Are you concerned that your website's user interface (UI) might be sabotaging your business? If so, you’re not alone. Poorly designed UI can lead to low conversions, lack of engagement, and frustrated customers. In this blog post, we’ll look at seven UI elements that could be killing your website and discuss what you can do to improve them. Whether you’re just starting out or are in need of a website redesign, this article will give you the insight you need to create an effective user experience.

1) Navigation menus that are hard to find

When it comes to user interface design, navigation menus are one of the most important elements of any website. They provide visitors with the ability to find and explore the content they’re looking for, and can make or break the user experience of your website. If a website’s navigation menus are hard to find or understand, visitors won’t be able to access what they need and may quickly become frustrated and leave your website.

The first step to designing a great navigation menu is making sure that it’s easy to spot. That means using visual cues such as an easily recognizable icon or a bold color that clearly identifies the menu. It’s also important to make sure that your navigation menus are visible on all screen sizes, as many people now browse the web on their phones and tablets. 

Having too many navigation items can also be a problem. Having too many options in your navigation menu can be overwhelming and confusing to visitors, so it’s best to keep your navigation menu focused and streamlined. A good way to do this is by only including the most important items in your navigation menus and grouping related topics together.

Finally, make sure that your navigation menus are organized logically. Arrange them in a way that makes sense to visitors, with items grouped into logical categories or sections. Using clear labels that accurately describe the content of each page will help visitors find the information they’re looking for quickly and easily. 

By following these simple tips, you can ensure that your navigation menus are intuitive and easy-to-use, which will make it easier for visitors to access the content they need. This will make it much more likely that visitors will have a positive experience on your website, improving user engagement and boosting your business.

2) Links that don't work

When it comes to providing a good user experience on your website, there are many elements that can make or break the success of your business. One of the most frustrating elements that can be found on a website is when links don't work. Whether they're leading to other parts of the website or to external websites, having broken links can be extremely detrimental to a website's user experience.

Broken links can make it difficult for visitors to find the content they are looking for and can lead them to become frustrated with the overall experience. Furthermore, if you have external links that lead to other websites, but they're not working, it can give off the impression that you don't keep up with your website's maintenance.

To ensure that your links are working properly, it is important to regularly check for any broken links and take steps to fix them as soon as possible. This could include updating the link to point to a different page or website, or simply taking the time to remove the link altogether. Additionally, if you have external links on your website, be sure to double-check that they are pointing to the correct pages and that they are up to date. Taking the time to address any broken links will help ensure that visitors have a smooth and enjoyable experience while using your website.

3) Forms that are difficult to fill out

When it comes to UI elements on your website, one of the most important is the form. Forms are essential for collecting information from users, but if they’re poorly designed, they can have a significant impact on user experience and lead to lost business. 

A form should be easy to fill out with clear instructions and guidance for users. If the form is overly complicated or confusing, users may abandon it and leave your website. To ensure a positive experience, make sure your forms are simple, organized, and straightforward. 

When designing your form, consider how much information you need from the user. Asking for too much information may cause users to become overwhelmed and leave the form unfinished. Avoid requiring unnecessary fields or complicated options, and instead focus on creating a streamlined experience that requires minimal effort from users.

Also, keep in mind that not all forms are the same – different forms may require different approaches. Make sure to tailor your form design to the specific purpose of the form so that users understand exactly what you’re asking for. Additionally, consider using features such as autocomplete and field validation to reduce user errors and make the form easier to fill out. 

4) Videos that don't load

When videos don’t load on your website, it can be a major source of frustration for users and could ultimately lead to a poor user experience. This could be due to slow loading speeds, low bandwidth, or an outdated browser. Whatever the cause may be, if your website's videos are not loading properly, it could be hurting your business in more ways than one.

To ensure that videos are loading quickly and properly, use high-quality video hosting services such as YouTube or Vimeo. You should also make sure that all videos are optimized for different browsers, devices, and connections. If you have the capability to do so, you can even try implementing video streaming technologies such as HTML5 and HLS for faster loading times. Finally, make sure to test the speed of your website’s videos on multiple platforms before going live with them. 

By taking these steps, you can ensure that your videos load quickly and properly every time, leading to a better overall user experience on your website.

5) Images that take too long to load

When it comes to your website, one of the most important aspects to consider is how quickly and effectively your pages are loading. If your website is taking too long to load, this can have a huge negative impact on user experience and ultimately, on your bottom line. One of the biggest culprits of slow loading times are images that take too long to load.

Whether it's due to large file sizes, misconfigured settings, or the wrong image formats being used, images that take too long to load can cause significant delays for users trying to access your website. This could lead to users giving up on your site entirely, resulting in lost customers and revenue.

To avoid this, make sure all images are appropriately sized for their intended use and have been optimized for web viewing. Additionally, use the right format for each image: JPEG for photographs, PNG for graphics with fewer than 16 million colors, and GIF for images with less than 256 colors. By taking these steps, you'll ensure your website is loading quickly and efficiently, leading to a better user experience and increased conversions.

6) Pop-ups that block the content

Pop-ups are an increasingly common feature of many websites, but they can be a major source of frustration for your visitors. If a pop-up blocks the content on your page, it could be doing more harm than good. 

When used properly, pop-ups can be an effective way to capture user information or promote sales and special offers. But when used carelessly, they can quickly overwhelm and frustrate visitors. Studies have found that pop-ups that block the content of a page often result in high bounce rates and low conversions. 

To avoid driving away potential customers, make sure any pop-ups you use are relevant to the page's content, don't require users to take any action (such as entering their email address), and give visitors an easy way to close the pop-up without completing the task. Additionally, consider making your pop-ups optional, so that users can choose to view them or not. 

By taking the time to make sure your pop-ups are done right, you can ensure that they won't be hurting your website and scaring off potential customers.

7) Auto-play audio or video

When it comes to UI elements, one of the worst offenders is auto-play audio or video. Nothing ruins a user’s experience more than suddenly having a loud video or audio playing when they didn’t expect it. Not only does it disrupt their flow, it’s also incredibly annoying and intrusive.

Auto-play videos can be helpful if used correctly. For example, on a homepage where the video is used to set the tone of the site and introduce visitors to what you have to offer. But, make sure that users have the option to turn it off or pause the video if they want to. 

It’s also important to consider the context in which auto-play audio or video is being used. For example, if someone is working in a quiet office, they may not appreciate your website suddenly blaring music at them.

If you do decide to use auto-play audio or video, make sure that users have control over it and that the sound isn’t too loud or distracting. Otherwise, you risk driving away potential customers and damaging your reputation.

Final Note

As we have discussed, there are several UI elements that can have a negative impact on the success of your website. In order to ensure that your website provides a great user experience and brings you the desired results, it is important to evaluate your website’s UI and take steps to improve it.

It's also worth noting that UI design isn't the only factor when it comes to the success of your website. Other elements such as content quality, user experience, and site optimization all play an important role in creating a successful website. It's important to keep these factors in mind when assessing your website's performance.

Finally, if you're not sure how to improve your website's UI, it may be worth considering consulting a professional web design team. They will be able to provide guidance and advice on how to best optimize your website and create a great user experience for your visitors.

By taking the time to review and evaluate your website's UI, you'll be able to ensure that your website is optimized for maximum success. With the right design elements in place, you'll be able to increase the number of visitors to your website, boost conversions, and increase customer loyalty.

Also Read

Conducting a UX Audit and How it Can Lead Your Business to Success