the web3 user experience has been lost in translation

If you have been around crypto long enough you will understand me when I say that Web3 has a serious user experience(UX) problem. Complex wallet setups, confusing wallet addresses, gas fees and transaction complexity. The list goes on and although I am pointing out some of these issues, it doesn’t mean that the situation isn’t improving. In fact, it is. But we still have a long way to go if we’re serious about the adoption like we all dream of.

But right now, Web3 still feels like it’s built for the technically inclined or those who are at least comfortable with taking on a certain amount of risk. And this seriously needs to change. I mean, lets go over just a few:

One of the major problems to Web3 adoption is the inconsistency in user experience across platforms. Each dApp, wallet, and exchange has its own design language, navigation style, and interaction model, which can be overwhelming and confusing for experienced users. Let alone new users. And unlike traditional web and mobile apps, which follow established UX conventions and patters that users have grown comfortable with, Web3’s lack of UX standards adds an extra layer of struggle for new users.

How can we improve?: Developing UX standards or guidelines specifically for Web3, similar to what we see with Apple’s Human Interface Guidelines or Google’s Material Design, could bring a MUCH needed uniformity to the space. An approach to design and user interactions like this would not only make it easier for users to actually use new dApps but would also improve trust to the masses by providing a sense of…how do you say…familiarity… to the space.

This one hits a little closer to home since I am bilingual because Web3 is shouted to the moon that it’s the next global iteration of the internet, yet most of its current infrastructure and resources are limited to English. Yeah thats it, just English. This language barrier is a huge roadblock to adoption for non-English speakers, making Web3 feel exclusive rather than inclusive. I mean imagine trying to understand an already complex concept like smart contracts or decentralized finance (DeFi) in a language you don’t fully understand. It’s a no go for many potential users.

How can we improve?: Offering multilingual support across wallets, dApps, and platforms would open the doors for global adoption. Localized content and community support in multiple languages could help bridge this gap. Some projects are beginning to introduce language options, but a true multilingual Web3 will require an industry wide commitment to making this technology accessible to everyone.

One of the appeals of Web3 is being able to own a diverse set of digital assets, tokens, NFTs, staked assets, whatever you want to call it and more. But keeping track of these assets across multiple wallets, exchanges, and blockchains is honestly pretty annoying. Unlike traditional investment platforms that provide a consolidated view of all your assets in one place, Web3s fragmented ecosystem forces users to jump between platforms, making it difficult to monitor your overall portfolio performance.

How can we improve?: Integrate portfolio tracking tools that consolidate assets across wallets and networks, displaying values in real time. This would be a game changer. Some platforms are starting to offer multi-wallet views, but a streamlined, reliable solution that can sync across chains would make managing assets as seamless as logging into a bank account.

So here lies the core issue: Web3 feels exciting but also daunting, especially for anyone whose not tech savvy or doesn’t have a lot of time to commit to this. Think about it, a seamless user experience has been one of the main reasons traditional web applications gained such massive traction. People want technology that works for them, not technology that asks them to adapt their lives around it. Right now, Web3 is still asking a lot from its users, requiring them to navigate new territory. For the average person, that’s a pretty big ask.

The truth is, Web3 will only gain mainstream acceptance if it begins to solve these usability problems. User experience improvements are not just “nice to haves”, they’re extremely important if we want all of this to reach its full potential. People want to feel confident that they understand what’s happening when they use an application, especially when their money and personal data are involved. Today, that trust is missing in Web3. The interfaces aren’t intuitive, the onboarding process is complicated, and the steps to make even a simple transaction often feel annoying to say the least.

So yeah, there is so much to love about Web3 and what it stands for. But there is a lot to hate too and for this to really change the world, the focus needs to change. Imagine a Web3 that’s so simple anyone can use it. Where navigating wallets and transactions feels as natural as browsing a website or ordering food online. When we reach that point, then we can celebrate.