When I land on a website, I can usually tell within seconds whether the design is working — or holding the site back.
It’s like playing the game “spot the differences”, where immediate areas are glowing red for me that seem off.
And when a site’s design is that distracting, it can be an immediate deterrence for me to hop away and visit elsewhere.
So what are those areas that glow red for me in just a quick glance?
Here are three of the most common design flaws I notice right away:
Inconsistent Spacing
Padding, margins, and symmetry — when these are off, it creates a disjointed, cluttered feel.
When one section has very large padding (or space) on top, but oh-so-little on the bottom, it causes an imbalance in the layout that doesn’t look good.
Same with spacing in-between elements — if you have gutter spacing on one at 16px, yet the next section has 48px, it’s like the designer couldn’t decide what they wanted.
Consistent spacing isn’t flashy, but it’s one of the quiet markers of professional design.
Poor Visual Hierarchy
Your eye should be guided through the page effortlessly. If everything is the same size or weight, nothing stands out.
So if I land on a site that the H2 headings are the same size as an H4, or the body copy is too big, it’s an immediate cause for confusion.
A more balanced, properly weighted visual hierarchy in your layout helps users navigate and scan a page quickly and easily — and these days, the faster the better.
Without clear hierarchy, users don’t know where to focus — and they bounce.
Multiple Button Styles
Buttons are the navigational beacons to help a reader down a particular path. When they change color, size, or shape across the site, it creates uncertainty.
Unified buttons create a cleaner, more predictable experience. When your buttons follow a specific design system and usage, it makes it easy for users to know where to click next and what to expect.
Buttons may seem small and less significant, but they can make a huge difference in how polished and effective a website feels.
Looking for a second set of eyes?
If you’re curious what I might notice on your site, I’d be glad to take a look.
Here’s how my web design consulting works — simple, quick, and aimed at giving you practical improvements you can make right away.
I see these details not because I’m picky, but because they affect how people feel when they land on your site. And if your site feels confusing or inconsistent, that feeling sticks—whether you mean for it to or not.
Until next time,
