It’s no secret that the web design industry is constantly evolving. As new technologies come about, we must adapt our designs to reflect these changes. However, there are some outdated web design practices that you need to avoid at all costs. By avoiding the practices outlined below, you’ll ensure that your website is up-to-date and looking its best.
Tacky Stock Photos
A good stock photo can make a huge difference to your website design. It can help to add professionalism and polish to an otherwise bland website or blog. However, using tacky stock photos can have the opposite effect, making your site look dated and unprofessional.
Worse yet, using those cheesy stock photos that are used on every other website can actually turn potential customers away. It prevents you from standing out from competitors and takes away from anything that makes you unique.
Auto-playing music or video
Auto-playing music or video can be annoying and intrusive, especially if it’s unexpected. Not only is this disruptive, but it can also be a drain on the user’s resources. It can also be a drain on the user’s data allowance.
To improve your user experience, it’s best to avoid auto-playing music or video on your website.
Complicated Navigation
Good navigation is key to a positive user experience. Websites and apps that are difficult to navigate are quickly abandoned in favour of those that are easy to use. When designing navigation, simplicity should be the goal.
Users should be able to find a page, go back, and get somewhere else without any difficulty. This can be achieved by using clear labelling, logical grouping, and consistent layouts.
Intrusive pop-ups
Intrusive pop-ups have long been a source of user frustration. They are often used to promote special offers or prompt visitors to sign up for a newsletter, but they can also be disruptive and difficult to close. As a result, many users have taken to blocking pop-ups altogether, which can hurt your website’s conversion rate. If you must use pop-ups on your site, make sure they are non-intrusive and easy to close. Otherwise, you risk turning away potential customers and damaging your user experience.
By avoiding the practices outlined above, you’ll ensure that your website is up-to-date and looking its best. Keep in mind that web design is an ever-evolving field, so be sure to stay up-to-date on the latest trends and technologies, and consider working with the Dundee web design agency DLR Media for support growing your business online.
