6 Common Website Mistakes
When building and designing a website there are lots of things to consider and remember. And if you’re doing it yourself it is easy to miss or overlook something. Small details matter and with just a few tweaks you can often make a big difference.
Here are the most common website mistakes I see:
Mistake #1 Unclear Purpose
Website visitors need to know the purpose of the website within the first 10 seconds or they will leave. Nobody wants to spend a bunch of time figuring out what you offer or to whom. In fact, they won’t and will instead leave (usually to a competitor!) and you lose out. Visitors also won't read every word so make sure important statements and words are easily seen and "skim-able". The purpose of your website and business should be communicated immediately and clearly. This is typically achieved through a “tagline”. Make sure the tagline is within the first two sections of the home page.
Mistake #2 Too Much Going On
Ever land on a website and just feel overwhelmed? Maybe there were too many words or images and you didn’t know where to look first or what to click. Pages that are overloaded with info and images leave visitors feeling overwhelmed and lost. Visitors also won’t read every word and too much content can result in slower loading pages which can also be frustrating. In addition to the on-page content, consider your header’s navigation and keep the number of main links to 5 or less. Keep it SIMPLE!
Mistake #3 Low Quality Photos
Websites are incredibly visual and the photos you use need to be on-point with your brand & high-quality. A professional looking website builds trust and allows your audience to connect with you. There is no greater turn-off than blurry or unrelated images. Professional brand photos of yourself are always best, but you can also take high quality photos with smart phone camera, good lighting, and a bit of help from a friend if professional photos aren’t in the budget. The investment and time is worth it. And for other photo needs there are lots of options for free or affordable paid stock photos.
Mistake #4 Lack of Consistent Branding
Branding is the visual part of your business and is really important for your website. It’s best to work with a professional to bring your business brand to life, but these are my top tips:
Use an appropriate balance of branding colors
1 light shade, 1 dark shade, 2-3 in between complementing shades
Use complementing font styles
Follow text hierarchy and use appropriate sizing for headings and paragraphs
Max of 2-3 different fonts
Be careful with script or handwriting fonts as these can be difficult to read
Ensure that your copy is written in a consistent voice
Copy should also embody your brand (ie a professional brand will sound different than a more laidback or casual brand)
If budget is a concern, invest in high quality brand photography or paid stock images over a logo and check out the guide below:
You can create a beautiful brand using Canva that you can’t wait to show off.
This guide and workbook includes:
25+ fillable pages of no-fluff guidance and direction
How to uncover your brand mission, vision, and difference
Guidance in defining your brand values and brand personality
Direction exploring visuals and how to create a unique and aligned Pinterest mood board
Overview of color psychology and typography
Guidance on creating an effective color palette
Example font pairings and directions how to select your own fonts
Directions for creating a custom logo in Canva that you have full rights to
Example brands designed in Canva to spark inspiration
Brand Board template for you to use and customize for your own brand
Mistake #5 Discreet or Missing CTAs
What’s a CTA? It’s a Call to Action and it’s a button or link that prompts a visitor to take action on a web page. CTAs should be large buttons in bright colors with bold and clear statements. This little buttons can pack a punch and you want to make sure they stand out. Include at least one on each page.
When used appropriately there should be no question where your website visitor is supposed to go or click next because a strategically placed CTA will guide your visitor naturally.
Mistake #6 Lacking Mobile Responsive Design
Roughly 50% of all websites are viewed using smaller screen devices (smart phone or tablet). Websites that don't look good or function well on smaller screens could lose visitors to competitors because they will leave the site. Mobile responsive design is important for client experience and business, but also SEO (Search Engine Optimization) because search engines prefer websites that have responsive design. While designing your pages make sure to check that each page looks good on multiple devices and screen sizes.