A well-designed website is essential for any business or personal brand, but many sites suffer from common design mistakes that can drive visitors away. Whether you’re building your site from scratch or improving an existing one, avoiding these pitfalls can make a big difference in user experience and conversions. Here are five common website design mistakes and how to fix them.
1. Difficult-to-Read Text
The Problem:
If visitors struggle to read your content due to poor font choices, low contrast, or overcrowded text, they won’t stick around. Legibility is crucial for keeping users engaged and ensuring they absorb your message.
The Fix:
• Choose easy-to-read fonts (sans-serif fonts like Open Sans, Lato, or Roboto work well).
• Maintain a strong contrast between text and background (avoid light gray text on a white background).
• Keep paragraphs short and use plenty of whitespace for readability.
• Use a font size of at least 16px for body text to ensure readability across all devices.
2. Poor Mobile Experience
The Problem:
More than half of all web traffic comes from mobile devices. If your site isn’t mobile-friendly, you’re alienating a huge portion of your audience. Elements that don’t scale properly, text that’s too small, or buttons that are hard to tap can make for a frustrating experience.
The Fix:
• Use a responsive design that automatically adjusts to different screen sizes.
• Test your site on various devices and screen resolutions.
• Use Google’s Mobile-Friendly Test tool to check usability.
• Ensure buttons and links are large enough for easy tapping.
3. Cluttered and Confusing Layout
The Problem:
Too much text, too many images, or an overwhelming amount of elements can make your site hard to navigate. Visitors don’t want to hunt for important information—they should be able to find it quickly and easily.
The Fix:
• Keep your layout clean and simple, focusing on the most important elements.
• Use whitespace strategically to improve readability and focus.
• Follow a clear visual hierarchy with headings, subheadings, and call-to-action buttons.
• Make sure your navigation menu is intuitive and easy to use.
4. Weak Call-to-Actions (CTAs)
The Problem:
Your website might look great, but if visitors don’t know what to do next, they’ll leave without taking action. A weak or unclear CTA can hurt conversions.
The Fix:
• Use strong, action-oriented language like “Get Started,” “Book a Consultation,” or “Download Now.”
• Make CTAs visually stand out with contrasting colors.
• Place CTAs strategically—above the fold, at the end of blog posts, and within key sections of your site.
• Keep forms short and simple to reduce friction.
5. Ignoring SEO Best Practices
The Problem:
A beautiful website won’t help your business if no one can find it. Many websites are poorly optimized for search engines, making them invisible to potential visitors.
The Fix:
• Use relevant keywords in page titles, meta descriptions, and content.
• Optimize images with descriptive alt text.
• Ensure your website loads quickly.
• Use clean, readable URLs (e.g., “yourwebsite.com/services” instead of “yourwebsite.com/page?id=123”).
• Regularly publish high-quality, informative content.
Final Thoughts
A great website isn’t just about aesthetics—it’s about functionality, usability, and performance. By fixing these common website design mistakes, you can create a better experience for visitors, improve your search rankings, and increase conversions.
Need help optimizing your website? At Dee Web Design, we specialize in building fast, user-friendly websites that get results. Contact us today to get started!