A Modern UX Playbook Part 2: The perils of standing still

Modernizing UX has become increasingly critical to staying competitive, in tandem with the increasing importance of the customer experience. Outdated UX creates a range of risks that hinder user satisfaction and business growth. The following are some of the key dangers of failing to update your UX design:

1. User frustration and drop-off

Did you know that nearly three out of four online users surveyed say they would abandon a slow or underperforming website and choose a competitor? Outdated or poorly designed UX frustrates users, encouraging them to “bounce” — to leave the application or web page. Common issues like difficult navigation, slow load times, and overly complex interfaces create negative user experiences that lead to increased drop-off rates. Even small delays in load times can significantly impact user engagement, making it essential to optimize performance and usability. When users encounter friction, they’re more likely to switch to a competitor.

2. Increased support, maintenance, and development costs

Outdated UX increases support, maintenance, and development costs by creating inefficiencies and challenges for users and developers alike. Confusing interfaces and poor usability means frustrated users, higher error rates, and more frequent support inquiries, driving up customer support costs. IBM^® reports that every 1% of failed UX design results in a 5% increase in support costs. Outdated systems are also expensive due to compatibility issues, bloated codebases, and security vulnerabilities. Scaling or adding features to them becomes cumbersome and extends development timelines and raises costs.

You also have to confront the lost productivity for internal users and missed opportunities with potential customers, shrinking revenue and inflating customer acquisition expenses. Training and onboarding are also more resource-intensive due to the steep learning curve and frequent updates to workarounds or training materials. Modernizing the UX reduces these costs, improves user satisfaction, and ensures the system remains efficient and competitive.

3. Loss of market share

Competitors with modern UX designs draw users away from applications with outdated interfaces. User expectations are high. And they’re more likely to switch to a competitor if they find a smoother, more intuitive experience.

As technology evolves, so do user needs and preferences. Companies that stay ahead of the curve by continuously enhancing their UX are better equipped to attract and retain customers. Investing in UX design not only improves customer satisfaction but also fosters brand loyalty, helping businesses build long-term relationships with their users and strengthen their competitive position.

4. Security vulnerabilities

Outdated UX compromises security by relying on legacy systems and technologies that lack modern updates and protections, with 17% of all cyberattacks targeting vulnerabilities in web applications.

Older UX may not support advanced authentication methods like multi-factor authentication or proper encryption. Confusing interfaces can lead to user errors, such as mishandling sensitive data or falling for phishing attempts. By modernizing UX, companies build platforms that meet the latest security standards, protect user data, and maintain trust — especially as threats from cybercriminals become more sophisticated.

5. Negative brand image

A poor UX harms a brand's reputation and signals to customers that the company is falling behind with the latest trends or technology. This lack of attention to UX can give users the feeling that the company is out of touch with their needs, reducing trust and loyalty. As a result, these brands struggle to maintain a positive public image and attract new customers, or retain existing ones.

6. Missed business opportunities

McKinsey & Co research revealed that companies with a design-forward strategy, as measured by the McKinsey Design Index, enjoyed nearly double the growth in revenues and shareholder returns compared to their industry counterparts. Failing to modernize UX causes companies to miss out on important growth and innovation opportunities. By incorporating the latest UX trends and technologies, businesses tap into new customer segments, offer new features, and outperform their competition.

Conclusion

The need to modernize UX is critical. A modern UX not only enhances user satisfaction but also drives business growth by improving user engagement, retention, and productivity. Failing to update and optimize UX results in higher costs, lost customers, and a weakened brand image. But by integrating the latest technologies and adhering to best practices, organizations deliver exceptional user experiences that meet and exceed user expectations.

Read the full white paper, The Value of a Modern UX: Revenue Strategies, Risk Aversion, and Design Excellence.

If you are interested in learning more about Rocket Uniface’s UX modernization features reach out to your Account Executive or email [email protected].