Web design trends come and go, but some stick around for longer than others. However, not all trends are created equal. Some trends can be visually pleasing, while others can be annoying or even harmful to the user experience. In this article, we will take a look at some of the web design trends to avoid.
1. Auto-Play Videos and Audio
Auto-play videos and audio are often seen as intrusive and annoying by users. They can be distracting and make it difficult for users to focus on the content they came to see. In addition, they can slow down the loading time of a website, which can be frustrating for users.
2. Pop-Ups and Modals
Pop-ups and modals can be useful for capturing email addresses or promoting a special offer, but they can also be annoying and disruptive to the user experience. If you must use pop-ups or modals, make sure they are easy to close and don't interfere with the user's ability to navigate the site.
3. Infinite Scrolling
Infinite scrolling can be a great way to keep users engaged on a website, but it can also be frustrating if users can't find what they are looking for. If you must use infinite scrolling, make sure there is a clear way for users to navigate back to the top of the page.
4. Too Much Text
Too much text can be overwhelming for users, especially on mobile devices where screen real estate is limited. Make sure your content is concise and easy to read.
5. Too Many Fonts
Using too many fonts can make your website look cluttered and unprofessional. Stick to a few fonts that complement each other and use them consistently throughout your site.
6. Stock Photos
Stock photos can be a great way to add visual interest to your site, but they can also make your site look generic and impersonal. If you must use stock photos, try to find ones that are unique and relevant to your brand.
7. Slow Loading Times
Slow loading times can be frustrating for users and can lead to a high bounce rate. Make sure your website is optimized for speed by compressing images and minimizing the use of unnecessary plugins and scripts.
8. Pop-Up Ads
Pop-up ads are one of the most annoying forms of advertising on the internet. They can be difficult to close and can interfere with the user's ability to navigate the site. Avoid using pop-up ads if possible.
9. Overcomplicated Navigation
Overcomplicated navigation can be confusing for users and can make it difficult for them to find what they are looking for. Keep your navigation simple and intuitive.
10. Cluttered Design
Design plays a crucial role in the success of a website. A cluttered design can be overwhelming for users and can make it difficult for them to navigate and find what they are looking for. Moreover, it can also give the impression of an unprofessional and poorly designed website. Therefore, it's important to keep your design simple and clean, so that users can easily understand your website's purpose and enjoy a positive user experience.
11. Text-Heavy Homepages
Your homepage is the first thing users will see when they visit your site, so it's important to make a good first impression. Avoid text-heavy homepages and focus on visual elements that showcase your brand.
12. Poor Mobile Optimization
More and more users are accessing the internet on their mobile devices, so it's important to makesure your site is optimized for mobile. A site that is difficult to navigate or read on a mobile device can turn users off and lead to a high bounce rate.
13. Non-Responsive Design
Similar to poor mobile optimization, a non-responsive design can be frustrating for users and make your site look outdated. Make sure your site is responsive and adjusts to different screen sizes and resolutions.
14. Poor Accessibility
Accessibility is an important consideration for all websites, as it ensures that users with disabilities can navigate and use your site effectively. Make sure your site meets accessibility standards, including providing alt text for images and using clear and readable fonts.
15. Overuse of Animations
Animations can add visual interest to your site, but they can also be distracting and slow down your site's loading time. Use animations sparingly and make sure they serve a purpose.
16. Use of Outdated Design Elements
Some design elements, such as drop shadows and gradients, can look outdated and make your site look old-fashioned. Keep up with current design trends and use modern design elements.
17. Too many social media buttons
Social media buttons can be a great way to encourage users to share your content, but too many of them can clutter your site and distract users from your main content. Stick to a few social media buttons that are relevant to your brand.
18. Poor color contrast
Poor color contrast can make your site difficult to read and navigate, especially for users with visual impairments. Make sure to use colors
Below is a list of some more web design trends to avoid.
- Overuse of Sliders
- Broken Links
- Flash
- Using PDFs instead of web pages
- Overuse of parallax scrolling
- Underlining non-links
- Background music
- Outdated copyright dates
- Using too many colors
- Text that is too small
- Text that is too close to the edge of the screen
- Not using HTTPS
- Not optimizing images for the web
There are many web design trends that you can use, but make sure that the ones that you use are good and provide an enjoyable user experience. If you choose bad design trends for your website, it will negatively effect the user's view of your website and their experience, making it harder to get more people to go to it. At WebTech Solutions, we help you avoid these bad web design trends and make a website that people will enjoy. If you are interested in a website with us, click
here for a free quote.