The UX advantage: how smart design solutions can overcome business hurdles

But there’s a way forward. It lies in understanding users — not just who they are, but how they think, what they need, and where they struggle. Once you see those pain points clearly, it becomes possible to design solutions that create moments of delight. This, in turn, brings a wealth of benefits. 

Smoother processes lead to higher conversions. Better experiences build stronger loyalty. And when customers feel understood, they stick around and tell others. So, the importance of user experience is clear, and in this article, we’ll explore how it can help overcome business hurdles.

Why UX design is important for modern business

As a product owner, you’re doing everything you can to grow its presence online. But let’s pause for a moment — because you also use apps and platforms yourself, right? Now, think about how those experiences felt to you. 

Maybe one time, the navigation was confusing, the buttons didn’t work as expected, or it took too many steps to get anything done. No matter how valuable the product was, that poor experience likely stuck with you — and perhaps even made you abandon it altogether. This is the cost of neglecting UX design in your product: users leave, and opportunities are lost.

A product may solve a real problem, but if it’s confusing or difficult to use, people will simply move on.

Good UX design, in turn, removes barriers and makes interacting with a platform natural. It focuses on the user’s perspective, addressing pain points and making every click effortless. By optimizing cognitive load, accessibility, and ease of navigation, UX helps you create products that don’t just function well but genuinely meet people’s needs. This clarity and connection keep users coming back.

The results ripple across a business. UX improves metrics like conversion rates, customer retention, and even word-of-mouth recommendations. It lowers churn by keeping customers engaged and creates opportunities to build loyalty over time. 

Common business challenges solved by UX

When a product feels intuitive, it’s easy to forget just how much thought went into getting it there. Every business faces its own unique challenges and tackles them in different ways. To give you a clearer understanding of how this works (or maybe even share a helpful tip or two), we’ll break it down in detail below. 

1. Poor conversion rates

Poor conversion rates are a frustrating reality for many businesses. Even when presented with a solid product, potential clients may leave before they get the chance to see its value. Sometimes, the issue is unclear messaging or perhaps the onboarding process that is more like an obstacle than a guide. Whatever the reason, if users don’t connect with the platform quickly, they’ll move on — taking your growth opportunities with them.

If you’re unsure where to start, a UX audit can provide the needed direction. In our article, UX audit steps and tools, we explore how targeted improvements to usability and user flow can breathe new life into underperforming platforms.

With a smart UX design approach, you can address these challenges and smooth the path for new customers. Intuitive and helpful onboarding experiences often rely on techniques like progressive disclosure, guided tutorials, and contextual tooltips. This way, you help people grasp how a product functions and why it’s worth their time. More so, when paired with conversion rate optimization services, these design tweaks can help reduce friction and turn first impressions into lasting connections.

2. Low user engagement

In cases when users finally sign up, the journey doesn’t stop there. Keeping them engaged can be just as difficult as getting them to convert initially. Many businesses find themselves puzzled when consumer activity starts to drop off — people explore the product briefly and then lose interest. This lack of engagement directly affects retention and long-term growth.

One common culprit is a disconnect between what users expect and what the platform delivers. This gap can stem from unclear value propositions, overly complicated features, or interfaces that fail to guide naturally. To solve this, UX designers focus on creating experiences that are functional and engaging. Gamification elements, such as progress tracking or achievement badges, can make interactions satisfying. 

3. Complex workflows

Complex workflows can be a silent killer of business progress. When users face too many steps, confusing processes, or unnecessary friction, frustration builds quickly, impacting teams and entire businesses. Products designed to simplify tasks can unintentionally become a source of complexity, leaving visitors struggling to achieve their goals efficiently.

Testing and iteration are crucial when addressing complex workflows. Observing how real users interact with the system can reveal hidden pain points that might not be immediately apparent. With these insights, designers can streamline and simplify the experience properly.

Our UX experts, for example, tackle hurdles by breaking workflows down into manageable steps and removing redundancies. Methods like task prioritization ensure that customers only see what they need at the right moment, reducing cognitive load. Visual hierarchy plays a key role here as well — clear layouts, intuitive icons, and well-placed calls to action guide people naturally through even the most intricate processes.

When workflows are simplified, users gain confidence in the product, making it a tool they rely on daily.

4. Decision fatigue among users

If people are faced with too many choices or overly complex options, their ability to make decisions diminishes. For businesses, it means a quiet but significant drain on conversions and retention. Smart UX design solutions can guide users directly toward the desired actions. We are talking about limiting visible options, using concise language, and implementing pre-filled defaults.

All of these tricks can simplify the decision-making process. Visual cues, such as recommended actions or highlighted options, also help clients quickly identify the best path forward without getting lost. 

Psychological principles play a big role here. Understanding how consumers think and make decisions allows designers to craft experiences that reduce cognitive overload. For a deeper exploration of these strategies, check out our article, The influence of psychology and UX. With insights in hand, you’ll better understand the audience and find a way to enhance the overall experience with meaningful interactions.

5. Unclear product positioning

When users come across a product for the first time — be it a landing page, an app, or a platform — they need clarity. Two critical questions must be tackled immediately: Where am I? and What should I do next? If these answers aren’t obvious, visitors feel disoriented and are more likely to leave. This lack of precision, often tied to the ambiguity effect, creates confusion and erodes trust.

Effective UX design addresses this hurdle by providing a smooth experience from the very first interaction. Visual hierarchies, consistent content placement, and clear CTA buttons guide users through the interface. Supporting elements like contrasting colors, intuitive icons, and well-structured navigation work together to help visitors understand where they are and know exactly how to proceed.

However, the design alone isn’t enough. Content plays a key role in shaping how people perceive and interact with the product. Well-crafted copy ensures that your value proposition resonates immediately. If this task seems complicated, there are content marketing professionals who can handle it with ease, providing messaging that is clear, impactful, and user-centered.

6. Inconsistency across platforms

As businesses grow and evolve, maintaining a consistent identity across platforms becomes a challenge. Over time, you might notice that your app, website, landing page, and even social media channels begin to look disconnected, each presenting a slightly different version of your brand. While this may not seem critical at first, it can lead to confusion among the audience and weaken the trust they place in your product.

Consistency is not just matching colors or fonts — it’s creating a unified experience no matter where users interact with the brand. UX designers tackle this by connecting all components through cohesive design systems and visual standards. These ensure that every element, from navigation menus to call-to-action buttons, is a part of a single, coherent story.

Adhering to the principle of consistency is especially crucial when building trust and recognition for startups. At this stage, startup branding services can have a significant impact. By creating a strong, unified identity across all platforms, professionals help businesses stand out in competitive markets and establish lasting connections with their audience.

7. Lack of customization and personalization

Personalization delivers tailored experiences by anticipating what users want, while customization gives people control to shape their own interactions. Together, these approaches create more meaningful connections, guaranteeing everyone is understood and valued.

Achieving the right balance, however, isn’t something everyone manages to do. Poorly executed personalization can feel invasive or irrelevant, while too many customization options may leave clients overwhelmed. UX design helps businesses strike this goal, ensuring that all features add value without becoming a burden. Techniques like intelligent defaults, contextual suggestions, and user-driven settings enable products to be intuitive and adaptable without causing frustration.

The interesting fact is that, according to McKinsey, implementing personalization can boost revenue by nearly 40%. For businesses, this means an opportunity to unlock significant growth potential by delivering value that is tailored and relevant to each individual.

8. Low accessibility

The web accessibility principle was laid in 1999 with the publication of the first Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG 1.0). Since then, this concept become one of the most important aspects of creating a successful product. 

When digital platforms aren’t designed with all users in mind, they can exclude large groups of people — those with disabilities, older adults, or even those with temporary impairments. This lack of inclusivity creates barriers for individuals and limits the product’s potential reach.

Improving accessibility starts with designing for inclusivity. UX designers create interfaces that are usable by everyone, regardless of their abilities. Features like keyboard navigation, screen reader compatibility, and adjustable text sizes are just a few examples of how accessibility can be built into a product. If you’re interested in exploring this further, our article, What is inclusive design, discovers how creating platforms that work for all users can lead to greater engagement, trust, and loyalty.

Accessibility is a must-have component of thoughtful, user-centered design that benefits both users and businesses.

9. Outdated design solutions

Design that once felt cutting-edge can quickly lose its appeal as user expectations and technology evolve. Outdated solutions can frustrate consumers with clunky interfaces, slow interactions, or visuals that no longer inspire trust. And when your product is out of sync with modern standards, it risks being perceived as irrelevant, no matter how well it performs.

Refreshing designs start with addressing key areas. For this, you can simplify cluttered layouts to make navigation intuitive or update typography to modern styles. Incorporating subtle animations — like transitions that guide users through complex actions — creates clarity and keeps the experience engaging. For inspiration, platforms like Awwwards, Dribbble, and Behance offer a wealth of ideas and showcase innovative approaches to design.

Looking ahead, future UX trends are shaping the way users interact with products. One example of this is voice interfaces, which are becoming more popular as they offer hands-free convenience and accessibility. Using this tech means you can reach more people, including those with accessibility needs, while keeping your brand relevant and ahead of the game.

10. Customer support overload

Once customer support teams are overwhelmed with inquiries, it’s often a sign that something in the user experience isn’t working. People may struggle to find answers on their own or be confused by unclear processes. This overload doesn’t just strain support teams — it leads to longer response times, lower satisfaction, and frustrated customers who might not come back.

Good UX design can significantly reduce the demand for customer support by addressing common pain points before they escalate. Clear interfaces help users navigate products, while well-organized FAQs and in-app help tools provide immediate solutions. Features like chatbot assistance or interactive guides can further empower individuals to resolve issues independently, cutting down on the need for direct support.

When people can easily find what they need without reaching out for help, the benefits are twofold. Support teams can dedicate their attention to more advanced issues, enhancing efficiency while customers enjoy a smoother, frustration-free experience. 

How UX design changes business value: practices and solutions

As we’ve seen, every challenge has its own unique roots, but all of them can be tackled with the right solutions from a skilled design team. Identifying problems is only half the battle — it’s the creative, practical approaches that truly make a difference. To move beyond theory, in the next sections, we’ll show you real-world UX designs crafted by the Halo Lab team that deliver tangible value to businesses.

Praiseworthy

Praiseworthy is an employee recognition platform designed to help businesses foster motivation, engagement, and a culture of success. Targeted at small and medium-sized companies in the US and UK, it needed a consistent brand and design language to scale effectively.

With a clear mission in mind, we developed a unique branding concept consistent across all platforms. Our team created custom covers for various social media channels, tailoring them to meet the specific size and format requirements. This way, the brand looks polished and cohesive wherever it appears.

On the app itself, we carefully integrated textures into some elements, reflecting the branding without adding unnecessary complexity. Additional features like category search for smoother navigation and diverse avatar options enriched the user experience. For clarity, we expanded the color palette with red, yellow, and blue to represent error/danger, warning, and informational states.

To boost engagement, our designers added illustrated round stickers as playful alternatives to traditional UI elements. They were incorporated into banners, pop-ups, and the Login/Sign-Up pages, creating a lively and immersive environment. Texture shapes and doodles were a personal and friendly touch, ensuring the application felt approachable and vibrant.

Umano

Umano is an Australian tech company dedicated to enhancing collaboration among team members across various industries. Given the platform’s feature-rich nature, our design direction was focused on creating intuitive flow and user-friendly customization options.

We developed a layout that makes it easy to switch between tabs. A left-hand sidebar serves as the primary navigation panel, while the main window displays the relevant information. To optimize the user experience, we included an option to collapse the sidebar, allowing people to focus on their tasks without unnecessary distractions.

Customization was a key feature of the design. We added options for subscribers to personalize their accounts and projects according to their specific needs. This includes customizing the interface, managing integrations, and selecting their account plan. Adjacent to the settings icon, an informative icon where people can access blogs, guides, video tutorials, or even join the community was included.

To help customers track their performance, our experts introduced clickable metrics blocks displaying dynamic figures that highlight areas of high and low efficiency. For better data visualization, we restructured tables and charts into a clean, distraction-free layout. Additionally, the team used a card system to organize information on pages, making the data more readable.

LinkByCar

LinkByCar is a SaaS startup revolutionizing how vehicle data is collected, processed, and aggregated. With the usage of AI, the platform predicts vehicle behavior for safe journeys. Partnering with car manufacturers like Stellantis, Mercedes, and BMW, LinkByCar is well-positioned to expand its reach across Europe.

In an industry where competitors often present information monotonously, we decided to focus on a modern and accessible interface. We categorized data and introduced filters across the pages, enabling users to sort vehicles by model, year, service date, or distance. People can also view data for individual cars or analyze aggregate statistics for multiple selected vehicles.

To further simplify workflows, our experts implemented a full-screen map that displays numerous cars and their locations. When individuals select one or more vehicles, a list with statistics appears, keeping their focus on the map while providing the necessary details. Flexible layouts allow users to hide unused elements, reducing visual clutter and adapting the interface to their specific needs.

For this platform, we also added a left-hand sidebar for navigation, personalized account settings, and a dedicated support section with guides, API references, FAQs, and contact options. By balancing advanced functionality with user-centric design, our team created an app that feels approachable for people of all technological backgrounds.

How to start enhancing UX for your product

Considering all the information we’ve covered so far, the importance of user experience in design is undeniable. And to start enhancing your product from all sides, you need to take several steps. In the following sections, we’ll share with you some actionable tips on where to start and how to make it happen.

Order a UX audit

If you’re serious about improving your product, UX audit services are the perfect place to start. As we’ve discussed earlier, this analysis is essential for uncovering hidden issues, understanding user behavior, and identifying areas that need improvement. It’s a comprehensive process that shines a light on what’s working — and what’s not — allowing you to make data-driven decisions. 

If you want to learn more about the value and methodology of an audit, check out our article How to conduct UX design audit. Performing an audit lays a great foundation for turning challenges into opportunities.

Invest in ongoing user research

Once you’ve addressed the immediate issues through a UX audit, the next step is to focus on ongoing research. To stay in tune with the target audience, it’s important to keep asking questions, testing assumptions, and gathering insights. People’s behavior and preferences change over time, so it’s important to deal with these issues in a timely way if you want your business to keep on going.

At Halo Lab, we offer product research services to help you uncover such critical insights. By continuously engaging with the audience — through surveys, usability tests, and interviews — we can identify shifting needs and refine your platform accordingly. 

Collaborate with UX experts

Even with a clear understanding of the audience and their needs, bringing those visions to life requires expert knowledge. Partnering with skilled UI & UX design professionals can transform your ideas into a user-friendly interface. With their experience in solving complex design challenges, every element of the product will be carefully crafted so you don’t have to struggle through it all on your own.

Our team works hand in hand with you to design solutions that meet audience needs and reflect brand identity. By the end of our collaboration, be sure you’ll receive a design that leaves a lasting impression.

UX design matters

As we reach the end, we hope we’ve answered the question, “Why is UX design important for business?” The fact is that the simpler and more intuitive the interface, the easier and more enjoyable life becomes for its users. So, as you take in what you’ve learned here, remember this: every small improvement to the product’s design is a step toward achieving your goals and providing real value to end users. And that’s what success truly looks like.