Top website mistakes to avoid today

What are some common design errors to avoid?

When building a website, what design mistakes should you watch out for? The look and feel of your site affect how visitors perceive your brand. Avoid these frequent errors to keep your website professional and user-friendly.

Forgetting your favicon

This tiny icon appears in browser tabs and bookmarks. Without it, your site can be hard to recognise when multiple tabs are open. For example, major sites like BBC and Amazon always use recognisable favicons to build brand awareness.

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Unclear call-to-action (CTA) buttons

Are your CTAs obvious? If not, visitors may miss what you want them to do. Use distinct colours, button shapes and clear copy like “Get your free quote” rather than vague phrases. Target’s website uses bold CTAs that stand out clearly.

Too much going on‍

Does your page feel cluttered? Too many elements confuse visitors and reduce focus. Keep only essential information visible and use white space for clarity. Apple’s homepage keeps content minimal and purposeful.

Buttons that don’t work

Broken or inactive buttons frustrate users. Test all links regularly. Imagine trying to buy a product, but the “Add to cart” button fails. It’s a lost sale.

‍No images in blogs

Do your blog posts have pictures? Readers scan pages for titles and images to decide what to read. Adding relevant images keeps readers engaged. A marketing blog, for example, might use infographics or photos of campaigns.

Mobile site issues

Does your website look odd or break on phones? Mobile browsing dominates today. Google favours mobile-friendly sites in search rankings. Test your design on various devices to ensure smooth navigation and attractive layout.

Using images above 300kb

Are your images large files? Heavy images slow down loading times, causing visitors to leave. Compress your images to under 300kb without losing quality. Food bloggers often use optimised photos to maintain fast loading and sharp visuals.

Generic stock photos

Do you rely on common stock images? They often look fake or repetitive, which harms trust. Instead, show real employees, team photos or authentic product shots to connect with your audience.

Incoherent branding

Are fonts, colours and styles inconsistent? Staying consistent boosts brand recognition and professionalism. Companies like Coca-Cola maintain strict branding rules to unify their websites and marketing.

No or excessive spacing

Is there too little space, making your content cramped? Or too much space forcing endless scrolling? Aim for balanced white space that aids readability.

Funky fonts

Are your fonts quirky but hard to read? Clear, simple fonts like Arial or Helvetica improve user experience. Save decorative fonts for headings only.

What are some common copywriting pitfalls?

What copywriting errors lose visitors? Your words must convince and guide readers to take action.

Not including social proof

Do you showcase testimonials or client logos? Showing happy customers builds trust. For example, agencies list client reviews and case studies.

Talking only about yourself

Are your messages all about your company? Instead, focus on the visitor’s benefits. Use phrases like “How you’ll save time” to engage readers.

No internal links from blogs to services

Does your blog connect to your main offerings? Adding links helps readers find related services and boosts SEO. For guidance, see our SEO tips for small businesses.

Other elements you must not overlook

Aside from design and copy, other elements make or break a website.

No contact info:

Can visitors reach you easily? Display phone numbers, emails and addresses prominently. Adding a live chat feature also improves accessibility.

A dull 404 page

Is your error page plain? A creative or helpful 404 page reduces bounce rates. Squarespace uses funny 404 pages with links back to the homepage.

Missing social media buttons

Do you include icons linking to your social profiles? Social buttons encourage visitors to connect on platforms like Instagram or LinkedIn. Check out our social media marketing guide for strategies.

Non-secure website (HTTP instead of HTTPS)

Does your website have a secure SSL certificate? Without HTTPS, browsers warn users, harming credibility. Secure your site to protect visitor data and improve your Google ranking.Very long URLs: Are your web addresses long and complicated? Use short, clear URLs that people can remember and share easily.

SEO titles and descriptions mismatch or duplication

Do your page titles and descriptions reflect the content? Avoid duplication and make sure they are relevant for better search engine results.

Missing alt tags for images

Are your images described with alt tags? These improve accessibility for screen readers and help search engines index your images.

By fixing these common mistakes, your website will not only look better but also work more effectively.