Examples of Bad UX
What is good UX?
Before understanding what is bad UX, let us take a brief look at what is good UX. Every product or service is designed in a way to solve the challenges or problems in the customers’ lives. These solutions are aesthetically designed, functional, and also capable of delivering delightful experiences.
UX is Domain-agnostic
UX design can help businesses succeed irrespective of the domain they are into. UX design approach helps businesses assess and identify the problems and/or gaps in the experiences being delivered. The user-centered methodology can really help a company connect with their customers on a deeper level.
What is Bad UX?
Products that fail to deliver on the promised solution to the customers can be a broader definition of bad UX. Here are some of the examples of bad UX -
- Designs that do not reflect the business vision
Let’s consider customer service apps. Be it from any domain, the application’s purpose is to serve the customers and solve their problems efficiently. It is crucial to understand that if customers are not satisfied they may discontinue using the app affecting the business. The application should lend easy access to information and support.
Any such app that fails to deliver on the business promise, and fails to provide the information users are looking for, is an example of bad UX.
This is the IRCTC RAIL CONNECT app to book a railway ticket anywhere in India. The users faced many problems while using the app. Most of the users thought there were too many unnecessary authentications required in the app, which delayed the entire process of booking the ticket. The entire experience of the app is a roller-coaster ride, where the user eventually gives up due to the bugs, incomplete sessions, and multiple attempts to log in.
- Designs that do not establish a process and science behind the design efforts
Finer details in the experience of the application matter a lot. If the user is exploring the app, and their experience gets halted due to hostile messages that take over their entire screens unnecessarily, then that is not a very pleasant experience for the users.
Also, mismatched design language in the app sends out confusing brand messages.
And most importantly, if the app is difficult to use or complex to understand, then that experience can be categorized as an example of bad UX.
In the WhatsApp chat window, the feature of deleting the messages serves well to the users. Though, even after deleting a message, a notification of a message being deleted stays visible to all the participants of the chat and/or group.
This is an example of bad UX as one would only delete a message with the intent of hiding the text from other participants of the chat. Sending such notification of a deleted message provokes curiosity in the other participants’ minds which may not serve the users’ original purpose.
It is necessary to understand the users’ psyche and in order to deliver hassle-free and enriching experiences.
