Worst Web Page Design Examples and What Went Wrong

Let's take a look at some of the worst web page design examples out there. The infamous 1990s-era website, GeoCities, is a great example of what not to do. Its cluttered layout and lack of navigation made it difficult for users to find what they were looking for.

One major issue with GeoCities was its use of tables for layout, which led to a messy and unorganized design. The website's designers likely didn't have access to modern web design tools, but that's no excuse for such a poor design.

The website's cluttered layout was also a major turn-off for users. With too much information and too many links on the page, users were overwhelmed and likely left the site quickly.

Bad design choices can make a website look unprofessional and frustrating to use. A cluttered homepage with too many images can be overwhelming for visitors.

Some common mistakes include using images that are unprofessional, off-brand, or pixelated. Avoiding stock images is a good idea, as they can come across as cheesy and outdated.

Poor color and font choices can also detract from a website's design. Bright colors can be distracting and look unprofessional, while stylized fonts can be hard to read. Simple fonts that are easy to read are usually a better choice.

A cluttered interface with too much text can be frustrating for visitors. Breaking up text into multiple paragraphs, using images, and bulleted lists can make content easier to read.

Outdated branding can also make a website look bad. Ensure that your branding remains relevant and professional to give your website a good look and feel.

Here are some common bad design choices:

A lack of responsive design can also be a problem. Website designs that are not optimized for use on mobile devices can be frustrating for visitors.

Let's take a look at some examples of bad design. A cluttered website with too much text is overwhelming and can be difficult to navigate. Images that are too large can appear out of focus on some devices and be distracting for visitors.

A website with an outdated look and feel can give the impression that the business is not professional or up-to-date. Uncoordinated color schemes and too many different font styles can make a website look messy and uninviting.

Here are some common design mistakes to watch out for:

Lingscars is a website that's a great example of bad design. The website's navigation is the main problem, with all the content packed onto a single page that scrolls for what feels like forever.

This can be overwhelming for users, making it difficult to find what they're looking for. It's a common mistake to pack too much information onto a single page, but it's one that can have serious consequences for user experience.

Here are some common pitfalls to avoid when designing a website:

These issues can make a website feel cluttered and confusing, driving users away and hurting your business. By keeping your design simple and focused, you can create a website that's easy to use and effective at communicating your message.

Bad design can be frustrating to navigate, and it's often the result of a few common mistakes. A poorly designed website can make a bad first impression and drive visitors away.

Bad image choices can be a major turnoff. Images that are unprofessional, off-brand, or pixelated can make a website look outdated and cheesy. Avoid using stock images whenever possible, as they can come across as unoriginal.

Cluttered content is another common issue. Too much text can overwhelm visitors and make it difficult to find the information they need. Break up your text into multiple paragraphs, use images and bulleted lists to make it more readable.

A lack of responsive design can also be a major problem. With more than 50% of web traffic coming from mobile devices, it's essential to ensure that your website is optimized for use on smaller screens. This includes using CSS breakpoints and media queries to define different styles and layouts.

Inconsistent design can also make a website look unprofessional. A chaotic layout with confusing color schemes and poorly designed elements can confuse visitors and make it difficult to notice essential elements like texts and CTA buttons.

Here are some common web design mistakes to watch out for:

These mistakes can be easily avoided by following best practices and using website builders that offer tools like AI color palette generation. By prioritizing mobile-first design and testing your website across multiple devices and browsers, you can create a website that is both functional and visually appealing.

A badly designed website can be a real turn-off for visitors. A cluttered content page can look overwhelming, making it difficult for users to find the information they need.

Images that are unprofessional, pixelated, or wrongly sized can contribute to a poor website design. Stock images can also come across as cheesy and outdated.

Poor color and font choices can also make a website look unprofessional. Bright colors can be distracting, and stylized fonts can be hard to read.

A lack of responsive design can cause visitor frustration, especially on mobile devices. Website designs that are not optimized for use on mobile or other portable devices can lead to abandonment.

Bad navigation can be frustrating for visitors, especially if there's too much content to sift through. A website with too many pages can also contribute to slow website performance.

Links or buttons that don't work can confuse visitors and make them think there's something wrong with the website or their device.

Here are some common design issues to watch out for:

These issues can all contribute to a poor user experience and make visitors leave your website quickly.

A cluttered layout can significantly impact user experience and overall usability. A cluttered web page can create a negative impression and hamper users' ability to navigate and comprehend the content effectively.

To avoid a cluttered layout, streamline the web page by removing unnecessary elements and reducing visual clutter. Focus on presenting the most relevant and essential content to users, prioritizing what is important to them.

A clear hierarchy in the design is essential, organizing content based on its importance and relevance. Visual cues such as headings, subheadings, and white space can create a visual flow and guide users' attention.

Image Optimization

Optimizing images is crucial for fast loading times. Compressing images can reduce file size without compromising quality, and using efficient image formats like JPEG or WebP can significantly decrease loading time. Here are some image size recommendations:

Loading Speed

A slow loading speed can harm a website's success. The ideal loading time is under two seconds. Anything more than this will increase the chances of users leaving the site.

Achieving an even balance in website design is crucial for a good user experience. A little bit of color can go a long way in brightening up an empty gray background.

Too many colors can be overwhelming and look unprofessional. Colors that are too bright might be distracting and should be avoided. A good rule of thumb is to stick to a simple color scheme that is easy on the eyes.

A cluttered website is a surefire way to drive users away. Too much content can make it difficult for visitors to find what they're looking for. Break up your text into multiple paragraphs, and use images and bulleted lists to make your content easier to read.

Here are some common mistakes to avoid:

By avoiding these common pitfalls, you can create a website that is visually appealing and easy to use. Remember, a well-designed website is one that balances form and function.

Not being mobile responsive is a major layout and performance issue that can drive visitors away from your website. According to Statista, mobile devices account for more than 50% of web traffic worldwide.

A website that's not mobile friendly can lead to distorted layouts, misplaced elements, and a compromised user experience on mobile devices. This can cause frustration for visitors, leading to abandonment of your website.

Google takes mobile responsiveness into account when ranking a page, so ensuring your website is mobile friendly is crucial. 74% of users will return to a website that's mobile friendly, according to Small Business Trends.

Some common mistakes that lead to non-mobile responsiveness include sticking to only one device type and failing to adapt to different screen sizes. This outdated design approach can lead to a poor user experience on mobile devices.

Here are some key features of a mobile-responsive website:

Prioritizing mobile-first design is also crucial, starting with a design tailored for mobile devices and progressively enhancing it for larger screens. This ensures that the mobile experience remains user-friendly and fully optimized.

A cluttered page layout can be a major turn-off for website visitors. 61% of users will leave a website if they don't find what they're looking for within 5 seconds, according to Forbes Advisor.

A cluttered layout can create a negative impression and make it difficult for users to navigate and comprehend the content effectively. The Bad Website is a perfect example of a poorly designed website with an inefficient use of white space.

Streamlining the web page layout by removing unnecessary elements and reducing visual clutter is a great way to make a website look less cluttered. Focus on presenting the most relevant and essential content to users, prioritizing what is important to them.

A minimalistic design approach allows users to easily digest the information and navigate the website. Establish a clear hierarchy in the design by organizing content based on its importance and relevance. Use visual cues such as headings, subheadings, and white space to create a visual flow and guide users' attention.

Here are some common mistakes to avoid when it comes to cluttered page layouts:

By avoiding these mistakes and following best practices, you can create a website with a clean and modern layout that provides a great user experience.

Slow loading times can be a major turnoff for users. 47% of users won't wait longer than 2 seconds for a website to load.

The ideal loading time for a good website is under two seconds. This is crucial because anything more than this will increase the chances of users leaving the site.

Optimizing image size and format is a great way to reduce file size without compromising quality. TinyPNG is an example of a free tool that can optimize images for your website.

To give you a better idea, here are some image size recommendations that should work well on a desktop with a 1080p screen size:

Using efficient image formats such as JPEG or WebP can significantly decrease the time it takes to load. This optimization ensures a faster browsing experience for users.

Ignoring accessibility can lead to a terrible user experience, especially for users with disabilities. A significant portion of the user base can be alienated if a website isn't adhering to accessibility standards.

Intrusive pop-ups and advertisements can contribute to a poor user experience, but ignoring accessibility is a crucial aspect of web design that's often overlooked. A site design that fails to cater to diverse user needs risks alienating a significant demographic and perpetuating a sense of exclusion.

The lack of alt text for images is a major issue, as it makes images inaccessible to users with visual impairments who rely on screen readers. Alt text provides context and descriptions of images, making them accessible to users who need it.

Proper heading tags are essential for organizing content and making it easier for screen reader users to navigate and understand. A well-structured heading hierarchy is key to providing a good user experience.

Closed captions for videos and audio content are also crucial for users with hearing impairments. Providing transcripts for multimedia content allows users to access the information through text, making it more inclusive.