8 annoying website features
When we browse online, whether it’s to research or purchase, we’re often faced with website glitches that hamper our user experience. From a long page loading time to annoying pop ups, we tend to leave these sites with a negative opinion. A poor website user experience can have a disastrous impact on your website performance stats; high bounce rates, low conversions and a poor search ranking.
We’ve gathered a list of the things most likely to frustrate your website visitors below. (Basically, what to avoid when designing or carrying out a re-design of your site!)
Watch the video:
‣ Long loading times
With internet users' expectations at an all-time high, a slow-loading website can significantly impact your bottom line. According to recent data, 53% of mobile site visitors will leave a page that takes longer than three seconds to load. Use tools like Google PageSpeed Insights, GTmetrix, and Pingdom to analyze and improve your site speed.
Long Loading Times Could Be Reduced Through:
- Optimize images
- Leverage browser caching
- Minimize JavaScript
- Use speed analysis tools
Find out more about the impact of website loading times on your bottom line.
‣ Poor navigation structure
Picture this; a visitor arrives on your homepage, greeted with no clear menu or navigation they don’t know what to click or where to go next. In their frustration, they leave and go back to Google search, click on to your competitors site where they easily find the information they need. Navigation seems like a no-brainer, but many businesses fail to provide users with straight forward steps around their site.
A clear and intuitive navigation structure is essential for retaining visitors. Ensure your menus are logically organized and easily accessible. Use tools like UserTesting to gather feedback on your navigation design. A well-structured site not only improves user experience but also enhances SEO.
Not convinced on the importance of website navigation structure?
‣ Unoptimized for mobile
With mobile devices accounting for more than half of global web traffic, having a responsive website is critical. Google’s mobile-first indexing means your site’s mobile version is considered the primary version. Ensure your design adapts to various screen sizes and is touch-friendly. Test your site using Google's Mobile-Friendly Test.
‣ Pop-up overload
While pop-ups can be effective, overusing them can drive visitors away. Instead, use them strategically:
- Exit-Intent Pop-Ups: Triggered when a user is about to leave the site.
- Time-Delayed Pop-Ups: Appears after the user has spent a certain amount of time on the site.
- Scroll-Triggered Pop-Ups: Appear when the user has scrolled down a significant portion of the page.
Ensure pop-ups are easy to close and don't obstruct the main content.
‣ Stock images
Authenticity is key. Replace generic stock photos with original images that reflect your brand's personality. Use resources like Unsplash and Pexels for high-quality, free images if custom photography is not an option.
Incorporate behind-the-scenes photos, team photos, and product images to build trust and connection with your audience.
‣ Unclear company description
Your website should clearly convey who you are, what you do, and how you can help your visitors. Create a compelling 'About Us' page that tells your story, showcases your values, and highlights your unique selling points.
Use clear headings, concise language, and a friendly tone. Include customer testimonials and case studies to build credibility.
‣ Keyword stuffing
In the past, marketers might have got away with stuffing paragraphs of copy with keywords. Not only was this overwhelming for readers to consume, it’s visual appeal was poor too. Unfortunately, some websites are still using this approach of writing for crawlers instead of humans. However, Google’s algorithm has since evolved in its ability to read page content to determine its relevancy for its users. The search engine now penalises those websites that are clearly stuffing content with keywords to reach the top-ranking position. Of course, keywords are the driving force for Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) success, but including them naturally throughout your content makes for a much better reader experience, plus you’ll keep Google happy too!
Modern SEO is about quality, not quantity. Avoid keyword stuffing, which can lead to penalties from search engines. Focus on creating valuable content that naturally incorporates keywords. Use tools like SEMrush, Ahrefs, and Moz to conduct keyword research and optimize your content for search intent.
‣ No blog
By not having a blog section on your website, you’re missing out on the chance to offer your visitors educational and promotional content. (never mind the SEO opportunities). When customers search online, they expect to be met with an array of informative, problem solving content that fuels their product/service decision making process. Essentially, when visitors find the answers to their challenges in your content, they’re more likely to trust you when they’re ready to make a purchase.
Your website is often the first point of customer contact and the first impression prospects will have of your company. If you fail to impress, you run the chance of frustrating visitors and potentially losing their business.
Does your website fall under any of the points listed above? It might be time to consider implementing some changes!
