The referendum wasn't democratic
Yes it was. Government sanctioned it and selected the question to be asked.
It wasn't giving an informed choice
Yes it was as Government spent 9 Million of Tax Payers money sending information leaflet to all households saying why UK should remain in the EU.
And then it was compounded by Theresa May invoking Article 50 before anyone worked out what leaving would mean, which meant the clock was ticking and everyone was panicking
Government issue. Not the fault of the Voters.
A decision to leave could mean all manner of things - to give a binary choice always meant there would be problems
Unlimited options for leave that would have been impossible to list on a single sheet ballot paper.
The PM of New Zealand was on Woman's Hour a while ago saying there should have been an initial referendum "Are you interested in leaving the EU?" and then if the majority said yes, they should have spent years working out the best solution. Then there should've been another referendum: "This is what would happen if we left. Do you want to leave now?" I agree with her
Cameron the PM at the time the referendum was called was obviously confident that the vote would be to remain by a landslide and hence did not make any preparations.