Technology

9 Common UX Mistakes Start-Ups Often Make

INTERLUNAR
INTERLUNAR

As a business, it is essential to understand how efficient User Interface (UI) / User Experience (UX) can transform your start-up business. UI/UX can essentially make or break your product or business because it determines whether or not potential customers remain on your webpage. While there may be many other UI/UX mistakes start-ups can make, here are 9 of the most common mistakes.

1. Neglecting User Research

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Photo by NordWood Themes on Unsplash

When starting a new venture, it's easy to get caught up in the excitement and rush to develop your product. However, taking the time to conduct thorough user research can be a game-changer for your start-up. This crucial step can provide invaluable insights into your target audience's preferences, needs, and pain points, helping you design a product that truly meets their expectations.

You'll want to make sure you find and reach the right target audience, and the first step to achieving that is efficient user research! Find out what your audience likes and dislikes, as well as their daily struggles, and propose solutions and ways to enhance their experiences.

2. Over-Complicating the Interface

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Photo by Ivan Yeo on Unsplash

It's natural to be enthusiastic about your start-up and want to showcase all its features. However, it's important to remember that less is often more when it comes to interface design. A cluttered and over-complicated interface cannot only be difficult to navigate but also lead to user frustration and dissatisfaction. So, keep it simple and user-friendly to ensure a positive user experience. 

Always aim to keep interface designs simple yet functional. A great example from which to draw inspiration is Apple! They're known for their highly simplistic user design, which is easy for anyone to navigate while still allowing users to complete many tasks. 

3. Forgetting about Accessibility

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Photo by Tim Mossholder on Unsplash

Many start-ups overlook accessibility, as it can be swept aside with the rush of things. According to the World Health Organisation, as many as one in six people have a form of disability. Tech start-ups should consider various subgroups of users who may have greater difficulty accessing certain features. Optimising your interface to suit every subgroup will help increase and improve your overall UI/UX design.

4. Avoiding Feedback

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Photo by Jon Tyson on Unsplash

It's a no-brainer that you should listen to the opinions of those you intend to serve, yet so many tech start-ups overlook it. The importance of listening to user feedback must be stressed enough, as you'll learn and realise faults in your product that you have yet to consider. Apart from just listening, you should also implement these changes to improve your product for your users. This reduces the amount of frustrated users and allows your users to feel like their opinions matter, increasing trust in your brand.

5. Inconsistency

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Photo by Dan Meyers on Unsplash

Keeping UI/UX designs consistent can be tough sometimes, especially for a start-up. However, a lack of consistency can confuse users or even disassociate them from your brand, as users won't recognise your product immediately. It's important to settle on a set of consistent factors for your UI/UX designs and keep them apparent throughout. This way, users can grow accustomed to your product's design.

6. Neglecting Mobile Experience

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Photo by ROBIN WORRALL on Unsplash

The mobile experience should always be addressed, as many users are often on the go and, thus, on their mobile phones. Many of your users will come from their mobiles, especially if your start-up relies on social media marketing.

If your UI/UX isn't catered to mobile users, you could lose plenty of potential users. This is different from simply taking your web version and squeezing it into a mobile format. Optimising specifically for mobile users can be a huge contributing factor to your tech start-up's growth.

7. Not Prioritising Speed

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Photo by CHUTTERSNAP on Unsplash

In today's fast-paced world, ensuring your interface design can function as fast as possible is more important than ever. Users now have significantly reduced attention spans, so if your product does not appeal to them within the first few seconds, there is a high chance they'll click out. You'll want to ensure your UI/UX design can capture users' attention the moment they enter so they can be successfully pulled in to discover your product and what it is.

8. Lack of User Testing

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Photo by JESHOOTS.COM on Unsplash

Similar to obtaining feedback as mentioned above, you'll want to make sure your product has been thoroughly tested and improvised before its launch. Many start-ups breeze through or even skip through this step altogether. 

This is one of the most crucial steps, as bad interface designs will push users away instead of drawing them in. Conduct surveys or ask questions to understand better how your product's UI/UX can be improved. This will better prepare your product for the larger masses of users.

9. Not Getting External Help

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Photo by NordWood Themes on Unsplash

For most start-ups, UX/UI experience can be completely foreign. With that, it's a mistake not to engage with companies like INTERLUNAR that offer UX/UI services. highly qualified in UX/UI interface optimisation, providing UX/UI audits and web design services. So whether you've already got a website or not,  can help! Small businesses would benefit significantly from obtaining an expert's opinion.

We know it takes some time and effort to conduct product testing and go back and forth to improve your product before its release. However, it is essential for all businesses. Many start-ups can get too excited and want to launch their product immediately. However, that can cost your tech start-up more than you think. We understand wholeheartedly the ups and downs of beginning a tech start-up and would be more than happy to help! Feel free to contact us for an e-coffee chat to discover the potential your business could reach!

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