7 mistakes to avoid when building UI for streaming app (and how to get it right)

Picture this: you’ve just launched your brand-new video streaming application. The interface is sleek, the content library is packed, and you’re ready to take on the world. But then the complaints start rolling in—users are frustrated, engagement drops, and you’re left wondering where it all went wrong. Building a video streaming app is a delicate balance—one mistake, and your users might flock to your competitors.

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But it doesn’t have to be this way.
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In this blog, I’ll outline the seven critical mistakes that can undermine your video streaming app before it even launches. By learning from these common pitfalls, you can ensure your app delivers a seamless experience that keeps users coming back. Let’s dive in.

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1. Loosing users the fastest way by neglecting the user journey

Think about the last time you used Netflix or YouTube. Did you have to think twice about where to find your favorite show, how to continue watching something from where you left off, or how to discover new content? Probably not. That’s because both Netflix and YouTube have brilliantly excelled in the art of the user journey, making it so seamless.

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When you open Netflix, you’re greeted with a personalized homepage that immediately shows you content you’re likely to enjoy based on your viewing history. Whether it’s the “Continue Watching” row that lets you pick up exactly where you left off, or the “Because You Watched” recommendations that introduce you to new shows and movies. Every step of the user journey is meticulously crafted to keep you engaged without you even realizing it.

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It’s about creating a fluid, intuitive experience that keeps users immersed in the content. Netflix’s autoplay feature, for instance, automatically starts the next episode in a series, reducing the friction of having to search for it. YouTube’s ability to remember exactly where you left off in a video, even if you switch devices, ensures that your experience is consistent and uninterrupted.

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The lesson: Neglecting the user journey in your streaming app is a risk that can drive users away. To have better user journey, you need to ensure that every interaction—from the moment a user opens your app to the time they close it—is designed to be as effortless and engaging as possible. Map out every step your users might take and optimize those touchpoints to create a journey that feels both natural and enjoyable.

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2. How you onboard makes your users stay...

Another critical mistake is overcomplicating the onboarding process. Users want to start streaming quickly, and any unnecessary barriers will only lead to frustration and drop-offs. Asking for too much information upfront or requiring multiple steps before users can begin watching content is a surefire way to lose them.

When designing an app, it’s also crucial to accommodate different user preferences. For instance, optional onboarding tutorials allow tech-savvy users to skip instructions, while letting users explore the app and its content before requiring them to sign up can significantly enhance their experience. Disney+ Hotstar is a great example of this approach, as it showcases popular content and membership benefits first, then prompts sign-up, leading to a smoother onboarding process and increased logins.

The lesson: Keep onboarding simple and user-friendly. Allow users to sign up with just a few clicks, ideally through social media logins or a quick email signup. Once they’re in, guide them with clear, concise instructions, but avoid bogging them down with unnecessary steps. Your goal is to get users watching content as quickly and seamlessly as possible.

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3. Failing to design for multiple devices

In today’s world, users expect to access content on a wide range of devices—from smartphones and tablets to desktops and smart TVs. If your video streaming application doesn’t deliver a consistent and high-quality experience across all these platforms, you’re missing out on a huge chunk of your audience.  

Inconsistency can be incredibly frustrating for users who switch between devices throughout the day. You need to ensure that your app delivers a seamless experience, regardless of the device being used. Use flexible grids to adjust layouts for different screen sizes. Ensure that interactive elements like buttons and links are large enough to be easily tapped on touchscreens. This typically means a minimum touch target size of 48x48 pixels, according to Google’s Material Design guidelines.

While touch screens rely on direct interactions, desktops benefit from hover states. Ensure that buttons and interactive elements display different states when hovered over with a mouse.

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4. Too many choices doesn’t let ‘them’ decide

Having a vast library of content is a double-edged sword. While it’s great to offer variety, presenting users with too many options can lead to decision fatigue, where they become overwhelmed and struggle to make a choice. This can result in them giving up and leaving your app.

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Forty-three percent of consumers report that they give up on the search for content, if they can’t find it in a few minutes. Despite having so many options, many consumers still feel that “a good show is hard to find.” — Digital Media Trends Survey, Deloitte

The lesson: Curate content effectively and use recommendation algorithms to help guide users toward relevant content. Focus on creating personalized experiences where users see content that aligns with their interests and viewing habits.

Netflix enhances user experience by personalizing content discovery through its recommendation engine. By analyzing user behavior like viewing history and ratings, Netflix curates tailored content rows such as “Because You Watched” and “Trending Now.” This personalized approach leads to increase of the content being watched on Netflix, significantly improving user satisfaction and engagement.

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5. Poor navigation reduces user satisfaction

Effective navigation is essential for a positive user experience. If users struggle to find content or feel disoriented on your platform, they’re likely to leave and not return. To prevent this, focus on designing a navigation system that is both intuitive and user-friendly.

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Key strategies:
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1. Simplify interactions: Integrate features like 'Continue Watching,' 'Save for Later,' or 'Like' to allow users to easily engage with and personalize their content experience. These features help users quickly find and manage content they are interested in.
2. Effective categorization: Organize content into clear, logical categories. This helps users quickly find what they’re looking for and reduces the cognitive load of searching through a vast library of content.
3. Search and filter: Implement a robust search function with filtering options. Allow users to refine their search by genre, release date, or other relevant criteria to find content quickly.

By focusing on these areas, you ensure that users can navigate your platform effortlessly, enhancing their overall experience and increasing their likelihood of returning.

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6. Misusing colors disrupt effective design

Netflix’s choice of red and black is deliberate and powerful. The deep black background creates a cinematic, immersive feel, making the content the star of the show.

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Netflix, HBO Max, and Paramount+ use black and gray backgrounds to create a cinematic and immersive experience, making the content stand out. This approach enhances the visual impact of their shows and movies. On the other hand, YouTube’s white background provides a neutral, versatile space that suits its diverse content, from professional videos to user-generated content. The choice of background color should align with the platform’s content and user experience goals, whether to create immersion or support versatility.
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Consider your audience:

Think about your target demographic when choosing colors. Younger audiences might appreciate vibrant, energetic colors, while an older or more general audience might prefer something more subdued and classic.

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7. Proper font selection improves user readability and experience

The font you choose for your platform isn’t just a stylistic decision—it’s a critical factor that can significantly impact readability, accessibility, and overall user experience. Selecting the right fonts ensures that your content is easy to read, aligns with your brand identity, and provides a cohesive look across all devices.

Fonts play a crucial role in readability and brand tone. Netflix, Hulu, Disney+ and YouTube use clean, sans-serif fonts that are easy to read across all devices. This ensures clarity, even in smaller text sizes.

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Key strategies:
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1. Prioritize readability: Choose clean, sans-serif fonts like Arial or Helvetica for most text, as they are easier to read on screens. Avoid overly decorative fonts that can be difficult to decipher, especially in smaller sizes.
2. Create a visual hierarchy: Use different font weights and sizes to establish a clear visual hierarchy.
3. Consistency across the platform: Stick to one or two font families to maintain a cohesive and professional look. Consistent font usage prevents the interface from looking cluttered and confusing.
4. Accessibility considerations: Ensure fonts are legible across all devices and screen sizes. Consider color contrast and font size adjustments to make content accessible to users with visual impairments.
5. Reflect brand identity: Your font choice should align with your brand’s tone and personality. For instance, a playful brand might choose a more casual font, while a corporate brand might opt for a more formal typeface.

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Wrapping up...

Building a successful video streaming application requires careful attention to detail, from optimizing the user journey to ensuring seamless performance. Avoiding these common pitfalls is crucial, but having the right tools can make all the difference. Our Video API is designed to help you build and deliver a top-tier video-centric application with ease, allowing you to focus on what matters most—your content and your users.

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Explore FastPix video API to turn (your) vision into reality.