/ Articles -
Web & UX Design
Why breaking Jakob’s Law could ruin your site’s UX
April 8, 2025
Ever visited a website that just felt... wrong? It likely broke Jakob’s Law; one of UX design’s golden rules. If your site doesn’t work like other sites people use every day, they’ll get confused, annoyed, and bounce.
What is Jakob’s Law in UX?
Jakob’s Law (named after usability expert Jakob Nielsen) is simple:
"Users spend most of their time on other websites. They expect yours to work the same way." (Jakob Nielsen)
In other words, people don’t want to "learn" how to use your site. They expect navigation, layouts, and interactions to be familiar. If your website does things differently, just for the sake of being different, you’re making them work harder. And that’s never a good thing.
Why ignoring Jakob’s Law hurts your website’s usability
Some designers try to be unique by changing standard design patterns. They put the navigation at the side, use hidden menus in places where users don’t expect them, or reinvent buttons, . The problem? It confuses people.
Here’s what happens when you ignore Jakob’s Law in web design:
Users get frustrated – If they can’t find what they need fast, they leave.
Higher bounce rates – People don’t stick around to figure out your “cool” navigation. They just go to a competitor’s site instead.
Lost credibility – If your site feels weird or unintuitive, visitors might think your business is unprofessional too.
Just becase you as the creator think something is super clear and easy to understand doesn't mean everyone else will think the same.
How to use Jakob’s Law to improve design
There’s a reason why almost every major website follows the same structure:
✓ Logo in the top left
✓ Navigation at the top
✓ Clickable buttons that look like buttons
It’s not because designers lack creativity, it’s because this works. Users don’t want to waste time figuring out how to use your site. They just want it to feel natural and intuitive.
When is it okay to break Jakob’s Law?
Jacob’s Law doesn’t mean you can never experiment. It just means that if you do, you need a good reason. For example:
Innovative products – If your app or website introduces a new concept, users might be more open to learning a new way of interacting.
Small, controlled changes – Adding micro-interactions or unique animations is fine as long as the core structure remains familiar.
User-tested improvements – If you’re making a change, test it! If users struggle, it’s probably not worth keeping.
Final thoughts
Good web design isn’t about being different. It’s about being usable. If your site is frustrating, visitors will leave no matter how “creative” it looks. Stick to familiar patterns, make navigation intuitive, and remember: the best UX is invisible.
Now, take a look at your website. Are you helping users or confusing them?
To dive deeper into essential web design mistakes and their solutions, check out my article on common web mistakes and how to fix them.
💡Quick recap
What is Jakob’s Law? Users spend most of their time on other websites, so they expect yours to work the same way.
Why is it important in web design? Ignoring Jakob’s Law makes websites confusing, which leads to frustration, higher bounce rates, and lost conversions.
How can I apply it to my site? Stick with familiar navigation, consistent layouts, and predictable interactions to keep your UX intuitive.
What people are saying
Why most small businesses fail at marketing
Most small businesses don’t fail because their product is bad. They fail because their marketing is confusing, inconsistent, or honestly almost non-existent. And the worst part? It’s usually not their fault. Nobody teaches you how to do marketing when you start a company. You’re expected to magically “know” how to grow.
But marketing doesn’t need to be complicated. It just needs to be clear.
Below are the most common mistakes I see small businesses make, and what you should do instead. If you want your business to grow, start here.
Atlassian buying The browser company: Arc sold
When Atlassian in September 2025 announced they're buying The Browser Company, the team behind Arc, the internet reacted with a mix of surprise and fear. Arc was never a typical browser. It was loved for its clean design, creative energy, and small-team charm. Atlassian, on the other hand, is best known for tools like Jira, Trello, and Confluence, words that don’t exactly scream “fun.”
But this might be one of those rare acquisitions that actually makes sense. If Atlassian plays it right, Arc’s design vision and Atlassian’s AI and productivity focus could hopefully turn into something much bigger.
Why generative AI isn’t really intelligent
People often think of generative AI tools like ChatGPT as “intelligent.” At first glance, it feels true. The answers are fast, convincing, and often sound smart. But here’s the reality: these systems don’t actually understand anything. They don’t make choices, form opinions, or check facts. Instead, they predict the next word based on patterns in huge amounts of data.
Why building a website is harder than you think
Building a website sounds simple. In theory it's drag, drop & publish. But in reality, it’s a mix of design, SEO, accessibility, and technical details that take years to master. Here’s why doing it yourself often costs more time than hiring a pro.
5 sneaky tricks marketers use to influence buying decisions
Ever bought something on impulse and wondered why? That’s no accident, marketers use psychological tricks to nudge your decisions every day and people often don’t notice.
From pricing illusions to decision-making hacks, here are five sneaky ways companies get inside your head (and how you can use them to your advantage).
The fall of Arc: Great design isn’t enough to save a browser
Arc wasn’t just a browser, it was a bold reimagining of how the internet could feel. It was sleek, focused, and built for creativity. But now, the browser that once felt like the future is quietly fading away.
For many people, Arc Browser felt like the first browser actually made for users and not just ad revenue. So why is it suddenly being discontinued?
Keep scrolling down
You might also like
Why most small businesses fail at marketing
Most small businesses don’t fail because their product is bad. They fail because their marketing is confusing, inconsistent, or honestly almost non-existent. And the worst part? It’s usually not their fault. Nobody teaches you how to do marketing when you start a company. You’re expected to magically “know” how to grow.
But marketing doesn’t need to be complicated. It just needs to be clear.
Below are the most common mistakes I see small businesses make, and what you should do instead. If you want your business to grow, start here.
Atlassian buying The browser company: Arc sold
When Atlassian in September 2025 announced they're buying The Browser Company, the team behind Arc, the internet reacted with a mix of surprise and fear. Arc was never a typical browser. It was loved for its clean design, creative energy, and small-team charm. Atlassian, on the other hand, is best known for tools like Jira, Trello, and Confluence, words that don’t exactly scream “fun.”
But this might be one of those rare acquisitions that actually makes sense. If Atlassian plays it right, Arc’s design vision and Atlassian’s AI and productivity focus could hopefully turn into something much bigger.
Why generative AI isn’t really intelligent
People often think of generative AI tools like ChatGPT as “intelligent.” At first glance, it feels true. The answers are fast, convincing, and often sound smart. But here’s the reality: these systems don’t actually understand anything. They don’t make choices, form opinions, or check facts. Instead, they predict the next word based on patterns in huge amounts of data.
5 sneaky tricks marketers use to influence buying decisions
Ever bought something on impulse and wondered why? That’s no accident, marketers use psychological tricks to nudge your decisions every day and people often don’t notice.
From pricing illusions to decision-making hacks, here are five sneaky ways companies get inside your head (and how you can use them to your advantage).
The fall of Arc: Great design isn’t enough to save a browser
Arc wasn’t just a browser, it was a bold reimagining of how the internet could feel. It was sleek, focused, and built for creativity. But now, the browser that once felt like the future is quietly fading away.
For many people, Arc Browser felt like the first browser actually made for users and not just ad revenue. So why is it suddenly being discontinued?
Explore my work
Web Design
Karlsson bil
Karlsson Bil is a car dealership based in Varberg, specializing in buying, selling, and restoring vehicles, including the exclusive Lignon Scandinavia line of handcrafted Land Rover Defenders. I worked on designing a website that blends the heritage of the classic Defender with a modern, sleek aesthetic. The focus was on creating a smooth, intuitive browsing experience, making it easy for users to explore the inventory, learn about bespoke restorations, and navigate the buying and selling process with confidence.
Tools used
Wix Studio & Custom code
Web Design & Branding
Carin Fredén
Carin Fredén is a Malmö-based photographer and photo editor specializing in high-quality business photography and visual branding. Her website showcases her work and services, helping businesses enhance their visual identity through images.
Tools used
Wix Studio, Figma & code
.png)
