Take a look at your website’s analytics. Are visitors disappearing without clicking around? A high bounce rate could have a negative impact on your SEO and PPC efforts.
As your SEO and PPC rankings drop, you’ll appear in front of fewer customers. Instead, your competitors will get those leads.
Meanwhile, you could leave a bad taste in the consumer’s mouth.
Your website’s user experience (UX) design is possibly to blame. In fact, 38% of website visitors will stop engaging with a site if it’s unattractive. Another 39% will leave if images fail to load.
Don’t scare off potential customers. Instead, keep an eye out for these eight signs of bad UX design. By improving the user experience design on your website, you can draw customers in instead of losing them.
Keep reading to discover the eight signs it’s time to make a change with your site!
1. Pages Load Slowly
No one wants to wait around for a website to load. In fact, the probability of a bounce increases 32% when load times reach three seconds.
Customers want fast access to the information they’re looking for. The longer they have to wait, the more likely they’ll leave. Remember, a high bounce rate can impact your SEO and PPC campaigns.
You could struggle to reach new website visitors if you neglect your UX optimization and load times.
Instead, create a positive user experience by speeding up your site.
First, use Google’s PageSpeed Insights to determine what’s hurting your website. Which elements are causing the load times to lag? For example, you might need to remove a plugin or compress images.
You can use minimalistic design trends to clean up your pages as well.
2. No Mobile Optimization
Bad mobile optimization annoys almost 50% of users. Meanwhile, 53% of mobile visitors will lead if a page takes over three seconds to load.
Improving the UX design on your site, on the other hand, could yield conversion rates of up to 400%!
More people are using their smartphones to find the information they need while they’re out and about. For example, consumers can find your Google My Business listing for your address, directions, phone number, or website. What if they visit your website and can’t find the information they’re looking for?
You could lose the chance to generate a lead or conversion.
To avoid creating a bad user experience, make sure your site is optimized for smaller screens. You can use Google’s Mobile-Friendly Test to determine if your site is already optimized.
3. No Focus
Why are people visiting your website? What are they looking for? If your website is a mess, it’s likely they’ll struggle to find it.
Each page on your website should have a single focus and purpose. Otherwise, you could risk confusing visitors. They’ll likely leave your website to find one that can help them accomplish their goals.
Make sure the purpose of your business is clear the moment your homepage loads. Tell people who you are and what you do. A clear brand message will help you make a lasting impression with visitors.
If your message is unclear, visitors could waste valuable time trying to understand your business.
Take a look at each page on your website. Why is it there? Is it helping you communicate your products, services, and business?
Give each page a distinct headline that tells readers exactly what’s on the page. Visitors will then spend more time focused on your products/services. They’ll see the value you have to offer, instead of feeling confused (and potentially frustrated).
4. Missing CTAs
Visitors can’t convert on your website if you don’t give them the chance.
Take a look at each of your pages again. Do you create a clear opportunity for visitors to become leads?
CTAs give your website visitors direction. What action do you want them to take? Do you want them to fill out a form, call you, or make a purchase on your website?
Make sure your CTAs are clear and specific. Use strong verbs within your CTAs to compel people to take action. Then, check all your links to make sure they work properly.
5. Messy Navigation
A messy navigation is one of the most obvious signs of bad user experience design. If people can’t explore your website, how will they find what they’re looking for?
Make sure your pages are organized in a way that makes sense. Keep it organized but avoid putting too many page links under one tab.
Look at the design of your navigation bar, too. Make sure the colors contrast. Otherwise, people might struggle to read the text.
6. Awkward Readability
Readability is another important component of UX design. After all, people won’t convert if they can’t read your content, links, and CTAs.
First, break large blocks of content into smaller sections using headings and subheadings. Creating a hierarchy will improve readability. Try using shorter sentences and smaller paragraphs as well.
Give your page white space, too.
Avoid using multiple fonts on your pages, which could make your pages look messy.
7. Poor Images
What images are you using on your website? Old, low-quality stock images are a clear sign of bad UX. People are becoming more aware of what stock images look like.
Instead, consider hiring a professional photographer. Let the photos on your website speak to your brand.
Make sure to avoid using any photos that are blurry or pixelated.
You discover how Decibel quickly finds poor user experiences here.
8. Lacking Security
Take a look at your website’s URL. Do you see a lock and “HTTPS” in front of the domain name? If not, your website is insecure.
Consumers often avoid making purchases on insecure websites. You could miss out on potential sales. Update your website with an SSL certificate to give visitors peace of mind.
Don’t Scare Away Your Customers: 8 Signs of Bad UX Design
Don’t let bad UX design scare off potential customers. Instead, keep an eye out for these signs of bad user experience design. With these tips, you can develop a successful business site that draws in leads!
Looking for more ways to make a positive change this year? We can help.
Explore our latest guides today for more helpful tips and tricks!
Michelle 
Clarice