Web Design Issues We Wish Would Just Die (Sorry, Pop-Up Overload)
Hey there, folks! Today I wanted to share with you a few annoying
web design trends that are long out of style. It’s like they’ve become the uninvited guests at the web design party, refusing to leave even though no one really wants them there anymore. So grab a coffee, sit back and let’s take a fun look at some web design trends that we all wish would simply vanish, starting with the king of them all: pop-up overload.
Pop-Up Overload: The Unwanted Guest
Ah, pop-ups. They’re the kind of friend who has no concept of private space. You’ve just clicked on a website and then BAM, you’ve barely digested the home page when a pop-up appears asking if you’d like to sign up for a mailing list, fill out a survey, or receive 10% off your first purchase. I mean, I just got here – can we slack off a little bit?
Pop-ups work fine if used wisely, but if you fire off multiple or unhelpful pop-ups in succession before a visitor has a clue what your site is about, you’re going to get them clicking the "X" faster than you can say "discount code." Give your visitors some breathing room and maybe, just maybe, save that pop-up for when they’re ready to exit the page. You don’t need too much, guys.
Auto-Play Videos: Why are You Shouting At Me?
Autoplaying video comes next on my list of trends that keep extending themselves too long. Nothing puts the visitor in a state of shock more than hearing someone’s voice crackle through their speakers while they’re busy browsing in peace. Hey, I know you want to draw attention with videos, but let’s give visitors the option to play them, cool? A nice "click to watch" button does the trick, and is also a lot friendlier to those of us who’ve managed to sneak in a little web surfing around the office, (your secret is safe with me.)
Infinite Scroll: The Bottomless Pit
Scroll on and on – wow, where do I start? It seemed like a good idea at first. Inexhaustible...it starts to feel like you’re in an endless loop that can’t be broken. It’s like searching for the center of a tub of legos, you just keep digging, and nothing ever gets actually built.
And I don’t mean to say infinite scroll doesn’t belong there. It works pretty well for social media feeds or shopping websites. But on most websites, it’s nice to just know where the trail ends. A simple "Next Page" button makes people feel like they’re in charge, and believe me, they’ll love you for it.
Overly Animated
I’m a sucker for animation, but if your website looks like it’s located in a late 90s neon arcade, maybe it’s time to relax. Too many animations can be distracting and even make your site appear amateurish. Balance is key, put animations where they can make an impact but not overpower. Even a hover effect or a seamless transition can make your website look professional and sophisticated, but please forget about spinning logos and blinking buttons all together.
Copycat Stock Images: The "Happy Office Team" Hypothesis.
And then, of course, the generic stock images. You know, the overly jovial office staff wearing the same suits, each one of them giving each other a high-five, or the guy wearing a headset who has no business taking your customer service call. You know what I mean, sometimes you just need a stock photo. But people these days know what they’re looking at, they see a stock photo that looks the same every time and it just starts to look like nothing.
Instead, use real-life pictures of your employees, your business, or even custom sketches. It’s about being genuine and we like to connect with real people. If stock photos are necessary, make sure that they look natural and relate to your brand personality.
What to Do Instead
So if we’re getting rid of pop-up overload, auto-play videos, endless scrolling and over-animated graphics, what do we do? Well, I’m glad you asked.
Here are a few tips:
Honor Your Users:
Provide them the opportunity to browse your site uninterrupted.
Pop-ups:
only when you absolutely need to (like if they’re leaving).
Make Them Do It:
Never try to impose videos or content upon people. Let them decide when they’re willing to take action.
Keep it Simple:
More is not always better. Streamlined designs, easy navigation, and effective use of imagery will always get ahead of gimmicky, overblown animations.
Be True:
Showcase what sets your business apart., Take real pictures, tell your story, and let your brand personality shine through.
Our goal at Fairhaven Web Design is to make your website beautiful yet minimalist, as efficient, and as relevant as possible to your customers, without any distractions.
If your website is a victim of pop-up overload or you’re on a scroll-infinity loop, contact us today. We’d be delighted to create a website that puts people right at home (no auto-play videos, of course).
Until next time, keep it simple and keep it real.
