Common Website Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Building a website is exciting, but it’s easy to overlook certain design and functionality aspects that can impact your site’s effectiveness.

Here are some common website mistakes and how to fix them:

1. Cluttered Design

A cluttered design can overwhelm visitors, making it challenging for them to focus on your content. Too many colours, fonts, and images can create visual chaos.

Fix it: Aim for simplicity by using a clean layout with plenty of white space to enhance readability. Limit your colour palette to 2-3 complementary colours and choose one or two fonts for consistency. Organize content into clear sections with headings and subheadings to guide visitors through your site effortlessly.

2. No Clear Call to Action (CTA)

If your visitors don’t know what action to take next, they’re likely to leave your site without engaging further. Your site can look beautiful, but not be user friendly. This is a huge miss for a lot of DIY websites.

Fix it: Make your CTAs prominent and persuasive. Use action-oriented language, such as “Get Started,” “Sign Up Today,” or “Shop Now.” Place CTAs strategically throughout your site—at the top of your homepage, in the middle of your content, and at the bottom of pages to encourage conversions. Ensure they stand out visually with contrasting colors and buttons that draw attention.

Lastly, make sure to always refer back to your main goal for your website. All roads lead to Rome (or in this case your goal).

3. Slow Loading Speed

A slow website can frustrate visitors, leading to higher bounce rates and lower search engine rankings. Research shows that a delay of just a few seconds can result in significant traffic loss.

Fix it: Optimize your website by compressing large images and files, reducing the number of plugins, and leveraging browser caching. Use tools like Google PageSpeed Insights to identify and address any performance issues. Additionally, invest in a reliable hosting service that offers good speed and uptime, like Squarespace.

4. Not Mobile-Friendly

With most of your clients accessing your websites with their cell phone, having a mobile-friendly site is crucial. A site that doesn’t display correctly on smartphones or tablets can lead to a poor user experience.

Fix it: Choose a responsive design template that adjusts seamlessly to different screen sizes. Always preview your site on multiple devices to ensure it looks great and functions well. Test all features, such as forms and navigation menus, to make sure they are easily accessible on mobile. In Squarespace, your template with automatically update your mobile design as we make changes to your site. It can still get a little funky at times, that’s why I include a mobile design check in all my builds.

5. Poor Navigation

If visitors can’t find what they’re looking for quickly, they may leave in frustration. Complicated navigation can make it difficult for users to explore your site. This is one of the things that often stands out to me first on websites that are not user friendly.

Fix it: Simplify your navigation menu by limiting the number of items and using clear, descriptive labels. Organize pages logically, grouping related content together. Include a search bar to help visitors find specific information quickly. Breadcrumbs can also improve navigation by showing users their location within your site. Don’t worry, when I built your site I organize this all for you!

6. Ignoring SEO

Without proper search engine optimization (SEO), your website may struggle to attract traffic, making it hard for potential clients to discover your business. SEO can be complicated, but it doesn’t have to be.

Fix it: Start small and simple. Thankfully, Squarespace makes this easy with their SEO tools. It allows us to optimize your site and web pages and updates automatically. It helps us focus on the top SEO concerns, and not get caught up with all the expert level options.

Next Level SEO: Conduct keyword research to identify terms your target audience is searching for. Incorporate these keywords naturally into your content, headings, and across your website. Use alt text for images to describe their content, which helps search engines understand your site better. Regularly updating your content and blogging can also improve your SEO efforts.

7. Not Pictures of You

Stock images are great for websites. However, your customer will most likely want to see you! This is especially true for service based businesses. If you sell products, you will need clear photos that show case exactly what you are selling (with reviews too).

Fix it: Don’t worry, you don’t need hundreds of professional photos for your website. You can get started adding photos of yourself quite easily and boost the professionalism of your website. Want to learn more about photos for your website? Read my post here.

By being aware of these common website mistakes and implementing the suggested solutions, you can create a smoother, more engaging experience for your visitors, ultimately enhancing your online presence and driving business growth!

I’m dedicated to helping you create a website that not only looks fantastic but also functions flawlessly.

With my web design services, I’ll ensure your site avoids common pitfalls like cluttered layouts, poor navigation, and slow loading times. By implementing a clean, user-friendly design and optimizing your site for mobile devices, I’ll create an engaging experience that keeps your visitors coming back.

Together, we’ll establish clear calls to action and strategically integrate SEO best practices to boost your site’s visibility and drive traffic. Whether you're starting from scratch or need a refresh, I'm here to guide you through the process, ensuring your website truly reflects your brand while effectively engaging your audience.

Let’s work together to turn your website into a powerful tool for your business!