Even the most experienced designers fall into common UX traps. Whether due to time pressure, stakeholder demands, or habit, these mistakes can cost users time, trust, and patience. Here are 10 UI/UX missteps that still show up far too often—and how to fix them.
Overcomplicating the Interface
Mistake: Trying to cram too much information or functionality onto one screen.
Result: Users feel overwhelmed and don’t know where to start.
Fix it: Embrace whitespace. Prioritize core actions. Guide users with visual hierarchy and progressive disclosure.
Ignoring Mobile Optimization
Mistake: Designing primarily for desktop, treating mobile as an afterthought.
Result: Clunky layouts, tiny tap targets, and broken flows on smaller screens.
Fix it: Design mobile-first. Test with real devices. Prioritize thumb-friendly navigation and clear touch feedback.
Using Low Contrast Text
Mistake: Trendy but unreadable light gray text on white backgrounds.
Result: Accessibility and readability issues—especially for visually impaired users.
Fix it: Meet or exceed WCAG contrast guidelines. Use tools like Stark or WebAIM’s contrast checker.
Hiding Important Actions
Mistake: Burying core actions in dropdowns, tiny icons, or hidden menus.
Result: Users get lost or abandon tasks entirely.
Fix it: Make primary actions visible and easy to find. Follow platform conventions and reduce cognitive load.
Inconsistent UI Patterns
Mistake: Buttons, forms, or navigation behave differently across screens.
Result: Users feel confused or frustrated—they lose trust in the system.
Fix it: Use a design system. Ensure consistent components, spacing, and interaction feedback throughout the product.
Lack of Feedback for User Actions
Mistake: Clicking a button does nothing. Submitting a form feels like it vanished.
Result: Users think the product is broken or unresponsive.
Fix it: Provide instant visual feedback (loading indicators, confirmation messages, animations) for every key action.
Overusing Tooltips, Modals, and Popups
Mistake: Bombarding users with overlays, walkthroughs, or tutorials instead of fixing bad design.
Result: Fatigue, annoyance, or dismissal of helpful info.
Fix it: Make the interface intuitive. Use just-in-time guidance, and avoid interrupting the core flow unless truly necessary.
Ignoring Real User Behavior
Mistake: Designing based on assumptions or personal preferences, not data or feedback.
Result: Features go unused. Flows don’t match user expectations.
Fix it: Test early and often. Use usability studies, heatmaps, analytics, and interviews to inform decisions.
Not Designing for Accessibility
Mistake: No keyboard navigation, unlabeled buttons, inaccessible color schemes.
Result: Entire user groups are excluded from the experience.
Fix it: Build accessibility into your process. Use semantic HTML, proper alt text, and test with screen readers and keyboard input.
Designing for Aesthetics Over Usability
Mistake: Choosing flashy design trends that sacrifice function (e.g., illegible fonts, confusing layouts, microtext).
Result: Users may admire the design—but leave frustrated.
Fix it: Prioritize clarity, hierarchy, and ease of use. A beautiful interface means nothing if it doesn’t help users succeed.
Final Thought
Great design isn’t just what looks good—it’s what works well. Avoiding these common UI/UX pitfalls can drastically improve the user experience, drive retention, and build user trust.
Design for real people, in real situations, with real limitations—and you’ll always be ahead of the curve.