12 Things People Dislike About Websites (And How to Fix Them)

Why User Experience Matters

User experience, often referred to as UX, is all about how people interact with your website. A positive user experience helps visitors find information quickly, builds confidence in your business and makes it easy for them to get in touch. A poor user experience does the opposite, leading to frustration, abandoned visits and missed opportunities.

A well-designed website can also support your search engine optimisation (SEO). Google wants to recommend websites that provide a positive experience, which is why factors such as page speed, mobile usability and helpful content all play a role in search rankings.

The good news is that many of the most common website problems are easy to identify and fix. Even small improvements can make a noticeable difference to how visitors interact with your website and whether they choose to become customers.

GRAB A COFFEE AND LET’S GET INTO THE DETAILS!

1. Slow Loading Pages

Few things frustrate website visitors more than waiting for a page to load. In today's fast-paced digital world, people expect websites to appear almost instantly. If your pages take too long, many visitors will leave before they've even had a chance to learn about your business.

Slow loading speeds don't just affect the user experience. They can also impact your search engine rankings, as page speed is one of the many factors Google considers when determining where your website appears in search results.

Large image files, outdated plugins, poor quality hosting and unnecessary scripts are some of the most common causes of a slow website.

How to improve page speed:

Compress and resize images before uploading them.
Remove plugins or features you no longer use.
Choose reliable web hosting that meets your business needs.
Regularly update your website to keep it running efficiently.

Key takeaway: A faster website creates a better first impression, keeps visitors engaged and can help improve your search visibility.

2. Poor Mobile Experience

More people browse the internet on their phones than ever before. If your website isn't easy to use on a mobile device, you're likely losing potential customers.

A poor mobile experience might include text that's too small to read, buttons that are difficult to tap, images that don't scale properly or pages that require endless zooming and scrolling. These frustrations often cause visitors to leave and look elsewhere.

A mobile-friendly website should adapt seamlessly to different screen sizes while making it easy for visitors to find information, contact your business or make a purchase.

How to improve your mobile experience:

Use a responsive website design.
Test your website on different phones and tablets.
Make buttons large enough to tap comfortably.
Keep forms short and easy to complete.
Ensure text is readable without zooming.

Key takeaway: Designing for mobile isn't optional. It's essential for creating a positive experience and converting visitors into customers.

3. Confusing Navigation

When people visit your website, they shouldn't have to think too hard about where to click next. If your navigation is cluttered or confusing, visitors can quickly become frustrated and leave without finding the information they need.

A well-organised menu helps users move naturally through your website. Whether someone wants to learn about your services, read your latest blog posts or contact your business, they should be able to get there in just a few clicks.

Simple navigation also helps search engines understand your website's structure, making it easier for your pages to be indexed.

How to improve your navigation:

Keep your main menu concise.
Use clear, descriptive page names.
Group related information together.
Include internal links to guide visitors to relevant content.
Make your contact information easy to find.

Key takeaway: Clear navigation helps visitors stay on your website longer and makes it easier for them to take the next step.

4. Too Many Pop-ups

Pop-ups can be an effective marketing tool when they're used thoughtfully. However, if visitors are greeted with multiple pop-ups before they've even started reading your content, the experience quickly becomes frustrating.

Constant interruptions can make your website feel cluttered and overwhelming. Visitors may simply close the page rather than dismissing several pop-ups before accessing the information they came for.

Instead, think carefully about when and why you're displaying a pop-up. It should offer genuine value, whether that's a special offer, newsletter signup or downloadable resource.

How to use pop-ups effectively:

Limit the number of pop-ups on each page.
Avoid showing pop-ups immediately after the page loads.
Ensure they're easy to close on both desktop and mobile.
Only use pop-ups when they provide something valuable to the visitor.

Key takeaway: Pop-ups should enhance the user experience, not interrupt it. A well-timed, relevant message is far more effective than constantly competing for your visitor's attention.

5. Weak Calls to Action

You've invested time and money into getting visitors to your website, but what happens next? If there's no clear call to action (CTA), people may leave without taking the next step simply because they don't know what you want them to do.

A call to action guides visitors towards a specific goal, whether that's requesting a quote, booking a consultation, calling your business or making an enquiry. Without one, even the most informative website can miss out on valuable leads.

Your CTA should stand out on the page, use clear language and appear in logical places throughout your website. Rather than relying on a single button at the bottom of the page, include opportunities for visitors to take action as they read.

How to create stronger calls to action:

Use action-focused text such as "Request a Quote", "Book a Consultation" or "Contact Us".
Place CTAs throughout longer pages, not just at the end.
Make buttons easy to see with plenty of surrounding white space.
Tailor your CTA to the page's purpose.

Key takeaway: Don't make visitors guess what to do next. A clear call to action gives them confidence and makes it easier to get in touch.

6. Outdated Website Design

Your website doesn't need to follow every design trend, but it should look modern, professional and reflect the quality of your business. An outdated website can make visitors question whether your business is still active or if the information they’re reading is current.

Design trends change over time, but good design is always clean, easy to navigate and focused on the user. Old fonts, low-quality images, cluttered layouts and inconsistent branding can all make a website feel dated.

Refreshing your website every few years doesn't necessarily mean starting from scratch. Sometimes small improvements, such as updating imagery, simplifying layouts or improving typography, can make a significant difference.

Ways to modernise your website:

Replace outdated images with high-quality photography.
Refresh colours and typography to improve readability.
Remove unnecessary clutter and simplify page layouts.
Review your content to ensure it's accurate and relevant.

Key takeaway: A modern website builds trust and shows visitors that your business is professional, active and invested in providing a great experience.

7. Hard-to-Read Content

Even the most valuable information won't help if it's difficult to read. Large blocks of text, complicated language and poor formatting can quickly overwhelm visitors, especially when they're scanning for answers.

People rarely read every word on a webpage. Instead, they skim headings, bullet points and short paragraphs to find the information they're looking for. Making your content easy to scan improves the user experience and encourages visitors to stay on your website longer.

Writing in plain English doesn't mean oversimplifying your message. It means communicating clearly and avoiding unnecessary jargon.

How to make your content easier to read:

Break content into short paragraphs.
Use clear headings and subheadings.
Include bullet points where appropriate.
Write in plain English and avoid unnecessary jargon.
Use plenty of white space to improve readability.

Key takeaway: Clear, well-structured content keeps visitors engaged and helps them find the information they need more quickly.

8. Broken Links and Website Errors

Nothing undermines confidence in a website faster than clicking on a link that leads nowhere. Broken links, missing images, outdated information and error pages can make your business appear neglected, even if that's not the case.

Website maintenance is often overlooked, but it's an important part of creating a positive user experience. Regularly checking your website helps ensure everything works as expected and that visitors always have access to accurate information.

It's also worth reviewing older blog posts and service pages from time to time. Updating statistics, replacing outdated links and refreshing content can improve both user experience and search performance.

How to keep your website healthy:

Check for broken links regularly.
Fix missing images and formatting issues.
Keep plugins, themes and software up to date.
Review older content to ensure it's still accurate.
Create a helpful custom 404 page that guides visitors back to useful content.

Key takeaway: Regular website maintenance keeps your website professional, trustworthy and working as it should.

9. Long Contact Forms

If someone's ready to get in touch, don't make them jump through hoops. A lengthy contact form can feel like too much effort, especially if you're asking for information that isn't needed at the first point of contact.

Most visitors simply want a quick and easy way to ask a question, request a quote or book a consultation. The more fields they have to complete, the more likely they are to abandon the form altogether.

Instead, keep things simple. You can always gather more information later once you've started the conversation.

How to improve your contact forms:

Only ask for essential information, such as name, email and phone number.
Make required fields clear.
Ensure forms are easy to complete on mobile devices.
Include a confirmation message so visitors know their enquiry has been received.

Key takeaway: A simple contact form removes friction and makes it easier for potential customers to take the next step.

10. Missing Trust Signals

Before contacting a business, most people want reassurance that they're making the right choice. If your website doesn't include trust signals, visitors may hesitate, even if your products or services are exactly what they're looking for.

Trust signals show that you're a legitimate business with real customers and a proven track record. They help reduce uncertainty and give visitors confidence to enquire or make a purchase.

Think about the last time you booked a service or bought something online. Chances are you looked for reviews, testimonials or examples of previous work before making a decision. Your customers are no different.

Effective trust signals include:

Customer testimonials and Google reviews.
Case studies and examples of completed projects.
Industry awards, memberships or certifications.
Client logos (where appropriate).
Years in business and team experience.
Clear contact details, including your phone number and business address.

Where possible, place trust signals throughout your website rather than keeping them on a single testimonials page. Reinforcing your credibility at key decision points can help turn more visitors into enquiries.

Key takeaway: People do business with companies they trust. Make it easy for visitors to see why they should choose you.

11. Auto-playing Videos or Audio

Videos can be a great way to showcase your business, explain your services or introduce your team. However, automatically playing videos or audio as soon as someone lands on your website can have the opposite effect.

Unexpected sound can be distracting or embarrassing, especially if someone is browsing in a workplace or public space. It can also slow down page loading times and make your website feel intrusive.

Instead, let visitors decide when they want to watch or listen. A well-designed video thumbnail with a clear play button is usually all that's needed.

Best practice for website videos:

Avoid videos or audio that play automatically.
Optimise video files so they don't affect page speed.
Include captions where possible.
Make sure videos provide useful information rather than distracting from the page.

Key takeaway: Videos should support your content, not interrupt the browsing experience.

12. Poor Accessibility

An accessible website is one that everyone can use, including people with vision, hearing or mobility impairments. Improving accessibility isn't just about meeting best practice. It also creates a better experience for all visitors.

Simple changes such as improving colour contrast, adding descriptive alt text to images and ensuring buttons are easy to use can make a significant difference. Clear headings, meaningful link text and logical page structure also help people navigate your website more easily.

Accessibility is becoming increasingly important as web standards continue to evolve, and it's something every business should consider when designing or updating a website.

Ways to improve website accessibility:

Use clear colour contrast between text and backgrounds.
Add descriptive alt text to images.
Make links meaningful rather than using "click here".
Ensure buttons and menus can be used easily on all devices.
Structure pages with clear headings and logical content flow.

Key takeaway: An accessible website reaches more people, creates a better user experience and demonstrates that your business values every visitor.

Not sure how your website stacks up? Use this quick checklist to identify common issues that could be affecting your visitors' experience and your enquiry rate.

Use this quick checklist to see how your website measures up. If you answer No to several of these questions, it may be time to make a few improvements.

☐ Does your website load quickly (within a few seconds)?

☐ Is your website easy to use on a mobile phone or tablet?

☐ Can visitors find the information they need within a few clicks?

☐ Is your navigation simple and easy to understand?

☐ Are your calls to action clear and easy to find?

☐ Is your contact form short and easy to complete?

☐ Do you display customer reviews, testimonials or case studies?

☐ Have you checked for broken links and outdated content recently?

☐ Is your content easy to read with clear headings and short paragraphs?

☐ Does your website look modern and professional?

☐ Are your images high quality and optimised for fast loading?

☐ Is your website accessible, with good colour contrast and descriptive alt text for images?

How did you score?

10 to 12 Yes answers: Great work! Your website is providing a positive experience for visitors.

7 to 9 Yes answers: Your website is performing well, but there are opportunities to improve usability and increase enquiries.

6 or fewer Yes answers: Your website could be holding your business back. Addressing these common issues can improve user experience, build trust and help convert more visitors into customers.

Need some help?

If your website didn't score as well as you'd hoped, I can help. I build websites that are fast, easy to use and built to generate enquiries for Australian businesses.

Book a website consultationand let's discuss how I can improve your website's performance.

Susie Styler

Hi, I'm Susie, founder of GRID Marketing.

I'm a Squarespace Circle Gold Member with six years of website design experience and more than 14 years supporting Australian small businesses.

I specialise in creating beautiful, strategic Squarespace and Wix websites that are easy to manage and designed to help businesses build trust and generate more enquiries.

Based in the Adelaide Hills, I work with clients Australia-wide on website design, redesigns, website updates and VIP Design Days.

https://www.gridmarketing.com.au