Design Strategy

Common Website Mistakes to Avoid

December 12, 2024
8 min read
Jones Digital Design Agency
Share:

A website is often the first point of contact between a business and its potential customers. Yet, many websites fail to make a strong impression due to common mistakes that drive visitors away or reduce engagement. Fixing these errors can significantly improve user experience, boost traffic, and increase conversions. This post explores the most frequent website blunders and offers practical solutions to help you build a more effective online presence.

Table of Contents

Composite trend artwork sketch image photo collage of cyberspace hand gesture model posing young lady attractive stand hold smartphone.

Poor Navigation and Structure

One of the biggest frustrations for website visitors is unclear or complicated navigation. When users cannot find what they need quickly, they leave. Common issues include:

  • Overloaded menus with too many options
  • Inconsistent navigation placement across pages
  • Missing or unclear labels on menu items

How to fix it:

  • Simplify your menu to include only essential categories.
  • Use clear, descriptive labels that match what users expect.
  • Keep navigation consistent on every page, ideally at the top or side.
  • Add a search bar for quick access to specific content.

For example, a clothing store website might organise menus by gender, type of clothing, and sale items, rather than listing every product category separately.

Slow Loading Times

Visitors expect websites to load quickly. If your site takes more than a few seconds, many users will leave before seeing your content. Slow loading can result from:

  • Large image files
  • Excessive use of plugins or scripts
  • Poor web hosting

How to fix it:

  • Compress images without losing quality using tools like TinyPNG or ImageOptim.
  • Limit the number of plugins and remove unnecessary scripts.
  • Choose a reliable hosting provider with good server speed.
  • Use caching and content delivery networks (CDNs) to speed up delivery.

Google research shows that a delay of just one second in page load time can reduce conversions by up to 7%.

Lack of Mobile Optimisation

More than half of all web traffic comes from mobile devices. Websites that are not mobile-friendly frustrate users and rank lower in search engines. Common mobile issues include:

  • Text too small to read
  • Buttons too close together or too small
  • Layouts that require horizontal scrolling

How to fix it:

  • Use responsive design so your site adapts to different screen sizes.
  • Increase font sizes and button spacing for easier tapping.
  • Test your website on multiple devices and browsers.
  • Use tools like Google's Mobile-Friendly Test to identify problems.

A responsive website improves user experience and helps your site perform better in search results.

Poor Content Quality and Readability

Content is the heart of your website. If it is hard to read, irrelevant, or full of errors, visitors will lose trust and leave. Common content mistakes include:

  • Walls of text without breaks
  • Jargon or complicated language
  • Lack of clear calls to action

How to fix it:

  • Break text into short paragraphs and use headings and bullet points.
  • Write in simple, conversational language that your audience understands.
  • Include clear calls to action, such as "Buy Now," "Contact Us," or "Learn More."
  • Proofread carefully to avoid spelling and grammar mistakes.

For example, a blog post about gardening tips should use everyday language and include step-by-step instructions rather than technical terms.

Missing or Weak Calls to Action

A website should guide visitors toward desired actions, whether signing up for a newsletter, making a purchase, or contacting support. Without strong calls to action (CTAs), users may not know what to do next.

How to fix it:

  • Place CTAs prominently on pages, especially near important content.
  • Use action-oriented language like "Get Started," "Download Free Guide," or "Schedule a Demo."
  • Make buttons stand out with contrasting colours.
  • Test different CTA placements and wording to see what works best.

Effective CTAs increase engagement and help convert visitors into customers.

Ignoring SEO Basics

Search engine optimisation (SEO) helps your website appear in search results and attract organic traffic. Many websites miss simple SEO opportunities, such as:

  • Missing or duplicate meta titles and descriptions
  • Poor use of keywords
  • Broken links and missing alt text on images

How to fix it:

  • Write unique meta titles and descriptions for each page.
  • Research relevant keywords and include them naturally in your content.
  • Regularly check for and fix broken links.
  • Add descriptive alt text to all images to improve accessibility and SEO.

Using tools like Google Search Console and Yoast SEO can help you monitor and improve your site's SEO.

Overuse of Pop-ups and Ads

Whilst pop-ups can be useful for capturing leads or promoting offers, too many or poorly timed pop-ups annoy visitors and increase bounce rates. Similarly, excessive ads distract users from your content.

How to fix it:

  • Limit pop-ups to one per visit and avoid interrupting the user immediately.
  • Use exit-intent pop-ups that appear when a visitor is about to leave.
  • Keep ads minimal and relevant to your audience.
  • Ensure pop-ups and ads do not cover important content or navigation.

A clean, distraction-free website keeps visitors focused and improves their experience.

Lack of Contact Information and Trust Signals

Visitors want to know they can reach you easily and trust your website. Missing contact details or trust signals can reduce credibility and conversions.

How to fix it:

  • Display contact information clearly on every page, preferably in the header or footer.
  • Include multiple contact options such as phone, email, and contact forms.
  • Add trust badges, customer testimonials, or reviews.
  • Show privacy policies and terms of service to reassure visitors.

For example, an online store should have a visible phone number and customer reviews to build confidence.

Not Updating Content Regularly

Websites that remain static for long periods lose relevance and search engine rankings. Fresh content attracts visitors and signals that your site is active.

How to fix it:

  • Publish blog posts, news, or updates regularly.
  • Review and update existing content to keep it accurate.
  • Remove outdated information or broken links.
  • Use a content calendar to plan updates.

Active websites engage visitors and perform better in search results.

Summary

Avoiding common website mistakes is essential for creating a positive user experience and achieving your business goals. By focusing on clear navigation, fast loading times, mobile optimisation, quality content, effective calls to action, proper SEO, limited pop-ups, trust signals, and regular updates, you can build a website that attracts visitors, keeps them engaged, and drives conversions. Investing time and effort into fixing these errors will pay off in better traffic, higher search rankings, and increased customer satisfaction.

Share this article:

Ready to Fix Your Website?

Let Jones Digital Design Agency help you create a website that works. From design to development, we'll ensure your site delivers results.

Get Your Free Consultation View Our Work