10 Common Mobile UX Mistakes & Fixes 2024

Mobile UX can make or break your cannabis website. Here’s what you need to know:

53% of visitors leave if pages take over 3 seconds to load
88% won’t return after a bad experience
Good design can boost conversions by 200%

Top 10 mobile UX mistakes and fixes:

Skipping user research
Overcomplicated navigation
Non-responsive design
Cluttered screens
Tiny buttons
Slow load times
Poor search function
Unclear content hierarchy
Inconsistent design
Ignoring accessibility

Quick Comparison:

Mistake	Impact	Fix
No user research	Misaligned features	Run surveys, focus groups
Complex navigation	Users can’t find stuff	Simplify menus, use clear labels
Non-responsive	Poor mobile experience	Use responsive design, test on devices
Cluttered screens	Confused users	Embrace white space, prioritize content
Small buttons	Tap errors	Make buttons 48x48px minimum
Slow loads	High bounce rates	Optimize images, use caching
Bad search	Frustrated users	Add autocomplete, filters
Messy hierarchy	Lost users	Use visual cues, follow F-pattern
Inconsistent design	Annoyed users	Create a design system
Not accessible	Excludes users	Add alt text, improve contrast

Fix these issues to boost engagement, sales, and user satisfaction on your cannabis site.

Not Doing User Research

Many cannabis companies skip user research. Big mistake. Without it, you’re just guessing what customers want.

Why user research matters:

Understand your target market
Avoid building unwanted features
Boost conversion rates

Some eye-opening stats:

48% of cannabis users consume daily
78% say their usage will stay the same or increase next year

These numbers show why knowing your users is crucial.

How to fix this mistake:

1. Run online surveys

Use Google Forms or SurveyMonkey to learn about user preferences and needs.

2. Conduct focus groups

Get a small group of cannabis users together. Ask for their thoughts on your product or website. You’ll get insights you might otherwise miss.

3. Analyze competitors

Check out what other cannabis companies are doing. Spot gaps in the market.

4. Use online analytics

Google Analytics can show how people use your website. Let this data guide your design decisions.

Real-world example: A cannabis market research study gathered feedback from 417 recreational and medical users. They focused on preferences and consumption methods. This kind of data is gold for improving mobile UX.

"Design without research means that the product won’t meet the needs of the people who use it. Researching without design means that the insights may not get implemented at all." – Nicolo Arena and Caroline Wilcock, Product Designer and User Researcher

Don’t guess. Research. Your cannabis business will thank you.

Cannabis apps and websites often mess up their navigation. It’s a big problem that can drive users away.

Why does simple navigation matter? Here’s the deal:

1 in 4 users ditch an app after trying it once
Messy menus are a nightmare on small screens
Bad navigation = users can’t find stuff

So, how do we fix it? Let’s break it down:

1. Cut down menu options

Stick to 5-7 main categories. Don’t list every single product type. Instead, go broad: "Flower", "Edibles", "Concentrates". Done.

2. Use plain English

Ditch the fancy weed lingo. Keep it simple. "Shop" beats "Product Catalog" any day.

3. Think thumbs

Put important stuff where thumbs can reach. It’s called the "thumb rule" for a reason.

4. Add search

Help people find what they want, fast. A search bar can be a lifesaver.

5. Highlight what matters

Put the important stuff front and center. Make that "Order Now" button pop.

What	Where	Why
Main menu	Bottom	Easy to reach
Search	Top	Quick finds
Order button	Center/bottom right	Get clicks

Keep it simple, and users will stick around. That means more sales for your cannabis biz.

"If it takes more than 2-3 clicks to find something, your design needs work." – Abdul Suleiman, Chief Experience Officer

3. Forgetting About Mobile Responsiveness

In 2024, mobile-friendly design is a MUST. Over half of web traffic comes from mobile devices. For cannabis businesses, it’s adapt or lose customers.

Why mobile matters:

52.2% of website traffic was mobile in 2018 (Statista)
Google favors mobile-friendly sites in rankings
Users bounce fast from clunky mobile sites

How to fix it:

1. Go responsive

Use CSS to make your site adjust to any screen size. One site, all devices.

2. Simplify navigation

Cut menu options. Use a hamburger menu for mobile. Put key links where thumbs can reach.

3. Speed it up

Optimize images, cut large files. Mobile users hate slow loads.

4. Make it readable

Use legible fonts and sizes. No squinting allowed.

5. Test, test, test

Check your site on different devices and browsers. What works on your phone might not on others.

Mobile Design Element	Why It Matters	How to Implement
Responsive layout	Fits all screens	Use fluid grids and flexible images
Simple navigation	Easy to use	Hamburger menus, limit options
Fast load times	Keeps users on site	Optimize images, minimize large files
Readable text	No zooming needed	Use 16px font size minimum
Touch-friendly buttons	Prevents mis-clicks	Buttons at least 44×44 pixels

Mobile users are on the go. They need quick, easy access to your products and info. A clunky mobile site = lost sales.

"If your site isn’t mobile-friendly in 2024, you’re essentially turning away customers at the door." – Google’s Mobile-First Indexing Announcement

4. Crowding the Screen

Ever tried to read a book through a keyhole? That’s what a cluttered mobile screen feels like for cannabis shoppers.

Many dispensaries stuff their sites like an overpacked bowl. The result? Users get lost in the haze.

Here’s the deal:

Too much stuff = confused users
Confused users = quick exits
Quick exits = lost sales

So, how do we clear the smoke?

Keep it simple, stoner

1. Embrace the void

White space isn’t lazy design. It’s breathing room for your content. Check out Coastal:

"Coastal’s homepage? Clean as a whistle. Products pop, cart’s a cinch. Scrolling feels like a smooth hit."

2. Play eye tour guide

Lead users to the good stuff. Urbn Leaf nails this:

"Urbn Leaf’s site? A visual buffet. Categories? Clear as day. Images do the heavy lifting."

3. Marie Kondo that content

If it doesn’t spark joy (or sales), it’s gotta go. Mosaic‘s app gets it:

"Mosaic’s app? Lean and mean. Specials or menu – pick your path. No fluff, all stuff you need."

4. Make navigation a no-brainer

Users should flow through your site like smooth smoke. Stick to what works: hamburger menus, limited options.

5. Size matters

Buttons too small? That’s a buzz kill. Aim for 44×44 pixels minimum. Your users’ fingers will thank you.

Remember: A clear screen leads to green. Keep it simple, and watch those sales roll in.

5. Using Buttons That Are Too Small

Tiny buttons on mobile apps? It’s like trying to thread a needle while riding a rollercoaster. Not fun, especially for cannabis app users who might be… less than precise.

Why small buttons are a problem:

Hard to tap
Slow users down
Cause errors

Here’s the deal: Your thumb is about 72 pixels wide on most screens. But many apps use buttons way smaller than that.

So, what size should buttons be?

Button Priority	Size (pixels)
High	72
Medium	60
Low	42

Anything under 42 pixels? You’re asking for trouble.

Take the Glow Baby app. They had a button smaller than a grain of rice for short nursing sessions. Users couldn’t tap it, leading to frustration and wrong data.

How to fix it:

1. Make buttons bigger: Aim for at least 48×48 pixels. That’s what Android’s Material Design suggests.

2. Space them out: Leave 8 pixels between buttons. Don’t crowd them.

3. Bottom is best: Put important buttons at the screen’s bottom. Easier to reach with your thumb.

4. Extend the tap area: Make the tappable area bigger than the visible button.

5. Test with real users: What looks good on your big screen might be a nightmare on a small phone.

Remember: Good button design is like good pizza – it should be easy to grab and satisfying to use.

6. Having Slow Load Times

Slow websites are a buzzkill. In today’s mobile-first world, speed is everything. Here’s why slow load times hurt and how to fix them:

Why Slow is a No-Go

Over half of mobile users bail if a site takes more than 3 seconds to load
Google might demote your site in search results
Frustrated users often don’t come back

Speed It Up

1. Cut the Clutter

Remove unnecessary elements. Each item on your page is extra baggage.

2. Shrink Images

Use WebP format. It can reduce image size by 30% without quality loss.

3. Use Browser Caching

This simple trick can cut load times by up to 2 seconds.

4. Reduce HTTP Requests

Combine CSS and JavaScript files to minimize server calls.

5. Try a CDN

Content Delivery Networks spread your content across servers, speeding things up.

Real Results

"We slashed loading time from 24.69 to 2.44 seconds, cut requests from 280 to 23, and improved time to first byte from 8.03 to 0.26 seconds on one project."

Google’s Speed Scorecard

Metric	Good	Average	Bad
First Contentful Paint	0-1.8s	1.8-3s	>3s
Largest Contentful Paint	0-2.5s	2.5-4s	>4s
Time to Interactive	0-3.8s	3.8-7.2s	>7.2s

7. Poor Search Function

A bad search feature can ruin your mobile app. Here’s why it matters and how to fix it:

Why Search Matters

Users love search. 43% head straight for the search box when they visit a site. But if it’s slow or inaccurate? They’ll bail. Fast.

For eCommerce, that’s a $300 billion problem.

Fix Your Mobile Search

1. Make It Easy to Find

Put your search bar where users expect it. If search is key, use a full-width bar up top. Otherwise, bottom navigation works.

2. Speed It Up

Slow searches = frustrated users. Optimize with:

Smart indexing
Clever caching
AI-powered algorithms

3. Add Smart Features

Feature	What It Does
Autocomplete	Suggests as you type
Typo tolerance	Handles fat-finger mistakes
Synonym recognition	Gets what you mean

4. Use Hint Text

Guide users on what to search for. Fewer "no results" = happier users.

5. Add Filters

Let users narrow down results. Crucial for apps with tons of stuff.

Who Does It Right?

Spotify keeps it simple: just albums and songs
Google Play mixes instant results with suggestions
Yelp lets you filter after searching

Fix your search, and watch your users stick around.

8. Unclear Content Hierarchy

A messy content hierarchy can turn your mobile app into a confusing labyrinth. Here’s how to fix it:

The Problem

When everything looks the same, nothing stands out. This leads to:

Lost users
Slow task completion
High bounce rates

Users typically spend just 15 seconds deciding if content is relevant. With a jumbled hierarchy, you’re losing them fast.

How to Fix It

1. Map Your Content

Rank your content before designing:

Priority	Content Type	Example
1	Must-have	Product name, price
2	Should-have	Features, specs
3	Nice-to-have	Related products

2. Use Visual Cues

Guide users with:

Font size: Bigger = more important
Color: Contrast for key elements
Spacing: Group related items

3. Follow the F-Pattern

Users scan in an F-shape on mobile. Put key info top-left, use headings down the left side.

4. Chunk Your Content

Break text into bite-sized pieces:

Short paragraphs
Bullet points
Clear subheadings

Real-World Example

VIA Rail‘s rewards page is a mess. No clear sections, no visual hierarchy, just a wall of text.

Airbnb‘s mobile app does it right:

Big, clear headings
Grouped info (price, rating, location)
Visual separation between listings

Fix your content hierarchy, and you’ll see more engagement, faster task completion, and higher conversion rates.

9. Inconsistent Design

Inconsistent design is a UX nightmare. It’s like trying to read a book where every page uses a different font. Let’s dive into this problem and how to solve it.

The Problem

Imagine using an app where buttons keep moving around. Frustrating, right? That’s what inconsistent design does:

Screens look like they’re from different apps
Buttons and icons play hide-and-seek
Text sizes and fonts are all over the place

The result? Users get annoyed and might ditch your app.

How to Fix It

1. Create a Design System

Think of a design system as your app’s style bible. It keeps everything in check:

Element	What It Is	Example
Colors	Your brand’s palette	Main: #FF5733, Accent: #33FF57
Fonts	Text styles	Headers: Roboto 18pt, Body: Arial 14pt
Icons	Consistent symbols	Material Design icons
Spacing	Element gaps	Margins: 16px, Padding: 8px

2. Use Style Guides

Make a guide that shows how to use your design system. It’s like a cookbook for your app’s look.

3. Test Across Devices

Don’t forget to check your app on different gadgets. It should look good on all screens.

4. Stick to Platform Guidelines

Follow iOS or Android rules. It makes your app feel at home on each system.

Real-World Example

Strava, the fitness app, messed up. Their mobile app is black and orange, but their website looks totally different. It’s like walking into a store you know, but everything’s been rearranged.

To fix this, Strava should:

Use the same colors everywhere
Keep menus in the same spots
Use matching icons across devices

10. Ignoring Accessibility

Think accessibility is just a nice extra? Think again. It’s a must-have for mobile UX in the cannabis industry.

The Problem

By skipping accessibility, you’re locking out a massive market. In the U.S., 61 million adults have a disability. That’s a lot of potential customers left in the dark.

And it’s not just about disabilities. As we get older, we all need more accessible design. Here’s a kicker: Baby Boomers control 70% of all disposable income in the U.S. Can your business afford to ignore that?

How to Fix It

1. Run an Accessibility Audit

Use tools like WAVE or Lighthouse. They’ll catch issues you might miss.

2. Make It Keyboard-Friendly

Not everyone uses a mouse. Make sure your site works with just a keyboard.

3. Boost Contrast

Low contrast is a no-go. Aim for a contrast ratio of at least 4.5:1 for normal text.

4. Add Alt Text

Screen readers need this to describe images to users who can’t see them.

5. Caption Your Videos

This helps deaf users and anyone watching without sound.

Real-World Impact

In January 2024, Housing Works got hit with a $50,000 lawsuit for an ADA non-compliant site. They had to fix screen reader and navigation issues.

But it’s not all doom and gloom. Companies doing it right are reaping benefits. Uber added VoiceOver support and high-contrast colors. Bank of America‘s mobile app now has customizable text sizes and voice-guided navigation.

Quick Accessibility Checklist

Feature	Why It Matters	How to Implement
Alt Text	Helps screen readers describe images	Add descriptive text to all images
Keyboard Navigation	Allows use without a mouse	Ensure all interactive elements work with keyboard
Color Contrast	Makes text readable	Use tools to check contrast ratios
Captions	Helps deaf users and those in noisy environments	Add captions to all video content
Scalable Text	Helps users with visual impairments	Allow text to be resized without breaking layout

Conclusion

Mobile UX in cannabis isn’t just about looks—it’s about making customers’ lives easier. If your app is a pain, users will bail fast.

Here’s what matters:

1. User research is key

Don’t guess. Ask your customers what they want. Leafly surveys users regularly to improve their app. This led to 30% more engagement in 2023.

2. Simple and fast wins

Clutter and slow loads kill conversions. Weedmaps cut checkout steps from 7 to 3. Result? 25% more completed orders.

3. Make it accessible

Remember Housing Works’ $50k ADA lawsuit? Don’t be them. Make your app work for everyone.

4. Keep improving

Cannabis moves fast. Your UX should too. Eaze tests their app every two weeks. It’s why they have a 4.9-star App Store rating.

Bottom line: Great mobile UX in cannabis isn’t optional—it’s essential. It turns visitors into loyal customers.

Zach Santarsiero, VP Digital Marketing at CMO, says:

"Treat your website as an extension of the customer service you provide in person, and you’ll do just fine."

Take these lessons to heart. Your users (and profits) will thank you.