5 CommonWebsite Mistakes (& how to fix them)
Having a beautifully designed, user-friendly website is crucial for any business. But if your site is riddled with common website design mistakes, you could be turning visitors away before they even have a chance to engage with your brand. As a web designer, I see these blunders all too often, and they instantly make a business look unprofessional.
So, let’s go over five major website mistakes that might be hurting your brand - and how to fix them with custom website design that enhances your credibility and user experience.
1. Overwhelming Pop-Ups That Annoy Visitors
We’ve all been there - landing on a website, only to be hit with a barrage of pop-ups: Sign up for our newsletter! Grab this discount! Don’t leave yet! It’s overwhelming and frustrating, making users want to click away instead of exploring your content.
How to Fix It:
➝ Use strategic pop-ups that appear at the right time, such as exit-intent pop-ups or a small, non-intrusive slide-in box.
➝ Ensure they are easy to close with a visible “X” button.
➝ Limit the number of pop-ups so they enhance, rather than interrupt, the user experience.
2. Using Script Fonts for Important Content
Yes, script fonts are elegant and stylish, but they’re also difficult to read, especially on mobile screens. If your website relies on aesthetic website design, legibility should always be your top priority.
How to Fix It:
➝ Use script fonts sparingly, such as for decorative accents (headlines or quotes), not for body text or important calls to action.
➝ Stick to clean, readable typography for paragraphs, sans-serif and serif fonts work best for readability.
➝ Test your fonts on both desktop and mobile to ensure they remain clear and professional.
3. Wasting Prime Homepage Space on a Generic Welcome Message
The hero section (the top part of your homepage) is the most valuable real estate on your website. If all it says is “Welcome to Our Site,” it’s a wasted opportunity. Your visitors should immediately understand who you are, what you do, and how you can help them.
How to Fix It:
➝ Write a clear, compelling headline that communicates your business’s value proposition in one or two sentences.
➝ Include a strong call to action (CTA), like “Explore Our Services” or “Get Started Today.”
➝ Use high-quality visuals that reflect your brand’s identity and appeal to your target audience.
4. Inconsistent Branding That Hurts Trust
If your website looks like a mismatched collage of different colors, fonts, and styles, it creates confusion and reduces credibility. A well-branded website should feel cohesive, intentional, and polished.
How to Fix It:
➝ Stick to a consistent brand color palette that aligns with your overall aesthetic.
➝ Use the same fonts across all pages to maintain uniformity.
➝ Ensure your logo, icons, and imagery match your brand’s personality and target audience.
➝ Invest in custom website design that reflects your brand’s high standards and professionalism.
5. Long, Unstructured Walls of Text
Let’s be honest—nobody wants to read a 5,000-word essay on a single page with no breaks. Dense, unstructured text makes your website overwhelming and unengaging.
How to Fix It:
➝ Break up text into short paragraphs and use bullet points for key takeaways.
➝ Use subheadings (H2, H3) to organize content and make it easy to scan.
➝ Incorporate images, icons, or graphics to enhance readability and keep visitors engaged.
➝ Make sure your copy speaks directly to your ideal audience—concise, benefit-driven, and easy to digest.
Does Your Website Need a Professional Upgrade?
If you’re guilty of any of these website mistakes, don’t worry, you’re not alone! The good news is, with a few strategic changes, you can transform your website into a polished, professional, and high-converting platform that truly represents your brand.
Ready to elevate your online presence? I specialize in custom branding and website design that blends functionality with aesthetic website design, helping businesses stand out in a crowded market.