So you guessed it, when your website visitors get annoyed, they leave.
Kinda the opposite effect you want your website to have on them…
So to save you from the website mistakes most common to send your traffic running, here are the top 5 ways your website is annoying people in 2023…and how to make a change.
1. Too Many Popups (you knew this one was coming)
We get it, you’re building your email list but there are better (let’s just say more graceful) ways to have someone opt in. There was a time when boxy, in your face, incessant popups were just expected, but with more intuitive and fluid web design options available more and more everyday, there really is no excuse to be pestering your website visitor every 10 seconds with a popup. If they click out once, (that is, if they can easily find the “x” to close the window in the first place) don’t keep prompting them with the same popup, or even worse, additional popups.
Instead:
Adjust your popup settings to only show at the end of a blog or a period of time. Make it easy and intuitive to leave the popup. Or even better, link your freebie or opt in invitation casually in your blogs, emails, social media, and podcast show notes, leading them to a simple form or landing page with fewer distractions. Add a form on the bottom of blogs or in your instagram links page to make it easy for people to opt in. Create the settings in your email provider so once they are done filling out your forms, it simply redirects/leads them back to your website, podcast or social media where they can continue their explorations. Let people choose to be there, and leave the “forcing” and “annoying” people into opting in, in the past.
2. Not Responsive Design
We now know that 60.04% of website traffic comes from mobile devices. 92.1% of internet users access the internet using a mobile phone. So if your site isn’t easy to view on mobile, you’re quite literally loosing more than half the eyeballs you could have on your site. Within moments of landing in your digital living room, if certain blocks of content are broken, too small, or too large, your visitor will realize this isn’t made for them. Remember, the less your website visitor has to problem solve or think their way through your site, the less likely they are to get frustrated and leave.
Instead:
Make it a seamless responsive design by always ensuring your website is ready for mobile, tablet, and laptop browser sizing. Opt for a professionally designed website or DIY using a highly customizable editor like Showit for more control over how your mobile version appears to the visitor. With more and more mobile users, revisit your mobile design every year to improve and optimize even more.
3. “Wait, Im lost.” No Clear Navigation
Don’t force your agenda on your website visitors. If they came from your socials to learn more about your offers, but all they can see is a button to your “about” page, they will end up clicking around, and then… forgetting what they were even looking for, inevitably clicking away.
Instead:
Make navigation options clearly visible and user friendly on both desktop and mobile. Map out the different paths your visitors will take when they visit your site, helping your understand the mindset and needs of these users. Do an audit of all links in your navigation to ensure you aren’t leaving any broken links hanging around for your visitors.
4. “Huh” – Too Many Words, Not Enough Clear Messaging.
Website copy is an art, but it’s also not rocket science. If you are simply shouting at them, with a variety of taglines, phrases, and cliche words about your industry, you’re likely talking at them, not to them. If people don’t understand where they fit into your brand’s story, and how you can help them, quickly…. they will choose someone who makes it easier for them to get their needs met. Clarity is king.
Instead:
For your next website refresh, work with a professional copywriter or access expert templates to ensure you throughly understand your ideal client’s mindset, and what they want more and less of in their lives.
5. Clunky, Crowded, and Difficult to Read Text
This one might sting, but Web 3.0 is here, and your website visitors are expecting higher quality visuals and layouts. Your site should be glanceable, easy on the eyes, and thoughtfully put together. Now, we understand not everyone has the designers eye (uhhmm this is why you invest in web design) but a few rules of thumb can ensure even the novice DIYer isn’t making the avoidable mistakes.
Instead:
☻ Typography: Choose your brand fonts and a font hierarchy for headers, sub headers, body copy, and decorative, then stick with them. By keeping your font selections and sizing consistent throughout, you bring ease and avoid create a chaotic or confusing layout.
☻ Spacing: A cramped page is a sure way to make people overwhelmed. Give them space to focus on each piece they are learning about you.
☻ Contrast: We know you love that image, but can you really read the text that’s overlayed on top of it? Be honest with yourself and don’t leave your website visitors guessing what that word is by having very obvious contrast between backgrounds and text.
☻ Unique Features: Add a little flare. Be daring. Colour outside the lines and leave an impression. The most boxed in and templated your website feels, the less likely your visitor will want to hang out a long time exploring. Give them something to talk about.
