due to small fonts, low contrast, or cluttered layouts can make it difficult for users to consume your content. Use appropriate font sizes and high contrast between text and background colors.


Resources:


Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG): https://www.w3.org/WAI/standards-guidelines/wcag/

Readability Guidelines: https://readabilityguidelines.co.uk/



Inconsistent Design

Inconsistent design elements can make your website appear unprofessional. Establish a consistent design language across your site to create a cohesive user experience.