How Not to Design a Website

Opinions about what constitutes good website design can vary. Some people prioritise a sleek, modern appearance, while others believe functionality should come before everything else. In reality, an effective website needs to balance both.

The user interface covers the elements people see and interact with, including menus, buttons, forms, typography and page layouts. Learning how to improve user interface design can make a website clearer, more accessible and easier to navigate.

Here are some of the most common interface design mistakes and how they can be avoided.

Use readable and consistent fonts:

Typography has a significant effect on how easily visitors can understand and navigate a website. Decorative or unusual fonts may support a particular visual style, but they can become a problem when used for longer passages or important instructions.

Fonts should also remain consistent with the wider brand identity. Brand guidelines can establish which typefaces, weights and styles should be used, helping pages feel connected and recognisable.

Text size matters too. Copy that appears readable on one screen may be uncomfortable to read on another. Rather than relying on one fixed size, typography should adapt appropriately across desktop computers, tablets and mobile phones.

Make sure text is easy to read

Text needs sufficient contrast against its background. Light text placed over a pale image or dark text against a similarly dark colour can be difficult to distinguish, particularly for visitors with visual impairments.

Contrast should be checked across headings, body copy, buttons, form labels and navigation elements. Text placed over photography also requires particular care because the background may change considerably across different parts of the image.

Colour should never be the only method used to communicate meaning. For example, an error message could combine colour with an icon and written explanation so that every visitor can understand what has happened.

Keep navigation predictable

Visitors should not have to work out how to use your website. Menus, links and buttons should behave in ways people recognise, with clear wording that helps them anticipate where each option will lead.

Avoid hiding important information behind vague labels or creating unnecessarily complicated menus. Consistent navigation helps people move between pages without repeatedly having to reorient themselves.

Improving the interface does not always mean introducing something visually original. Familiar patterns can provide a better experience when they make the website quicker and easier to understand.

Give every call to action a purpose

Calls to action should help visitors take a relevant next step. This might involve requesting a quote, viewing a service, downloading a guide or contacting your team.

Problems arise when a page contains too many competing buttons or directs visitors towards something unrelated to the information they are reading. If every element demands attention, it becomes difficult to identify which action matters most.

Use clear wording that explains what will happen after someone clicks. A descriptive label such as “Request a website audit” is more informative than a generic instruction such as “Click here”.

Button placement, colour and size should make important actions noticeable without overwhelming the rest of the page.

Design for different screen sizes

An interface that works well on a large desktop screen may not provide the same experience on a mobile phone. Navigation can become crowded, buttons may be difficult to press and important content can be pushed too far down the page.

Responsive design allows layouts and interface elements to adapt to the available screen space. However, each version should still be tested rather than assuming that a responsive layout automatically provides good usability.

Forms, menus, links and buttons should be comfortable to use on a touchscreen, with enough space between interactive elements to prevent accidental selections.

Test the interface with real users

Designers and developers understand how a website is intended to work, but visitors encounter it without that inside knowledge. Testing can reveal unclear labels, overlooked accessibility barriers and points where people struggle to complete an action.

Analytics, session recordings and usability testing can all help identify potential problems. Changes should then be evaluated according to whether they make the website easier to use and support meaningful actions, rather than being based on appearance alone.

The most effective way to improve a user interface is to treat it as an ongoing process. New content, services and functionality can introduce fresh usability issues, so the experience should be reviewed regularly.

Create an interface that works for users

Effective interface design is not simply about making a website look modern. Fonts, contrast, navigation, calls to action and mobile layouts all influence how easily visitors can understand the content and complete their intended task.

If you want to improve user interface design across your website, Moirae can review the existing experience and create a clearer, more accessible interface shaped around your users and objectives.