Designing a web application might seem simple but anyone who’s worked in web design knows it’s more complicated.

Even if the app sounds simple, it quickly turns into hours of work, so many screens, pieces, and effort just to map out how it all fits. And still, even with a clear flow and all the details, it’s easy for designers and developers to miss a few important things.

That’s where experienced individuals or a seasoned web design agency really shine. They know how to spot the details others often overlook.

To help you avoid common mistakes, here’s a short list of small but important things that many people miss when designing a web application.

Essential Elements of Web App Design

1. Empty State

An empty state is often treated like an afterthought during application design. It usually ends up on the list of least important requirements. But here’s the funny thing—despite the name, an empty state is exactly where the user journey begins. The very first screen of most dashboards is an empty one, so it deserves a lot more attention than it gets.

So, what does a good empty state actually look like? Well, for starters, it should guide the user. A solid empty state includes a clear and helpful call to action (CTA) that points them in the right direction.

Let’s say it’s an investment app. A good CTA would encourage the user to start investing. Simple enough. But we can’t always expect people to jump right in, so it’s smart to add another, softer option—like a low-key prompt that invites them to explore different investment choices. This way, the user doesn’t feel pressured, but still has a clear next step.

Or take a photo or video editing app. When someone lands on the empty screen, the most natural prompt would be to upload a photo or video to get started with editing. It’s direct, and it makes sense.

But here’s the thing—just placing a CTA isn’t enough. It’s the same with your design. A good CTA should come with a friendly, helpful message. Something that makes the next step clear, while also encouraging the user to move forward. It should feel thoughtful and human, not robotic or cold.

These small touches might seem minor, but they’re what make a product feel polished and it’s exactly the kind of detail that sets apart great web design from average work.

2. Expand and Collapse Options for the Side-Menu

Where there’s a large web application, there’s usually a long side menu. And when there’s a side menu, it almost always comes with an expand-collapse feature.

Unfortunately, more often than it should, designers forget to account for either the expanded or collapsed version. While both states aren’t always central to the app’s core flow, they’re still important. And that’s exactly why even skilled UX/UI designers sometimes overlook them.

But why are we placing so much importance on the side menu? In its collapsed state, the menu typically shows only icons. But not everyone can immediately recognize what each icon means. Even when designers use the most intuitive icons possible, there’s often at least one that confuses users.

More importantly, without text labels, screen readers can’t interpret what’s in the menu—leaving visually impaired users without guidance. That’s a major accessibility issue.

On the flip side, if you design only for the expanded menu, users on smaller screens can struggle. A wide menu can take up too much space, making it hard to navigate the rest of the interface comfortably.

That’s why both menu states matter and why overlooking them can quietly hurt the user experience.

3. Supporting Elements like Dropdowns and Pop-ups

When designing a web application, a good designer or agency starts by planning out the user flow. From there, it turns into wireframes, and then into the final designs.

The issue with wireframes and designs is that they mainly focus on the main screens needed to make the app work. Smaller, important elements like dropdowns and pop-ups often get overlooked. This leads to a lot of back and forth, with the developer, client, and designer constantly adding in the missing pieces.

One way to avoid this is to design the supporting elements along the way. But the best way to make sure everything’s covered is by creating a clickable prototype. While some wait until the end to make the prototype, creating a simple one alongside the wireframe helps bring all the details into focus. That way, you can catch anything that’s missing early on.

At VareWeb, we don’t miss any important elements, leading to a smoother experience for everyone involved.

4. CRUD Function for Every Information

So, what’s CRUD all about? CRUD stands for: Create – Read – Update – Delete

These are the four basic actions any user needs when they put information into an app.

Let’s use a phone number as an example.

• Create: If the app asks for it, the user should be able to add their phone number.

• Read: They should be able to see their number whenever they need to check it.

• Update: If they change their phone number or want to link a new one, they should be able to update it easily.

• Delete: And, if they want to remove it, they should have the option to delete it. But if the app needs the number to function (like WhatsApp does), the user should get a heads-up before they delete it.

CRUD isn’t just about letting people do what they want with their data—it’s about building trust. When users know they can make changes or delete things without any trouble, they’re way more likely to stick with the app and explore it more.

5. Search  Option and Search Results Page

Let’s talk about something you just can’t skip on any website or web app: the search bar. It’s kind of like the enquiry desk at a shopping mall. When you’re looking for something specific but can’t find it, the person at the desk helps you track it down or at least points you in the right direction if it’s not available.

The search bar works the same way. It lets users quickly find what they need in an app or on a website. And if what they’re looking for isn’t there, it can show them something close or similar instead.

But here’s the problem: a search bar isn’t enough on its own. You also need to think about the search results page. Designers often add the search bar to the header and forget about the results page. Why? Because it’s not always part of the main flow.

This can leave developers trying to figure out what the search results page should look like, and in the end, it doesn’t match the rest of the app’s design.

The fix? When you design the search bar, also make a note about the search results page. That way, everything stays consistent, and nothing gets left out.

6.  Profile & Account Manager

You’ve worked on the main screens, added all the features, and thought through how users will use the app.

But did you remember to let them customize their profile?

A profile manager is really important. It lets users update their details, make things personal to them, and keep everything running smoothly. When they first sign up, just ask for the basics. Then, as they go along, remind them to finish setting up their profile. Here’s what a profile manager can do:

• Let users update their info when needed.

• Let them change any details that are outdated.

• Let them change the app’s settings to match their style.

• Show them their progress in the app so they can see what they’ve done.

Giving users the chance to adjust things shows you care about how they experience the app. And that’s something important to remember when designing it.

7. Passwordless Authentication

Imagine if we didn’t have to remember all those passwords and PINs. That would be a relief, right? Well, you can help make life easier for your users by getting rid of passwords altogether. How? By using passwordless authentication.

More and more people are ditching passwords. Think about it – we all have multiple email addresses, and when you need to log into an old app, it’s a pain trying to remember which email and password you used.

Instead of asking for emails and passwords, just ask for the user’s phone number. Send them a one-time code (OTP) to log them in. It’s fast, easy, and way less stressful. You can still ask for an email and password when they first sign up, but after that, let them skip the password step. Simple, right?

At VareWeb, we focus on making things easy for users, because the simpler the process, the more likely they are to stick around.

8. Onboarding

When you buy something new, it usually comes with a manual, right? It’s not because the product is hard to use, but because there are always little things you might not know. A manual helps you understand the product better.

The same goes for web design. Not everyone will know how to use every feature right away, especially if they’re new to your app. That’s where an onboarding process comes in.

Onboarding could be a quick video, a few screens showing key steps, or even helpful tooltips as they navigate the app. Whatever you choose, the goal is to make it clear and easy for users to get the hang of things without feeling confused.

And don’t forget to make sure users can always revisit this info if they need a reminder.

9. Billing Details & Payment Methods

What if you encountered an application where you couldn’t update your payment method or change your card details? That would be frustrating, right?

Most individuals fail to pay enough attention to billing details, but actually they are important in making proper payments. Users should be allowed to change payment information whenever they want; for instance, updating a given card or even changing a mode of payment.

When designing a web app, it’s important to make this process simple. Giving users the ability to manage their payment methods easily helps keep the experience smooth and stress-free.

Conclusion

What small details might your UX/UI designer overlook when designing your web application? While there are plenty of things that could be missed, these are the key points to focus on. Make sure your designer takes the time to review them, ensuring a smooth and seamless design and development process.

Excited about getting your web application designed? At VareWeb, we’ll make sure everything is taken care of in the design file. Just reach out, and we’ll help bring your vision to life!