Rose Cox

Website & Portfolio

10 things people don’t want in their experiences

In UX and product design, people often focus on what experiences that are desired and wanted, rather than avoiding what users generally do not want. Here are 10 things users typically dislike:

  1. Complexity
    • Cluttered interfaces: Users do not want to deal with interfaces that are cluttered or overly complicated. They prefer simplicity and ease of use.
    • Steep learning curves: Users do not want to spend a lot of time learning how to use a product. They prefer intuitive designs that are easy to understand.
  2. Poor performance
    • Slow load times: Users do not want to wait for pages or features to load. Speed is important for user engagement.
    • Bugs and glitches: Users do not want to encounter frequent errors or crashes, which can lead to frustration and abandonment.
  3. Unnecessary intrusions
    • Intrusive pop-ups: Users do not want to be disrupted by frequent pop-ups, ads, or full-page covers, especially if they interrupt their tasks.
    • Excessive notifications: Users do not want to be overwhelmed by notifications, particularly those that are not relevant to them.
  4. Forced actions
    • Mandatory account creation: Users do not want to be forced to create an account to access basic features. Providing options for guest access or social logins can be more user-friendly.
    • Required personal information: Users do not want to provide more personal information than necessary. They value their privacy and prefer minimal data collection.
  5. Bad navigation
    • Navigation overload: Users do not want to struggle to find information or features among too many options.
    • Hidden features: Users do not want important features to be hidden or difficult to discover.
  6. Lack of support
    • Unclear error messages: Users do not want to see vague or confusing error messages. They prefer clear instructions that guide them on how to resolve issues.
    • Inadequate help: Users do not want to be left without help when they encounter problems. Easily accessible support options are crucial.
  7. Accessibility issues
    • Inaccessible design: Users with disabilities do not want to encounter barriers to using a product. Accessibility should be a fundamental consideration.
    • Non-responsive design: Users do not want a poor experience on mobile devices. A responsive design that adapts to different screen sizes is important.
  8. Negative changes
    • Unexpected changes: Users do not want significant changes to the interface without notice. Gradual changes over time are better received.
    • Unannounced feature removals: Users do not want features they rely on to be removed or changed without warning or explanation. Providing updates and tutorials can help ease the transition.
  9. Poor aesthetics
    • Unappealing design: Users do not want to use products that are unattractive or poorly designed. Aesthetic appeal can significantly impact user satisfaction.
    • Inconsistent design: Users do not want to deal with inconsistent visual elements or interaction patterns, which can be confusing and reduce usability.
  10. Untrustworthy products
    • Unauthorized data collection: Users do not want their personal information to be collected without their consent or knowledge. They value transparency and control over their data.
    • Data breaches and lack of security: Users do not want their sensitive information to be compromised due to security breaches or weak encryption. Communicate security measures clearly to users.

By avoiding these pitfalls, designers can create more effective, user-friendly products that meet the needs and expectations of their users.