Web Design Mistakes to Avoid (And How to Fix Them)
Mistakes Happen -
I LOVE websites.
I love my website. I love yours. I love ordering things online and having them show up at my house, booking appointments online and side-Googling things I don’t know when I’m on Zoom calls. As a 90s kid, I’m uniquely positioned to remember the agony of being kicked off the web when my mom picked up the phone across the house. The all-too-familiar jingle of AOL loading up.
Nostalgia aside, what I love most about websites? You can grow and evolve and change them as much as you want!
Today, let’s talk about web design—specifically, the mistakes that could be holding your brand back. If your website isn’t performing as well as you’d like, it might be because of one (or more) of these common design pitfalls. But don’t worry, I’m here to help you avoid them, to keep your brand looking 🔥🔥🔥
Here are a few of the most common mistakes I see—and how to fix them:
1. Cluttered, Overwhelming Layouts
When a website feels crowded with too much information, your audience won’t know where to look first. This can create confusion and frustration.
How to fix it —
Embrace simplicity. Use white space to give elements room to breathe. Stick to one focal point per page, and keep your navigation clear and easy to follow. Remember, Keep it Simple, Silly (KISS 💋)
2. Inconsistent Branding
Inconsistent fonts, colors, and imagery can hurt your brand’s credibility. Your website should be a reflection of your brand’s personality, and that means keeping everything aligned with your visual identity.
How to fix it —
Make sure your website’s color palette, fonts, and imagery match your logo and other branding materials. Create a brand style guide so your web design stays consistent across all platforms. Make your buttons your brightest brand color so those CTAs really pop off!
3. Slow Load Times
If your website takes too long to load, visitors will bounce. This is not just annoying; it can also hurt your search engine ranking.
How to fix it —
Optimize images and reduce large file sizes without sacrificing quality. TinyPNG has long been a quick and easy resource for resizing images. Also, consider a website hosting service that can support your needs and keep things running smoothly.
4. Poor Mobile Experience
It’s likely more people are visiting your website via their iPhones than their desktops. If your website isn’t optimized for mobile, you’re missing out on a huge chunk of your audience.
How to fix it —
Make sure your website is mobile-responsive. That means it should automatically adjust to look great on any screen size. Test your site on multiple devices to ensure everything looks good and (most importantly) is legible!
5. Confusing or Hidden Calls to Action (CTAs)
Your website should guide visitors toward the next step in their journey. If your CTAs are hidden or unclear, you could be missing opportunities.
How to fix it —
Make your CTAs bold and easy to find. Use action words like “Get Started,” “Contact Us,” or “Learn More.” Keep them visible and placed strategically throughout your site.
6. Not Prioritizing User Experience (UX)
If your website’s UX (user experience) isn’t intuitive, users will get frustrated and leave. The goal is to make it as easy as possible for someone to navigate your site and find what they need. Ain’t nobody got time to get lost in your site!
How to fix it —
Focus on clean, straightforward navigation. Your menus should be easy to access, and visitors should be able to find what they’re looking for within just a few clicks. Make sure your content is clear and well-organized.
7. Ignoring SEO
If your website isn’t optimized for search engines, you’re missing out on free traffic. SEO isn’t just for bloggers—it’s critical for every website.
How to fix it —
Incorporate SEO best practices—use relevant keywords, write compelling meta descriptions, and make sure your website loads quickly. These simple tweaks can have a big impact on your visitors.
Level Up Your Website
If you’re noticing some of these mistakes on your site, don’t worry—you’re not alone. These are easy fixes that can drastically improve your site’s performance, user experience, and brand.
If you’ve got any questions, comments, or would like another set of eyes on your site to suggest some quick fixes - Hit reply! I’d love to help make your offer shine.
Talk soon,
Katie Mont
