Bad user experience (UX) is something that no one wants to encounter, but unfortunately, it happens all too often. From confusing navigation to poorly designed forms, there are countless ways in which UX can go wrong and leave users feeling frustrated and unsatisfied.
In this article, we will take a look at 7 real-life examples of bad UX that you should avoid in your own designs. Each bad UX example illustrates a different aspect of poor design choices, emphasizing the negative impact these issues can have on users' interactions with the product. By learning from these mistakes, you can ensure that your users have a smooth and enjoyable experience with your product or service.
What is Bad UX Design?
Bad UX design refers to the creation of digital products that fail to meet the needs and expectations of users. It can manifest in various ways, including poor navigation, lack of intuitiveness, complexity, and clutter. When users struggle to find what they need or understand how to use a product, it’s a clear sign of bad UX.
7 Real-Life Bad UX Examples from Big Brands
Booking.com’s Pop-ups
Booking.com is often cited in bad UX design examples for its aggressive pop-up notifications and urgency tactics, like “only 2 rooms left!” or “20 people are looking at this hotel right now.” These strategies aim to boost sales by prompting quick decisions but often overwhelm users. Many feel stressed and pressured, turning browsing into a nerve-racking experience.
To retain customers, providing a stress-free booking journey is crucial. Booking.com could reduce pop-up frequency and present information more calmly. Highlighting room availability without alarmism still conveys important details and reduces anxiety. Simplifying notifications enhances user experience, builds trust, and ensures customer satisfaction.
Facebook’s Privacy Settings
Facebook has faced quite a bit of criticism over its privacy settings, which many users find complex and often unclear. It's no secret that people value their privacy, especially online, but navigating through Facebook's privacy options can feel like trying to find your way through a maze. This lack of clarity can lead to a sense of confusion and, unfortunately, a lack of trust in Facebook.
To build a better relationship with its users, Facebook could benefit from simplifying its privacy controls, providing straightforward instructions, and ensuring that users can easily understand and manage their personal information.
Amazon's Checkout Process
While Amazon is generally effective in providing a smooth user experience, their checkout process can sometimes feel a bit overwhelming. This is mainly due to the numerous upsell suggestions and various options that appear during the final steps of making a purchase. From extended warranties and recommended products to special offers and delivery options, users can easily get distracted.
To maintain a streamlined checkout experience, Amazon could consider simplifying the process by prioritizing and limiting the number of upsell options displayed. This would allow customers to stay focused on their primary goal of completing a purchase, thus enhancing their overall shopping experience.
Need customizable 3D icons and animated icons for web, app design? Don't forget to check out Pixcap, your one-stop destination for 15,000+ of high-quality icons!
Walmart’s Website Clutter
Walmart's website, while aiming to offer a wide array of options, can sometimes feel a bit too crowded. With countless promotions, advertisements, and choices displayed all at once, customers may find it overwhelming to navigate. This overload of information can make it harder for users to quickly locate what they're searching for, taking away from the convenience and ease that online shopping should provide.
Simplifying the user interface, perhaps by organizing options more clearly or minimizing distractions, could significantly improve the shopping experience. By doing so, Walmart can ensure that customers enjoy a more focused, efficient, and pleasant journey from start to finish on their platform.
Apple’s Storage Management System
Apple’s storage management system is an example of poor user experience design because it can be confusing and frustrating for many people. The way apple's storage management system is set up makes it difficult for users to understand how to free up storage space effectively.
To improve this, the system should clearly show users how many photos they need to delete to make more room available. This information can help users make better decisions about what to keep and what to remove.
Additionally, the dialog box should be integrated directly with the storage management settings. This would make it much easier for users to manage and clear storage space quickly, without unnecessary hassle.
WhatsApp’s Delete Message Feature
WhatsApp’s delete message feature WhatsApp is often seen as poor design because it can confuse and frustrate users. When you delete a message, it leaves a note saying it was deleted, which can be annoying.
To make this feature better, WhatsApp should allow messages to be deleted without leaving a trace. This would make the experience smoother and less frustrating for users.
A better idea might be to copy Gmail’s method. Gmail lets users delete emails within 10 seconds without letting the other person know. If WhatsApp did something similar, it could make deleting messages easier and more user-friendly.
Etsy's Search Functionality
Etsy’s search bar functionality has faced challenges, sometimes frustrating users trying to find the perfect handcrafted or vintage item. Results can be too broad, showing unrelated items, or too narrow, missing quirky products Etsy is known for. This mismatch can complicate discovering unique items.
To boost user satisfaction, Etsy could refine their search algorithms to better capture users’ search intent. By improving relevancy and precision, Etsy could help customers find what they’re looking for with less hassle. Simplifying the search experience would connect customers with the distinct treasures they seek, making their shopping journey more enjoyable and rewarding.
Common UX Mistakes You Should Avoid
While designing a website or app, the user experience should be a top priority. After all, it determines how users interact with your product and can make or break their overall experience. As such, here are some common UX mistakes you should avoid to ensure a positive user experience.
Assuming What Users Need Without User Feedback
One of the biggest mistakes that UX designers make is assuming what users need without actually understanding their wants and needs. It's crucial to conduct user research and gather feedback to truly understand your target audience and their preferences. This will help you create a user-centric design that caters to their specific needs, leading to a more satisfying experience for them.
Overwhelming Users with Too Many Options
Having too many options can be overwhelming for users, making it difficult for them to make a decision. This can lead to decision paralysis or dissatisfaction with their choice. As such, it's important to carefully consider the number of options you offer and prioritize the most relevant ones for your target audience.
Slow Load Times
Slow load times can be very frustrating for mobile users and often result in a bad experience. When a page takes too long to load, users might lose patience and leave the site altogether. This is why it’s important for designers to focus on making pages load faster. They can do this by optimizing images, simplifying the code, and making sure other elements are efficient. By doing so, they can improve load times and provide a better experience for everyone visiting the site.
Poor Information Architecture
When a website has a confusing layout and poor user flow, it can be hard for people to find what they need. To avoid this, designers should focus on creating simple and clear menus. It’s also important to use straightforward language that everyone can understand. This helps users navigate the site easily and find information without frustration.
Too Much Information at Once
Another common mistake is creating overly complicated vending machines that bombard users with too much information at once. This can be overwhelming and make it difficult for them to process everything. Designers should focus on breaking down information into smaller, bite-sized chunks so that it’s easier for users to digest. They can also use visual aids like infographics or videos to present complex information in a more engaging and understandable way.
Lack of Consistency
Consistency is key when it comes to user experience. If different pages on a website have completely different layouts or design elements, it can be confusing for users and disrupt their flow. Designers should strive to maintain consistency throughout the entire site, from font choices to color schemes and overall design aesthetic. This creates a sense of cohesiveness and familiarity for users, making it easier for them to navigate and interact with the site.
Neglecting Mobile Optimization
With the rise of mobile devices, it's crucial for websites to be optimized for different screen sizes and devices. Neglecting mobile optimization can lead to a frustrating user experience, as the site may not load properly or be difficult to navigate on smaller screens. Designers should make sure that their website is responsive and adapts to different devices, providing a seamless experience for all users.
Too Many Steps in Checkout User Flow
For e-commerce websites, the checkout process is a crucial stage in the user journey. However, many sites make the mistake of having too many steps in their checkout process, leading to cart abandonment and lost sales. It's recommended to have a streamlined and simplified checkout process, with minimal steps and distractions. For example, offering guest checkout or implementing an auto-fill feature for shipping and payment information can make the process more efficient for users.
Poor Error Messaging
UX design fails are bound to happen on websites, whether it’s a broken link or a form submission error. However, the way these errors are communicated to users can greatly impact their experience. Instead of generic error messages that provide no context, designers should strive to create clear and informative error messages that guide users towards resolving the issue. This can help reduce frustration and confusion for users.
Lack of Accessibility
Designers should strive to create websites that are accessible to all users, including those with disabilities. This can include providing alternative text for images, using color contrast that is easy to read, and ensuring keyboard navigation is available for those who cannot use a mouse. Neglecting accessibility not only excludes certain users from accessing the site but also goes against the principles of inclusivity and diversity.
The Importance of User Feedback
User feedback is a crucial aspect of UX design. It helps designers understand the needs and expectations of users and identify areas for improvement. By actively seeking and incorporating user feedback, designers can create digital products that are more intuitive, user-friendly, and effective.
There are various methods to collect user feedback, including user testing, surveys, and analytics tools. For example, WhatsApp’s delete message feature was updated based on user feedback to provide a clearer indication of what happens when a message is deleted. This change made the feature more user-friendly and reduced confusion. By listening to users and making adjustments accordingly, designers can enhance the overall user experience.
The Impact of Bad UX on Business
Bad UX design can have a significant impact on business. It can lead to decreased user engagement, lower conversion rates, and ultimately, a loss of revenue. According to a study by Forrester, a well-designed user interface could increase a website’s conversion rate by up to 200%. Conversely, a bad mobile experience can damage a brand’s reputation and customer loyalty.
For instance, a study by Microsoft found that 56% of consumers have stopped doing business with a brand due to poor customer service, which includes digital interactions. When users encounter bad UX, they are less likely to engage with the product, complete transactions, or recommend it to others. This highlights the importance of investing in good UX design to drive business success.
How to Prevent and Resolve UX Mistakes
While it's essential to be aware of common UX mistakes, it's even more crucial to know how to prevent and resolve them. Here are a few tips for designers:
Prevention Strategies
- Conduct thorough user research: Understanding your target audience and their needs is crucial in creating a successful UX design. User research can provide valuable insights into user behavior, preferences, and pain points that can inform your design decisions and enhance user experience.
- Create wireframes and prototypes: Wireframes and prototypes allow for early testing of the design before it’s fully implemented. This can help identify potential issues and make necessary changes before investing too much time and resources into the final product.
- Conduct usability testing: Usability testing involves having users interact with the design and provide feedback. This can help identify any UX issues and allow for improvements to be made before launch.
- Stay updated on industry trends and best practices: As technology and user behavior constantly evolve, it’s crucial for designers to stay informed on current trends and best practices in UX design. This can help prevent outdated or ineffective design choices.
Resolution Strategies
- Listen to user feedback: User feedback is valuable in identifying UX issues and making necessary improvements. Make sure to actively listen and address any concerns or suggestions from users.
- Analyze data and metrics: Use analytics tools to track user behavior and identify areas of the design that may be causing frustration or confusion. This can help pinpoint specific problems and guide solutions.
- Collaborate with other team members: UX design is a collaborative process, and getting input from team members can provide fresh perspectives and ideas for improving the user experience.
- Continuously iterate and improve: UX design is an ongoing process, and it's important to constantly seek ways to enhance the user experience. Don't be afraid to make changes and improvements based on feedback and data analysis.
Transforming Bad UX into Great UX
Transforming bad UX into great UX requires a user-centered approach to design. It involves conducting rigorous user research, creating user personas, and designing intuitive and user-friendly interfaces. By understanding the needs and behaviors of users, designers can create products that are tailored to their preferences.
Ongoing user testing and feedback are also essential to ensure that the digital product meets user expectations. For example, a study by Gartner found that reducing customer effort can reduce costs by up to 37%. By continuously iterating and improving the design based on user feedback, designers can create digital products that enhance the user experience and drive business success.
In summary, transforming bad UX into great UX involves a commitment to understanding and addressing user needs. By following these steps, designers can create products that not only meet but exceed user expectations, leading to increased satisfaction and business success.
