Web Design Mistakes That Can Hurt Your Online Reputation and Customer Experience

It takes site visitors 1/10th of a second to judge your brand. As such, for businesses that rely on online presence, prospects, and customers make determinations primarily based on website design. Online businesses and brands with an online presence should reconsider their website design if it isn’t appealing enough to attract customers within 50 milliseconds.

Photo: unsplash

Developing a website that directly resonates with the target customers’ demands and expectations is certainly challenging. However, it is possible if businesses can avoid some simple mistakes. For instance, dental hospitals looking to capitalize on their online presence should adopt a dental website design that allows patients to find, evaluate, and book their services without struggling. The same applies to ticketing businesses, rentals, and ecommerce stores.

How a Poor Web Design Affects Your Business

Simple web design mistakes can cost your business a fortune. Below are a few ways web design mistakes affect customer experience and online reputation.

1. Hurts your brand reputation

Unsurprisingly, 75% of customers judge a business’s credibility based on its web design. Simple web design mistakes can cost your brand a good reputation. For instance, customers can abandon their cart if they can’t easily find what they are searching for. Your business incurs significant losses and diminished revenue.

2. Customer experience is affected

More than 80% of online shoppers said they couldn’t return to websites without wanting a customer experience. User experience can make or break your success in converting generated leads. You shouldn’t ignore customer experience to gain a competitive edge in your niche. Customers criticize a poor web design. It negatively affects their purchase intent and drives them to competitor websites.

3. Poor conversion rates

Almost 60% of online customers say they won’t recommend businesses with poorly designed websites. As mentioned, web design mistakes can ruin customer experience, making them rethink their purchase decision. Common mistakes, such as failing to optimize your website with the right call to action, not making it mobile-friendly, and using cluttered navigation tools, can significantly drop conversion rates.

4. High bounce rate

More than 90% of internet users reject websites based on design-related issues. You should reevaluate your web design aspects if your bounce rate is over 70%. A high website bounce rate means you aren’t attracting the right visitors, or site visitors don’t enjoy the user experience. Inconsistent design elements and cluttered navigation are common web design mistakes that increase your site's bounce rate.

5. Low engagement rate

Approximately 38% of internet users stop engaging websites with unattractive layouts. A user-friendly website design/layout can hold site visitors long enough and make finding what they are searching for easy. Web design mistakes, such as cluttered navigation, boring design, and minimal white space, can make site visitors uneasy.

Critical Web Design Mistakes to Avoid

As mentioned, a poor web design can hurt your online reputation, customer experience, and other hallmarks of business success. That said, below are common web design mistakes to avoid.

1. Inconsistent design elements

Websites with consistent design elements make it easy for visitors to familiarize themselves with site components and UI patterns. Sites with uniform text arrangement and fonts enjoy better readability, scalability, and navigation. To achieve this:

• Have site menus in the same position
• Use the same logo, fonts, and colors
• Optimize website interaction elements like CTA buttons
• Don’t overload the website with many elements
• Have a clear visual hierarchy

2. Unattractive website theme and color

Unfortunately, internet users won’t stay longer on a messy and unattractive website. As mentioned, a first impression is very crucial. If your website has good traffic but getting minimal conversions, low engagement, and a high bounce rate, chances are the color and theme are the problems. Below are a few tips to fix this:

• Choose brand colors that can arouse visitors emotionally
• Follow the 60/30/10 rule: 60% dominant, 30% secondary, and 10% accent colors
• Understand color psychology

3. Unresponsive UI

An unresponsive UI can take a toll on your website traffic. Unlike before, designing a website for a single device isn’t enough. A big percentage (51%) of website traffic currently comes from mobile devices. This underscores the importance of having a responsive and flexible website. If your website isn’t responsive, consider the following:

• Adopt a minimalistic design approach
• Have a defined website topography
• Develop a fluid grid
• Test website responsiveness for different devices regularly

4. Clumsy navigation

A Stanford University study found that websites that are easy to navigate have more credibility. Unfortunately, most business owners don’t stress this fact. A clumsy navigation tool won’t motivate your site visitors to go beyond the home page. They won’t spend time checking other product options and prices. To avoid this:

• Plan your website navigation using a sitemap
• Use a sticky menu
• Prioritize website pages
• Add a clearly visible search bar
• Limit the number of items on your navigation tool
• You should maintain a consistent navigation bar across all web pages. Working with a professional web designer is prudent.

5. Slow loading speed

Loading speed essentially refers to how long it takes for a webpage to display its contents. Website loading speed is an important Google ranking factor and affects the customer experience. Modern internet users prefer websites that load content in a blink of an eye. If your website takes long to load:

• Optimize image size: Optimizing image sizes on your website significantly increases load speed. Using .jpg image files is the best way to achieve this. With .jpg files, you can be sure of high-resolution photos and visuals that won’t affect site load speed.
• Use white space: Great use of white space also reduces data consumption. As the name suggests, white space is unused space on web pages. It has no text, images, or videos. Proper use of white space spreads web content and design elements, which accommodates mobile users. Site visitors can read your content with ease. White space also helps web pages load quickly.
• Remove auto-play multimedia: Disabling auto-play in audio and video files also improves site loading speed. Doing this means users won’t use much of their mobile data when accessing your site from their smartphones. Autoplay is also an irritating way of promoting content. Disable autoplay to allow site visitors to manually activate visuals if interested.

6. Not addressing customer needs

A good web design should go beyond creating an aesthetically pleasing website. Your website should primarily focus on addressing customer needs. You should identify your target customers and know what they hope to get from your site. For instance, websites for established businesses should have a professional appearance that reflects the brand. Customers should easily find what they want.

On the other hand, a website for retail stores should focus on improving the customer’s shopping experience. The website should have basic features, such as an attractive product display and an easy checkout process. Understanding the target audience and designing a website around their needs ensures that you provide customers with the best experience.

7. Unsecured website

Security is another important element of web design that can hurt your site’s reputation and customer experience. Websites that aren’t secured with SSL certificates are a barrier to site visitors and SEO. Internet users promptly get a warning of an insecure website. Google and other search engines warn them before granting access. These notifications affect the number of people visiting your site.

Endnote

There’s a lot that goes into designing a good website for your business. Online visitors will come back to your website if they find what they are searching for with ease. Simple web design mistakes can affect your business growth and reach. You can avoid the mistakes mentioned above by working with web design experts.

by Web Desk via Digital Information World

The Rise of Self-Diagnoses: Teens on Social Media Seek Mental Health Labels

Social media sites such as TikTok and Instagram have recently evolved into destinations for more than simply amusing videos and interesting information. A disturbing trend is rising as more youth use these sites to self-diagnose mental health issues. Adolescents have identified with labels such as ADHD, autism, depression, and others due to the impact of content providers freely expressing their own diagnoses and symptom checklists.

While some parents value the mental health information accessible on social media, there are rising worries regarding self-diagnosis accuracy and the possible harm caused by mislabeling. To protect vulnerable youth, experts advise social media firms to create protections and promote responsible content creation. However, with long waitlists for professional help and the residual effects of the epidemic, properly addressing this mental health crisis remains a struggle.

The Impact of Social Media on Teen Mental Health

Social media sites have received growing attention for their potential to expose younger users to hazardous information and worsen teen mental health difficulties. However, over two dozen parents have now expressed a new concern: kids using these sites to self-diagnose mental health issues. Because of the ease with which kids may obtain information about various disorders, they have begun to self-identify with symptoms to which they may be related.

Parents indicate that their teenagers spend time searching for videos concerning mental health illnesses and that as time passes, they begin to connect with the producers they follow. This identification can lead to various self-diagnoses, including ADHD, depression, autism, and agoraphobia. As a result, it appears like a new self-diagnosed ailment emerges every week, leaving parents anxious about their child's well-being.

The Potential Risks of Self-Diagnosing

While the internet has increased access to knowledge, it has also increased the potential for misunderstanding and misdiagnosis. Teens may mislabel their mental health issues, leading to incorrect judgments about their difficulties. A false sense of identity-based on a non-professional diagnosis can damage adolescent behaviour and alter their sense of self.

Dr Larry D. Mitnaul, a child and adolescent psychiatrist, has noticed an upsurge in teens self-diagnosing due to social media posts. ADHD, autistic spectrum disorder, and dissociative identity disorder are among the most common self-diagnoses. This tendency and adolescent emotional fragility can be upsetting, driving individuals to seek identification through labels that may not adequately represent their mental health.

According to experts, some teenagers may over-identify with certain identities to excuse their actions in social circumstances. Teens typically see social media users discussing psychiatric diseases as trustworthy sources, either because they themselves suffer from the disorder or self-identify as experts on the subject. This can encourage people to self-diagnose and seek information about their perceived problems.

The Function of Social Media Companies

Parents and professionals underline the need for social media firms to take measures to safeguard young users from the risks of self-diagnosis. They propose implementing algorithms to detect excessive consumption of specific mental health content, which could trigger a reminder for users to take breaks and reflect on their consumption habits. Responsible content creation and moderation are vital to ensure that misleading or harmful information is not widely spread.

While some platforms have introduced features to promote well-being and limit exposure to certain content, more proactive measures are necessary to combat the negative effects of self-diagnosing on teen mental health.

What should be done?

As the trend of self-diagnosing mental health conditions on social media continues, it poses significant challenges for parents, experts, and social media companies. While some teens find support and understanding through these platforms, many are at risk of misinterpreting symptoms and self-identifying with misleading labels.

To solve this issue, responsible content development and suitable instruction are required. Social media businesses must take the initiative to put measures in place to protect vulnerable users, particularly minors, from self-diagnosis risks.

Summing up

Parents and educators should actively interact with their adolescent children about their internet experiences, assisting them in navigating the large quantity of information accessible and encouraging them to seek expert guidance when required. We can encourage good online behaviours and shield young minds from the hazards connected with self-diagnosing mental health issues on social media if we work together and take a proactive approach.

Read next: Public Backlash: The Surprising Fallout of Politicians' Incivility on Social Media
by Rubah Usman via Digital Information World

AI Job Seekers, Assemble! The Six American Cities Calling for Your Talent

Keep your virtual hats on, future tech wizards, because the AI job market is heating up like a superhero battle! While the world is concerned about AI taking over employment, the true hero may be the AI business. But wait, there's a catch! The greatest AI jobs appear to have assembled a dream squad in six American locations with opportunity.

Insert a huge AI-themed film soundtrack here. Prepare to enter the AI wonderland! From the IT hotspots of San Francisco and San Jose to the glittering lights of New York, Los Angeles, Boston, and Seattle, these locations are at the centre of AI career opportunities. They're like the Avengers, gathering AI talent from around the country.

It's all about generative AI, the mind-boggling technology sweeping the world. And who is leading the pack? The Titans of Big Tech! These firms are waving their AI wands and making employment magic, with half of last year's generative AI job posts in the AI "super six." They've put a spell on these places regarding employment concentration!

But hold on; there's more! While the AI revolution is likely to expand rapidly, there is concern that these AI centres may become even more impenetrable. It's like attempting to break into a supervillain's stronghold! Economic inequality and unequal growth can result from high concentration, giving some heroes more possibilities than others.

But fear not, future AI warriors! A solution is on the way. According to researchers, if we want wealth to spread far and wide, we must make deliberate investments. The federal government may have to step in, as it did during the Space Race. Do you remember that? It's like AI's own cosmic war for equality!

The economic environment, you see, has undergone its shift. We've witnessed a "winner-takes-most" dynamic in digital service industries and a concentration of tech talent in superstar cities, similar to a rollercoaster ride. It's like a plot surprise in a blockbuster film: you never know what will happen next!

But there is still hope! With its AI Research Institutes, the National Science Foundation has your back. It's as if they've built up covert AI headquarters at 37 institutions nationwide! They're preparing to unleash the AI force with roughly $500 million in investments!

Not to be outdone, the 117th Congress responded with a $80 billion industrial policy, which included a program to improve AI landscapes. It's as though they've summoned troops from around the country to join the AI league!

As the AI adventure develops, the Biden administration is stepping up to the plate. They are focused on boosting geographic inclusivity and addressing AI's difficulties. It's as though they're putting together the AI Avengers to rescue the day!

So there you have it, young artificial intelligence aficionados! The AI job hunt is waiting for you in six American locations. It's a treasure quest through AI wonderlands seeking the greatest opportunities. The AI world will become a playground for all aspiring tech heroes with deliberate investments and federal assistance. Gather your abilities, embrace the AI revolution, and prepare to make history in the AI Hall of Fame! The future of artificial intelligence is in your hands!

Read next: STEM Might Not Be Male Dominated Anymore, New Study Shows
by Rubah Usman via Digital Information World

Apple's AI Chatbot: A Mysterious Marvel in the Making!

Ladies and gentlemen, gather 'round as we uncover the fascinating world of Apple's chatbot, the enigmatic wonder lurking behind the scenes. Are you ready for this latest news? This charming digital assistant is already hard at work, assisting Apple's staff with their everyday jobs and quandaries.

According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, this brilliant chatbot is a jack of all trades. It helps Apple employees by imagining new feature prototypes, summarizing content, and even answering their pressing queries. Imagine having a helpful AI companion at your disposal, capable of saving the day with its AI magic!

But don't get too excited since the fun doesn't stop there! Apple has big plans for this artificial intelligence prodigy. They're thinking about releasing it on their AppleCare support team. Yes, you heard that right! The notion is to have this marvel aid the support staff in better assisting customers entangled in technical tangles.

Our beloved Apple, on the other hand, does not take risks. They're keeping a close watch on the chatbot's possible hazards. After all, AI may occasionally get things muddled up, as Apple's CEO, the great Tim Cook, is all too aware. In a recent earnings call, he admitted that there are some issues to work out regarding AI. It's always best to walk lightly than to leap headfirst into new territory, right?

As Gurman eloquently puts it, Apple will not rush into the AI race like others. They favor a more systematic approach that leaves no opportunity for mistakes. While Google, Microsoft, and others are racing to get generative AI out there, Apple is taking its time, assuring that it will be one for the record books when they do make a move.

I understand what you're thinking. When will Apple reveal to the public this magnificent achievement of AI prowess? Fear not, my readers; the rumor is that a major AI-related revelation will be made next year. That's right, mark your calendars and prepare for some AI wizardry!

But, despite all the joy, a word of warning rings out. Other firms like Samsung and Meta have had their own AI adventures. Some have even prohibited chatbots due to the dreaded threat of leaking information. Yikes! Not to mention the "hallucinations" that resulted in a lawyer's brief being packed with completely manufactured cases. What a calamity caused by AI!

Despite the difficulties, Apple is no new to artificial intelligence. They've been discreetly incorporating machine learning capabilities into their gadgets, and in a game-changing move, they hired the powerful John Giannandrea, former Google chief of AI. It's a sign that Apple is serious about generative AI, even if they've kept things under wraps.

So, dear readers, get ready for the AI revolution brewing at Apple's headquarters. The chatbot may still be a mystery to customers, but it's already working its magic behind the scenes, preparing to make a dramatic entry into the AI limelight. Keep an eye out for mind-blowing developments next year!

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by Rubah Usman via Digital Information World

Elon Musk's Avian Adventure: The Rise of Twitter X

Once upon a time, in a land where tweets soared high, and hashtags roamed free, Elon Musk, a quirky millionaire, intended to change things up. The year was 2023, and Twitter, the popular microblogging network, had undergone significant modifications after Musk's takeover late last year.

Musk's decision to abandon the iconic Twitter Bird logo was the first indicator of this digital revolution. In a series of funny and intriguing tweets, he said, "And soon we shall bid adieu to the Twitter brand and, gradually, all the birds." Oh, how Twitter's feathery mascot must have felt - abandoned and forgotten, like a character from an old movie yearning to be a part of the main plot!

Musk, on the other hand, has bigger aspirations. He envisioned an "everything app," including Twitter and other services. And thus, "Twitter X" was born! It wasn't just a name but an enigma wrapped in a problem, sprinkled with a witty wit.

In classic Musk fashion, Musk threw down the gauntlet to the Twitterverse. He challenged the creative minds out there to come up with a respectable "X" logo. "If a good enough X logo is posted tonight, we'll go live worldwide tomorrow," he tweeted as if he were casting a spell in a magical film, the fate of which was in the hands of the public.

And the Twitterverse delivered! Elon announced the impending shift with a tweet flickering the X logo, much like an unexpected story surprise. The enthusiasm on Twitter Spaces grew when Musk verified the change and added, "It should have been done a long time ago." It was like watching the conclusion of a tense series and anticipating the big reveal!

https://t.co/bOUOek5Cvy now points to https://t.co/AYBszklpkE.

Interim X logo goes live later today.

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) July 23, 2023

Twitter, of course, had misgivings. The bluebird had become essential to its character, much like a superhero's distinctive symbol or a cherished TV show's theme song. According to Twitter's marketing rules, "Our logo is our most recognizable asset." That's why we're so guarded over it." But in Musk's universe, where creativity had no limitations, the only constant was change.

As X.com was routed to Twitter, Musk's life seemed to come full circle. X.com had been his first venture, offering an easy payment solution to the masses, before evolving into PayPal and making its mark in the digital realm. The letter X had always been his fortunate charm, like a repeating motif in a long-running film series.

But, as with any major announcement, there were skeptics and doubters. The public questioned if the new X logo would be popular, much as viewers worry what would happen to their favorite characters when a sequel adds a new face. What about Twitter's stockholders? Would they applaud or condemn the courageous billionaire's bold move?

Twitter has encountered its fair share of difficulties against the backdrop of this avian adventure. Lawsuits, angry staff, and fleeing sponsors - it was a rollercoaster ride reminiscent of the trials and tribulations of the underdog in a motivational sports film. Like the protagonist, Musk was determined to steer the ship through the stormy seas and find smooth waters ahead.

The Fidelity report on Twitter's worth was nothing short of a dramatic twist. The company's value appeared to have plummeted, much like a dramatic narrative device that unexpectedly alters the story's destiny. One-third of the acquisition cost had gone into thin air, prompting investors to wonder about the social media behemoth's future.

So the story of Twitter X and Elon Musk's bold dreams continues, dear readers. Will the much-loved blue bird say good-by to the digital sky? Will "X" emerge as the new social media superhero? Only time will tell as the plot unfolds, and this tech-savvy saga's drama, humor, and intellectuality keep us entertained - just like a thrilling movie that leaves us on the edge of our seats, waiting for the next blockbuster revelation!

Read next: Twitter Makes Another Controversial Change By Restricting The Number Of DMs Sent By Unverified Users
by Rubah Usman via Digital Information World

Microsoft Search Will Outgrow Google’s Search Revenue In The Next Three Years, New Research Claims

Computational giant Microsoft is on a roll this year with breakthrough performance and incredible launches taking center stage.

The company has also created its own variant of the Performance Max domain belonging to Google while also carrying out rebranding of its own retail platform called PromoteIQ. This combined with Xandr is developed into a new suite of apps that come under a banner called Microsoft Advertising.

All of these developments have caused a leading analyst company called New Street Research to make amendments to its advertising model.

The company even set out some interesting findings including how it predicts the tech giant to really outpace Google’s Search Revenue. The timeframe outlined is just three years but that means a rise in the market share being outlined would just be 60 basis points. Nevertheless, growth is growth, and seeing anyone beat out the likes of Google is a major call.

Predictions have to do with a recently published report by the software giant that was made public after an investigation arose when the FTC intervened in the famous Activision Blizzard purchase case.

This data revealed how the estimates for Bing search were achieving a growth worth 16%. But other kinds of advertising revenue grew by 11% and more.

Now, the research is making predictions of the revenue reaching the $10 billion mark, which represents a whopping 40% of the company advertising. But again, these estimates are for the year 2025.

The firm was seen speaking about how a number of integral features were launched as a part of the company’s Performance Max and that includes Product Ads, Predictive Targeting, and other innovative search ad solutions amongst many others.

The analysts mentioned in the report how the tech giant had just carried out a rebranding of its PromoteIQ as a part of its bigger effort to bring together features like display, video, ads, and search into one place.

Other than that, the company is working to globally expand its Store Ads along with Premium Search for Microsoft Store as well as Bing Search.

Advertisers will be given the chance to make the most of greater reach as Premium Search Ads go beyond the company’s Store. Now, they’ll be seen on Bing Search. This combined with more AI incorporations is bound to bring fruitful results in the future.

H/T: Mediapost

Read next: Microsoft Confirms Its Bing And Bing Chat Will Continue To Be Free For All Users
by Dr. Hura Anwar via Digital Information World

Microsoft Confirms Its Bing And Bing Chat Will Continue To Be Free For All Users

A lot of Bing users became awfully concerned recently when computational giant Microsoft revealed that it would be taking out an enterprise variant for the powerful AI chatbot Bing Chat.

Some individuals thought this would be the start of the end of the free version. But the company’s CEO has confirmed that this is simply not the case. He took to his account on Twitter to reiterate that Bing Chat will continue to be offered for free to all.

Obviously, any individual wanting to gain more benefits in the form of added privacy can take out extra money and attain the paid version of the platform. But the average individual who isn’t worried about that will use the chat for free, alongside Bing Search.

So the common accessible variant is free as usual and don’t let anyone confuse you otherwise.

The enterprise version is designed for those wishing to attain a new edge and conduct seamless chats while keeping data they regard as top secret safe.

And it makes sense why Bing opted to unveil another variant for those dealing with enterprises. They’re much more different from the usual consumer ones and that has a lot to do with the unique needs of regular individuals versus that which is linked to us.

But computational giant Microsoft has taken on a unique journey that offers the best of both worlds to target specific niches. You’ve got the professional class of working individuals who need better security and you’ve got those who simply need a robust offering for daily use.

Hence, this upgrade for the enterprise variant isn’t and shouldn’t be seen as a threat from the firm for the free version but a confirmation that it is a top-tier AI competitor in today’s evolving tech market.

Read next: Microsoft All Set To Expand Its Bing Chat Further To Other Browsers Including Firefox, Safari, And Chrome
by Dr. Hura Anwar via Digital Information World