How UX Design Maximises ROI and Drives Business Growth

“If you think good design is expensive, you should look at the cost of bad design.” — Dr Ralf Speth, Chief Executive Officer, Jaguar Land Rover

A lot of the time, the real deciding factor between a business succeeding or failing comes down to User Experience.

Digital products can make a massive impact on business growth.

When user-centered design is at the core, businesses see improvements in both customer acquisition and retention.

Yet, many companies overlook it—often due to time constraints or the misconception that UX is expensive.

A little understanding of how even small investments in UX can improve your business’s bottom line over time can go a long way.

But first, let’s look at what happens when UX is ignored or done wrong:

The High Cost of Bad UX

Bad usability sinks businesses.

A staggering 70% of online businesses fail because users can’t navigate their sites or complete their tasks easily.

Every frustrating moment drives users away.

And when users leave, they rarely come back.

That’s not only bad news but also lost revenue.

On the other hand, businesses that prioritise UX design eliminate the roadblocks that cause users to abandon their journey.

An intuitive experience keeps visitors engaged and guides them from discovery to conversion.

Investing in UX means creating a frictionless path that maximises the value of every interaction.

How UX Minimises Failure

The human brain is prone to error.

As Don Norman points out in his book “The Design of Everyday Things”, humans are pre-destined to err—it’s part of our nature.

We make mistakes, overlook details, and misinterpret cues, especially when faced with complex systems or unclear designs.

So, when users hit a roadblock, it’s not a surprise.

If UX is overlooked, these errors are bound to happen, and without solutions in place, things can quickly go downhill.

The role of UX’ers is to understand these human tendencies and create designs that minimise the chances of failure.

When designers focus on reducing user errors (through intuitive navigation, clear instructions, visual cues etc.), they make it easier for users to succeed.

This not only improves the experience for individuals but also helps businesses.

Minimising mistakes and user frustration enhances user satisfaction, reduces the need for support, and ultimately boosts conversion rates.

The fewer errors users encounter, the more likely they are to engage with the product, trust the brand, and become repeat customers.

Users Don’t Tolerate Poor Experiences

38% of users abandon poorly designed apps or websites.

If you own a business, that’s over a third of your audience walking away because of design issues.

And once they’re gone, users won’t hesitate to share their dissatisfaction with others, which can hurt your brand’s reputation.

To retain users, you’ve got to make them feel valued.

It all starts with understanding who they are and giving them a smooth, engaging experience.

Investing in good UX shows customers that your business cares about their experience and the result is their loyalty.

Who knows, users who stick around might even spread the word about how great your brand is.

Speed Is Everything

Every second matters.

Slow websites cost businesses billions each year, with studies showing that just a 1-second delay in page load time can reduce conversions by up to 7%.

Users expect almost instant loading times—anything slower and they’ll bounce to a competitor who can deliver.

And when I say instant, I mean under 2 seconds.

The First Contentful Paint (FCP)—the moment the first piece of content appears on the screen—should ideally be under 1.8 seconds.

While developers typically track this, good UX’ers design with speed in mind from the start, ensuring users aren’t left waiting at any point.

The goal is to keep them engaged and satisfied the moment they land on a site.

Fast load times and smooth performance boost user satisfaction, improve conversions, and give businesses a serious edge.

Why Accessibility Needs to Be Part of a Business Strategy

Did you know that 1 in 6 people worldwide live with a disability?

If your product isn’t accessible to everyone, you’re missing out on a large, diverse audience.

Apart from it being a legal requirement (which can backfire on your business if neglected)—it’s an opportunity to connect with more customers and build a more inclusive brand.

Good UX design makes sure that all users, including those with disabilities, can easily interact with your website/app/product.

When your product is accessible, you’re not only complying with regulations but also opening the door to a broader, loyal customer base.

Small Efforts, Big Wins

Good UX doesn’t have to cost a fortune.

Here is an interesting fact:

85% of usability issues can be solved by testing just five users.

Yep, five.

Just five people can uncover major pain points, helping you focus on what really matters.

This makes testing incredibly efficient and affordable.

It’s a cheap and easy way to make sure your product actually works for your audience.

No need for costly changes if you catch the problems early.

A little UX testing goes a long way in making sure your product’s on track and your business stays ahead.

The ROI of UX

For every $1 spent on UX design, businesses can expect a return of $100.

That’s equivalent to around £80, depending on the exchange rate.

That’s a staggering 9,900% ROI.

This shows that great UX is not an expense but rather an investment with serious returns.

Investments in UX lead to meaningful, practical improvements.

And even if they’re seemingly small, they significantly affect your business’s financial performance, by increasing conversions, reducing customer support costs, and boosting customer retention.

Why Good UX Can’t Wait

Neglecting UX is a serious risk.

Bad UX can alienate users, diminish trust, and lead to lost business opportunities.

A website optimised for UX can increase its conversion rate by up to 200%.

So, if you’re not prioritising UX, you’re giving up valuable business.

As simple as that.

As the digital world keeps changing, offering a smooth, easy-to-use experience is what’s going to set businesses apart from the competition.

When you make sure people can get things done quickly and without frustration, you’re essentially helping them put money in your pocket.

Happy users stick around, share your brand with others, and help you grow.

Your users—and your business—will thank you.

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Sources:

1. 25+ Useful User Experience Statistics [2023]: What Is The Value Of UX? by Zippia
2. First Contentful Paint (FCP) by Philip Walton (web.dev)

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