Sometimes it is not the product or service that is the problem, but how the website communicates it. Visitors leave before they get to know your business, and you never find out why, because they do not leave a message.
This article covers the five UI/UX mistakes that most often make visitors leave quickly: how to recognise them, why they cost you, and fixes you can make without redesigning the whole website.
Summary: five mistakes and the quickest fix for each
| Mistake | An easy-to-spot sign | Quickest fix |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Confusing navigation | People need many clicks to find pricing or contact details | Tidy the menu into a few clear choices |
| 2. Too many elements | Pop-ups, banners, and buttons compete for attention | Pick one main goal per page |
| 3. Poor contrast and hard-to-read text | Thin grey text on a light background | Darken the text and increase the type size |
| 4. Uncomfortable on a phone | Small buttons, cut-off text, a layout that shifts | Test on a real phone and adjust the tap size |
| 5. Unclear call to action | Visitors read to the end and then do nothing | One main button with a specific label |
1. Confusing Navigation
If visitors struggle to find the menu or key information within the first few seconds, they tend to leave the page immediately. The problem is often not too few menu items but a menu that is too creative: section names only the internal team understands, or key information buried three levels deep.
- Use menu names people already know: Services, Portfolio, Pricing, Contact.
- Limit the main choices in the menu so the eye is not overwhelmed.
- Make sure pricing and ways to contact you can be reached from any page in one or two clicks.
To structure a page before designing it, see how to create a wireframe for website design.
2. Too Many Elements on One Page
Stacked pop-ups, flashing banners, and too many competing calls-to-action leave visitors unsure where to focus. If everything is emphasised, nothing stands out.
- Decide on one goal per page, then arrange only the elements that support it.
- Delay pop-ups until the visitor has actually read something, not in the first second.
- Leave breathing room. White space is not waste; it is how you guide the eye.
3. Poor Text and Color Contrast
Thin gray text on a light background, or color combinations with low contrast, force visitors to work harder just to read the content. Many will not bother; they leave.
The WCAG 2.2 level AA standard asks for a contrast ratio of at least 4.5:1 for regular text and 3:1 for large text. The official explanation is in the W3C document on minimum contrast. Besides contrast, watch the type size too: body text that is too small is tiring, especially on a phone screen.
4. Not Responsive on Mobile Devices
Buttons that are too small to tap, cut-off text, or a messy layout on phones are common reasons mobile visitors close the tab right away. Many business owners only check their website on a laptop, even though many visitors arrive on a phone.
- Open your page on a phone using mobile data, not only on office Wi-Fi.
- Make sure buttons and links are large enough and spaced enough to press with a thumb.
- Speed matters too. Google summarises page speed and comfort in Core Web Vitals.
The basic principles are covered in responsive design: core principles for modern websites.
5. Unclear Call-to-Action
If visitors do not know what to click or where to go next, they tend to do nothing at all. A button that says "Click here" or "Submit" does not tell anyone what will happen.
- Label buttons with a clear outcome, for example "Request a quote" or "Message us on WhatsApp".
- Give one prominent primary button, and let other buttons look calmer.
- Place the call at a sensible point: after visitors understand what you offer, not before.
An example of structuring the call for a single focused page is in how to design a high-converting landing page for your ad campaign.
A quick test to find the mistakes on your website
| How to test | The mistake it exposes |
|---|---|
| Ask a friend who does not know your business to find pricing or contact details while you watch without helping | Unclear navigation and calls to action |
| Show the page for five seconds, then ask what can be done there | Too many elements, a blurry page purpose |
| Open the page on a phone over mobile data | Mobile layout, tap size, and speed |
| Read your page at arm's length under bright light | Contrast and type size |
A fuller testing guide is in how to conduct usability testing for a website or app.
Frequently asked questions
Which should I fix first?
Start with whatever is closest to the business goal: the call to action and navigation. After that, contrast and the phone layout, because they affect nearly every visitor.
Do I have to redesign the whole website?
Not always. Many of the problems above can be fixed page by page. If the mistakes pile up across many pages at once, a major update makes sense, as covered in when your business website needs a redesign.
Is attractive design not important?
It is, but looking good alone is not enough. Good design helps visitors finish their task. The reasoning is covered in why good website design is about more than just looking pretty.
Next step
Pick your most visited page, run the quick test above, and note the three things that bother you most. Fix them one at a time and test again with other people. Good UI/UX design is not about looking fancy; it is about making visitors feel comfortable and guided.
If you want your website designed with a clear, functional user experience, see Codwa Studio's company profile website service.
Talk to Codwa Studio about your website's user experience
Reviewed by Riki Siahaan. Last updated: October 9, 2026.
