10 Examples of Bad Web Page Design and How to Improve Them

Online visitors will first interact with your brand through your site’s pages. Poor web page designs can turn off potential clients and diminish trust. You can avoid adding bad web designs to your site with the correct information.

Studying examples of bad designs can reveal common issues and help provide important lessons to boost your site’s user experience. 

Please look at this article for ten common examples of bad web page design and what you can learn from each one. You can use lessons from each mistake to improve your web pages and stand out among competitors. 

1. Poor Navigation

Web page navigation errors can make sites appear unusable and turn away massive potential traffic. Poor navigation happens when menus are confusing or vital links are hidden under ambiguous labels. Users will struggle to locate important sections in poorly designed websites, affecting the overall experience. 

For example, a web page with scattered product links across multiple menus will likely turn users off. Site pages without hierarchical structure and categorization will require users to click through multiple submenus without knowing which links to follow. 

User frustration is common on web pages without correct navigation features. The impact of poor navigation includes:

• Higher bounce rates due to user confusion.
• Lower engagement as visitors cannot find what they need on a web page.
• Reduced credibility since the site does not have professional features. 

What you can learn

Avoid poor page navigation issues when you:

• Design clear menus and structure web page navigation to include categories with simple definitions.
• Use breadcrumb trails wisely to allow users to retrace their steps around your website’s pages easily.
• Use visual cues and hover effects to signal clickable items while improving clarity.
• Build a hierarchical menu that allows real users to reach key content easily. 
• Use analytical tools to create heat maps that help align item placement across pages according to menu relevance. 

2. Slow Loading Times

Page speed is vital for user retention. Many websites suffer from slow loading times because of uncompressed pages or poor server settings. Bulky scripts can also make web pages load a lot slower than usual. 

Pages loading too long will make users impatient and likely abandon the site. Sites with poorly optimized high-resolution images may load in 5+ seconds and trigger increased bounce rates. Many users expect websites to load within 2 seconds in line with industry best practices. The impact of slow loading times can include: 

• Increased user frustration.
• Higher abandonment rates.
• Negative effect on search engine rankings (search engines like Google usually favour fast-loading pages and sites).
• Lower conversion rates are triggered by more prolonged waiting times.

What you can learn

Best practices to avoid slow-loading pages usually involve: 

• Image optimization with compression tools to boost loading times without affecting quality.
• Using browser and server-side caching to increase loading speeds for repeat visitors. 
• Reducing the size of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript files via automation software.

You can also audit your web pages’ performance with tools like Google PageSpeed Insights. Such tools allow you to adjust image dimensions and include lazy loading where necessary. You can also consider using a content delivery network (CDN) that favours distributing load across servers. 

3. Non-Responsive Design

Non-responsive pages will fail to adjust layouts to fit the functions supported across different devices. Many users access the Internet through mobile devices like smartphones and tablets, so web pages that only look good on a desktop will frustrate a large portion of your audience. 

To avoid overlapping elements or broken navigation, A web page should reform its layout for screens on handheld devices. The impact of non-responsive designs on web pages usually includes: 

• Poor user experience that directly leads to higher bounce rates. 
• Significant loss of conversions from mobile traffic, as smartphones and tablet users now account for half of total web usage.
• Negative perception, as visitors will see brands with non-responsive pages as inattentive to users’ needs.  

What you can learn

Prevent non-responsive designs on your web pages by: 

• Using media queries and grid systems to build adaptive designs. 
• Start with designs optimized for smaller screens and scale to ensure usability across all devices.
• Perform regular tests on different devices and browsers to spot potential issues on time. 

Adopting responsive frameworks like Bootstrap can provide adaptable components that build responsive designs. 

4. Auto-Playing Media

Enabling auto-playing video or audio without user consent is a popular error in web page design. Auto-playing media overwhelms users, mainly when it contains loud music or distracting animations. Users will lose control when content on pages forces interaction like auto-playing media. 

A web page with auto-play videos enabled with loud audio will startle visitors and likely cause them to exit almost immediately. The impact of auto-playing media can lead to:

• Disrupted browsing experience that leads to quick site abandonment. 
• Increased bounce rates since users seek alternatives that guarantee them better control. 
• Negative perception of the usability and professional appearance of the web pages. 

What you can learn

Avoiding auto-playing media on web pages is possible when you: 

• Give users total control to choose when video or audio content plays on any web page they visit.
• Use auto-playing media only when it adds clear value and comes muted by default.
• Ensure media elements with auto-play functions are optimized for boosted load times and do not block other vital content. 

Replacing auto-play media with clear and user-controlled options can also help. Include visible play buttons and ensure media content does not overshadow the primary message on your web pages. Giving users control over their experience on your site improves their overall experience and reduces bounce rates. 

5. Unreadable Fonts and Poor Typography

Correct typography makes content readable and easy to identify on web pages. Using many font types and sizes can negatively affect the user experience for any visitor. Poor colour contrasts can also turn off internet users viewing your web pages. 

Some sites mix multiple fonts and use extreme decorative typefaces for long text. Others present text in colours that blend too much into the background and trigger eye strain among users who read such content. The significant impact of poor fonts and typography includes:

• Low readability of vital body content on web pages.
• Inconsistencies throughout web pages that hurt brand credibility.
• User frustration due to difficulty identifying headings, body, call-to-actions, and other text. 

What you can learn

You can create readable fonts and standard typefaces on your web pages when you:

• Limit the number of fonts needed to create cohesive designs across your site.
• Choose legible typefaces at different sizes and for various devices.
• Ensure that text colour contrasts with background colours correctly. 
• Add spacing that makes reading comfortable. 

Choose between 2 and 4 complementary fonts for all web pages on your site. Tools like Google Fonts can help you create a consistent typographic hierarchy with clear, easy-to-read headings and main text. You can also adjust fonts and spacing with CSS to maintain text clarity on all devices. 

6. Lack of Search Functionality

The search function is helpful for large websites with loads of content throughout their structure. Every web page on such sites should possess a search bar to avoid lengthy and frustrating navigation. Failing to include a query bar on pages can lead to drops in potential conversions. 

Some sites omit search bars on all web pages and force users to rely on navigation menus. Navigating across pages on such sites will result in excessive clicks and an overall poor experience. Omitting search functions can:

• Reduce user efficiency and lead to immediate site abandonment in many cases.
• Increase cognitive load as users try too hard to remember the location of information on pages.
• Negative user experience on sites with many content-heavy pages.  

What you can learn

Adopt the steps below to create fully functional and easy-to-use search bars on your site’s pages:

• A visible and well-placed search bar on web pages helps users navigate sites easily and promotes visitor satisfaction. 
• Intelligent search functions help users quickly locate products or information with suggested keyword links.
• Search functions should integrate into the design and complement your site’s aesthetic.

You can include the search function in the header or sidebar of pages on your site. You can also add plugin functions or use inbuilt CMS features like WordPress native search to boost search speed and accuracy. 

7. Excessive Pop-Ups and Ads

Pop-ups and ads aim to drive revenue but can hurt users’ overall experience. Sites that bombard visitors with multiple pop-ups or ads will disrupt the flow of content and cause visual clutter across pages. 

Many sites make this mistake by allowing unsolicited pop-ups to distract users from core content on pages. Too many pop-ups and ads can:

• Interrupt users and hinder consumption of content.
• Trigger higher bounce rates due to user frustration.
• Increase user irritation and create a perception of brand unprofessionalism. 
• This causes low overall engagement as users’ focus shifts from web page content to annoying ads.

What you can learn

Prevent this web page design from reducing conversions when you:

• Use pop-ups sparingly and ensure they appear only during appropriate periods (end of web page or during user exit).
• Ensure only targeted ads that are relevant to the interests of users.
• Limit pop-up overlays and ensure each ad has a clear exit option to maintain clean page designs.

8. Cluttered Page Layout

Packed page layouts can present too much information in an unorganized manner. Overusing graphics and adopting inconsistent spacing can make visitors see your content as chaotic. Such a problem can make users see every page as appearing for attention and leave no clear focus or path for navigation. Cluttered page layouts can cause: 

• Users may experience difficulty while processing or retaining information. 
• Reduced conversion rates from too much presentation that leads to user confusion. 
• Lower aesthetic appeal causes site abandonment.  

What you can learn

You can build a structured layout on web pages by: 

• Removing non-essential elements to streamline page designs. 
• Organizing content using clear headings in a logical form. 
• Using adequate whitespace should be used to separate content sections and make pages easier to read. 

You can adopt a minimalist approach to structuring web page layouts. Prioritize essential content and use grid layouts to create visual balance across pages. Assess user feedback and identify clutter areas while refining the page layout. 

9. Lack of Clear Call-to-Action

Call-to-action (CTA) buttons guide users towards the outcome you desire on every webpage. CTAs can help secure a purchase, get user sign-ups for newsletters, or act as contact buttons. Bad CTA designs can hide these functional buttons among other elements. Unclear CTAs placed poorly could cause users to struggle understanding expected actions and reduce conversion rates. 

Poor CTAs can trigger reduced conversion rates due to unclear guidance. Unclear CTAs can also lower engagement since users do not know how to proceed. Poor CTA alignment leads to missed business opportunities as leads go unconverted throughout a user’s time on web pages. 

What you can learn

Avoid unclear CTAs by: 

• Adding well-crafted action buttons that show direct information and leave no doubt about desired actions. 
• Designing CTAs with colour contrasts and bold placement to capture users’ attention. 
• Ensuring each landing page has a single and clear CTA to prevent user confusion. 

Designing CTAs that use action-oriented language remains a sure winner. Add action words like “Get Started,” “Buy Now,” and others to capture your audience’s attention. Position the CTA correctly so users can spot this content naturally. 

10. Complex Registration Processes

Registration is a vital step for user engagement, especially in membership-based websites. User frustration is likely when web pages require complex registration processes while attempting to create accounts. Such complicated processes naturally lead to lost conversions. 

Registration forms that require many fields are not intuitive and can create friction that blocks users from accessing content through your web page. Such cumbersome processes can:

• Lower registration and conversion rates due to complex requirements. 
• Trigger user frustration and increase abandonment rates at the sign-up stage. 
• Heighten negative impressions of website pages and affect long-term user engagement. 

What you can learn

You can make account registration through your web pages more convenient by:

• Asking for only essential information during sign-up.
• Allowing users to provide additional details over time rather than all at once. 
• Third-party login options (via Apple, Google, or Facebook) should be added to encourage fast sign-up. 

Redesign your registration forms to keep them short and focus on essential information. Use clear labels and inline validation to reduce sign-up mistakes. 

FAQs

How do loading times affect user experience?

Slow loading times frustrate users and negatively impact your website’s visibility. Conversions are also less likely on pages that do not guarantee near-instant loading speeds. 

Why should auto-playing media be avoided?

Autoplay media directly increases bounce rates and can trigger user annoyance across pages. Leaving media with autoplay enabled on your pages will likely disrupt user control and increase dissatisfaction with your content. 

What role does a search function play on a website?

Search bars help improve the usability of your web pages by allowing users to seek specific information within moments. Sites with heavy content across pages can achieve faster user navigation with smart search bars. 

What is the effect of a cluttered layout?

A cluttered layout can overwhelm users and make focusing on important content difficult. Overloaded layouts will directly affect general engagement and almost certainly increase bounce rates. 

How do complex registration processes affect conversions?

Complex registration forms discourage users from signing up for an account. Such complicated processes lead to lower conversions and more missed opportunities. 

Conclusion 

Bad web page designs can significantly affect your site’s user experience and overall performance. Examine the examples of bad web page designs and how they can affect site performance. Take advantage of the lessons you can learn from each bad design to build a responsive website with pages that increase the chances of conversions.  

If you want help improving your overall web page design, our team at Slade Marketing is happy to give you a free consultantation!