Cognitive overhead in design refers to the mental effort users must exert to navigate and understand a website, which can lead to frustration and disengagement if excessive. It is crucial to minimize cognitive load by reducing unnecessary interactions, avoiding overstimulation with too many elements, limiting options, and organizing content effectively. A well-designed user interface should be intuitive and self-explanatory to prevent users from becoming overwhelmed. Techniques to achieve this include simplifying navigation, focusing on key actions for each page, and grouping options for clarity. Ultimately, the goal is to create a seamless user experience that allows visitors to achieve their objectives with minimal mental strain, ensuring they remain engaged with the website.