Common mistakes that ruin user experience and how to fix them
When developers build interfaces without proper UX/UI consideration, users suffer. Great code with poor interface design creates frustrating experiences that drive users away.
This guide highlights the 17 most common UX/UI mistakes made by developers who aren't designers.
💡 Toggle the switches to view before-and-after examples of each sin! For the best experience, a desktop screen size is recommended.
Too large or too small elements damage readability and waste valuable screen real estate, forcing unnecessary scrolling and limiting content visibility.
This text is too small to read comfortably, creating strain and frustration for users trying to consume content.
This text is comfortably readable, making content consumption effortless for users of all ages and vision abilities.
Using technical date formats like 2025-03-03T15:00:00 confuses users and clutters interfaces with unnecessary information like seconds or timezone offsets.
| Task | Due Date |
|---|---|
| Website redesign | 2025-03-05T13:00:00+00:00 |
| Database migration | 2025-03-07T09:30:00+00:00 |
| Task | Due Date |
|---|---|
| Website redesign | Mar 5, 1:00 PM |
| Database migration | Mar 7, 9:30 AM |
Technical error messages without clear explanations or suggested solutions frustrate users and prevent them from resolving issues efficiently.
Error: Form submission failed (code: ERR_VAL_1042)
Invalid card number
Please check your card number and try again. It should be 16 digits with no spaces.
Side-by-side components with different heights create visual imbalance and a disorganized appearance, making the interface feel unprofessional and unfinished.
Essential features
Advanced features for professionals
Priority support
Team collaboration
Complete solution for organizations
24/7 support
Essential features
Advanced features for professionals
Priority support
Team collaboration
Complete solution for organizations
24/7 support
Custom integrations
Arbitrarily positioned elements with no clear organization pattern create confusion and force users to hunt for what they need.
Random margins and paddings create visual noise, disrupt the rhythm of the interface, and make content harder to scan and understand.
Learn the fundamentals of CSS Grid layout
Understand how Promises work
Learn the fundamentals of CSS Grid layout
Understand how Promises work
Essential elements or actions placed illogically force users to hunt for what they need, creating frustration and reducing task completion rates.
John Smith
123 Main St
New York, NY 10001
John Smith
123 Main St
New York, NY 10001
Cramming too many features and information into a single view overwhelms users and makes it difficult to focus on completing tasks.
24
12
56
John updated Task #123
Sarah commented on Project Alpha
New deadline set for Project Beta
Michael uploaded new files
Team meeting scheduled for tomorrow
| Name | Status | Team | Progress | Actions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Website Redesign | In Progress | Design | 75% |
|
24
12
56
| Project Name | Status | Progress | Actions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Website Redesign | In Progress |
|
When everything looks equally important, users can't identify what to focus on, making interfaces confusing and overwhelming.
Subscription Confirmation
Thank you for subscribing to our service!
Your subscription will begin immediately.
You have selected: Premium Plan
Billing: $29.99/month
Next billing date: April 5, 2025
Your subscription includes:
- Unlimited downloads
- Premium support
- Early access to new features
You can manage your subscription at any time by visiting your account settings.
Return to Dashboard
View Subscription Details
Cancel Subscription
Your Premium Plan is now active
Cramped, dense text with insufficient line spacing reduces readability and causes eye strain, making content harder to consume.
Last updated: March 1, 2025
This Privacy Policy describes how we collect, use, and disclose your personal information when you use our service. By using our service, you agree to the collection and use of information in accordance with this policy.
While using our service, we may ask you to provide us with certain personally identifiable information that can be used to contact or identify you. This may include, but is not limited to, your email address, name, phone number, and postal address.
We collect this information for the purpose of providing the service, identifying and communicating with you, responding to your requests, and improving our services.
Last updated: March 1, 2025
This Privacy Policy describes how we collect, use, and disclose your personal information when you use our service. By using our service, you agree to the collection and use of information in accordance with this policy.
While using our service, we may ask you to provide us with certain personally identifiable information that can be used to contact or identify you. This may include, but is not limited to, your email address, name, phone number, and postal address.
We collect this information for the purpose of providing the service, identifying and communicating with you, responding to your requests, and improving our services.
Poor contrast, inconsistent color usage, and random text colors create visual confusion and make content hard to read, especially for users with vision impairments.
13,234 visits
+22% from last month
$42,543
+15% from last month
13,234 visits
+22% from last month
$42,543
+15% from last month
Missing visual or interactive feedback (loading indicators, success messages, error notifications) leaves users uncertain about system status and action results.
Message Sent!
We've received your message and will respond within 24 hours.
When hover, active, disabled, and focus states vary unpredictably across an interface, users become confused about what is clickable and what isn't.
Not guiding users through multi-step processes leaves them confused about what to do next and where to click, increasing abandonment rates.
Interfaces that break on small screens force mobile users to pinch, zoom, and scroll horizontally, creating frustration and abandonment.
| Item | Description | Price | Allergens | Calories | Actions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Margherita Pizza | Classic pizza with tomato sauce, mozzarella cheese, and fresh basil | $12.99 | Gluten, Dairy | 820 | |
| Caesar Salad | Romaine lettuce, croutons, parmesan cheese, and Caesar dressing | $8.99 | Gluten, Dairy, Eggs | 380 |
* Scroll horizontally to see all information
Classic pizza with tomato sauce, mozzarella cheese, and fresh basil
Romaine lettuce, croutons, parmesan cheese, and Caesar dressing
Overusing animations slows down interactions, causes visual fatigue, and can trigger accessibility issues like motion sickness for some users.
Image description
Image description
Image description
Image description
When users can't tell where they are in an application or how to get back, they become lost and frustrated, leading to abandonment.
Experience studio-quality sound with our premium wireless headphones. Features noise cancellation, 30-hour battery life, and comfortable over-ear design.
Great sound quality and battery life!
Experience studio-quality sound with our premium wireless headphones. Features noise cancellation, 30-hour battery life, and comfortable over-ear design.
Our premium headphones offer exceptional audio quality with deep bass and crystal-clear highs. The active noise cancellation creates an immersive listening experience in any environment.
Two additional insights that go beyond the basics
Designing based on what developers understand, rather than how end users will use the interface.
Focusing only on ideal scenarios rather than anticipating user mistakes, edge cases, or unusual user paths.
Great user interfaces don't happen by accident. They're crafted through careful attention to detail and a deep understanding of user needs.
By avoiding these 17 common UX/UI sins, you'll create interfaces that are:
These principles aren't just about aesthetics; they directly impact key metrics like conversion rates, user retention, and customer satisfaction. Small improvements in UI design can lead to significant business outcomes.
Remember:
"Good design is invisible—users notice when something feels wrong, but smooth experiences fade into the background."
Start by fixing the most critical issues in your interfaces, then gradually refine the experience over time. Your users—and your business—will thank you.