Designing a high converting website is about so much more than making it look appealing and quite often, there are elements to a website that make the user experience less than desirable.

The analogy here is that they will walk straight out the door and your bounce rate will sky rocket.

Ever wondered what a bounce rate is? It’s the speed at which your user is clicking away from your website.

Obviously, this is something you want to avoid, especially for SEO.

So in no particular order, here are some of the things users mostly dislike about website.

Slow Loading Times

One of the top complaints users have about websites is slow loading times.

In a fast-paced world, nobody likes to wait for a page to load.

Studies have shown that even a one-second delay in loading time can significantly impact user experience and lead to higher bounce rates.

To counter this, website owners and designers must optimise images and invest in fast, reliable hosting services to ensure a seamless browsing experience.

Annoying Pop-ups and Advertisements

Pop-ups and intrusive advertisements can turn a pleasant browsing experience into a big turn off.

While advertising is essential for website monetisation, the key lies in striking the right balance between revenue generation and user satisfaction.

Implementing non-intrusive ad placements and providing users with an option to close pop-ups will create a more positive impression of the website.

Complicated Navigation

A confusing website layout and navigation are surefire ways to drive users away.

Visitors expect intuitive and user-friendly navigation that allows them to find what they need quickly.

A clear menu structure, easily accessible search functionality, and calls to action to help users navigate effortlessly through the site is a must.

Autoplay Media

Ever clicked on a website only to be bombarded with autoplaying videos or music. Annoying huh!

Autoplay media can be intrusive, disrupt the browsing experience, and sometimes even lead users to hurriedly exit the site.

Providing users with control over media playback and an option to enable or disable autoplay will go a long way in earning their favor.

Lack of Mobile Responsiveness

With the prevalence of mobile devices, it's no surprise that users are increasingly accessing websites from their smartphones and tablets.

Websites that fail to adapt to various screen sizes and devices frustrate users who have to pinch, zoom, and scroll excessively to access content.

Employing responsive web design is absolutely crucial to providing a seamless experience across all platforms.

Excessive Clutter and Ads

A cluttered website overwhelms visitors and distracts them from the primary content. Too many ads can also give the impression of a low-quality website. A clean, organised layout with a limited number of ads (or preferably none at all) will help to make the user’s experience more positive.

Lack of Contact Information

Transparency and accessibility are essential for building trust with users. Websites without clear contact information and or social media links are a major red flag. Users are often on a website as part of their research into your business and without being able to take the next step and contact you will mean they will walk away.

The key takeaway here is ensuring that your user’s experience is always top of mind when you’re designing or updating your website and that their expectations are high.