5 common UX issues
As a UX designer, I’ve had the chance to audit a wide range of websites, from startups to established brands. Each website has its own purpose and goals, but I see similar UX patterns pop up time and time again.
These are not mistakes. They are common areas where user experience can be smoother, or more accessible. Spotting them is the first step toward creating a more user-centred website.
Let’s jump into my top 5 observations.
Links which are not clickable
This might sound simple and obvious, but I have seen this in every audit I’ve ever done! The common culprit is email addresses. As a user you hover over an email address expecting it to be clickable, but instead it’s static text. At this point a user will likely do 2 things. They will copy and paste the email address into their email provider, or they don't bother and leave the page. You don't want to miss out on a potential enquiry. You also don't want to add 2 more clicks to a user's journey. It's a clunky experience and it's unexpected link behaviour. Remember - always hyperlink email addresses!
Inconsistent design patterns
Inconsistent design patterns can create friction in an otherwise good experience. If a website uses different interface patterns for the same action, it forces users to relearn behaviours. For example, using two types of navigation for similar pages. This can break flow, cause confusion and increase cognitive load. Using patterns consistently helps to build trust and predictability. This is important when users are trying to complete tasks efficiently. A clear and well documented design system or style guide can prevent this. Even a simple one can help consistent use of components across your website.
Lack of mobile optimisation
Mobiles make up significant web traffic, yet I still come across sites that aren’t fully optimised for smaller screens. Elements overlap, tap targets are too small, and layouts break down in ways that make navigation frustrating. A poor mobile experience can cause your users to bounce before they even engage. Designing mobile first and testing on different screen sizes helps create a smooth experience on all devices.
Over-complicated forms
Forms are often the last step before a conversion, such as a customer enquiry, a purchase or a download. If forms are overly complicated, they can become a blocker. Forms which ask for unnecessary information, are too long, or have unclear error messages can create friction. These things can discourage your users from completing a form which in turn could me a loss of income or an important lead. Simplify forms wherever possible. Grouping related fields and providing helpful feedback can go a long way in improving completion rates.
Accessibility oversights
This is a big topic and one which deserves an article (more than 1 article!) to itself! The main point I’d like to raise here is, accessibility should be baked into the start of every web project. It’s not something to add at the end of the design process. Common issues I flag include low colour contrast between text and backgrounds and missing focus states for keyboard users. These barriers not only exclude users with disabilities, but they affect usability for everyone. Building with accessibility in mind from the start ensures your site works well for a wider audience and meets essential web accessibility guidelines.
To wrap up
So those are my top 5 common UX issues along with a few suggestions on how to tackle them. I hope this helps you spot similar patterns in your own work or gives you something to bring to your next project.
If any of these stood out to you, or if you’ve noticed different UX challenges in your own audits, I’d love to hear your thoughts. Feel free to leave a comment whether you're a designer or someone just starting to explore UX.
And if you're working on a website and would like a fresh pair of eyes on your user experience, feel free to get in touch. I’m always happy to chat and see how I can help.