25 Biggest Website Design Mistakes That You Should Avoid
Avoiding common web design mistakes can contribute to a more
user-friendly,
visually appealing, and effective website. Also, here you will know the
possible solutions to over come common website design mistakes easily.
In this digital age, the importance of a good website for a business cannot
be overemphasized. To think of a business running without a website is like
operating in the dark ages.
Having a website is a major requirement for any thriving business to establish its
online presence. How can you reach your potential customers if you do not have a
digital platform to showcase your products and services?
A business will miss out on many opportunities in the absence of a website. You
cannot expand your customer base, neither you can compete with your rival.
Website is such a powerful tool that can help a business to succeed and thrive.
To understand the importance of a website for businesses, let us look at it from a
number perspective.
Here are some eye-opening stats.
As per Internet Live Stats
, as of April 2021, the number of websites available on the Internet
surpassed 1.8 billion, marking the continued proliferation of online content
and digital activity.
The global website traffic of approximately 22 billion visits per month,
underscores the magnitude of web-based interactions in the contemporary
world.
The popularity of WordPress as a content management system (CMS) for
websites, which commands a market share of over 40%, highlights the
significance of effective website design and management in the digital
realm.
Mobile devices contribute to approximately 60% of global website traffic.
Data from Google Analytics throws an interesting light on user behavior. The
average time spent on a website in 2022 was approximately 2 minutes and 34
seconds, emphasizing the importance of designing websites that are
user-friendly and engaging.
It is forecasted that there will be around 3 billion digital buyers in 2025.
According to eMarketer, currently, there are around 2.64 billion digital
buyers.
What are the important cogs of web design? Why is web design crucial in a digital
world?
Web design is the dynamic process of creating the functionality, appearance, and
layout of a website, and it consists of several vital components. These components
include the website's layout, color scheme, typography, images/ digital
graphics and multimedia, and navigation.
Properly designing these components can have a significant impact on a business's
online presence and brand identity. A well-designed website can provide a better
user experience, increase engagement, and ultimately lead to higher conversions.
This translates into increased sales and revenue.
Moreover, having a responsive design that works on all types of devices, including
mobile devices, is important in today's digital world. Web design is critical for
businesses to effectively communicate their message to their target audience and
establish a strong online presence.
What kind of benefits do businesses enjoy from good web design?
Helps to build Brand Credibility - A professional-looking website can
increase a business's credibility and make it creditable in the eyes of
potential customers. We often come across a website that holds its brand
together and gives a strong brand identity. By creating a positive
impression of the brand, businesses can build long-term loyalty and retain
customers.
Enhanced User Experience - Well-designed websites provide an
intuitive and user- friendly experience that allows visitors to easily
navigate and find the information they need. By improving the user
experience, businesses can keep visitors engaged on their site, which can
lead to increased interaction and more potential customers.
Improved Search Engine Rankings - Good web design can improve a
website's visibility and SERP rankings by making it easier for search
engines to crawl and index the site. By optimizing the website for search
engines, businesses can drive more organic traffic to their site and gain a
competitive edge in their industry.
Better Mobile and Device Compatibility - As more people access the
internet through their mobile devices, having a website that is optimized
for mobile compatibility is crucial. A well-designed website ensures that
visitors have a seamless experience regardless of the device they use to
access the site.
Increased Conversions - All the benefits mentioned above can provide
several benefits for businesses, ultimately leading to increased
conversions. Brand credibility, SEO rankings, and device compatibility act
as a simulator for better conversions.
By making it easy for visitors to interact with the site and take action, businesses
can drive more leads, sales, and revenue, resulting in a positive impact on their
bottom line.
Let us now understand the common website design mistakes committed by website design
companies and web designers.
A renowned website
design agency - Webomindapps recommends the integration of these practices
when it comes to designing the website. Not only that, keeping an eye on the latest
website design trends helps the firm to stay relevant.
25 Common Web Design Mistakes to Avoid
1. Poor Navigation : A poorly designed navigation system on a website can
impede its
performance in various ways. It can create a challenging experience for users to
locate the required information, leading to frustration and causing them to leave
the site.
It also affects the overall user experience, resulting in a lower probability of
visitors
returning to the site. It can also negatively impact search engine rankings, as
search
engines favor websites that offer a smooth user experience with easy navigation.
2. Slow Page Load Time: Slow page load time can create significant obstacles
for a
website. It can cause visitors to lose their patience and leave the site, resulting
in
high bounce rates.
Besides, it can impact search engine rankings as search engines prefer fast-loading
sites. Slow-loading pages can also lead to a poor user experience, decreasing the
chances of visitors returning to the site.
You must have experienced a slow page load time while browsing the website. It is a
big turn-off.
3. Inconsistent Branding: Inconsistent branding can lead to a lack of trust in
the
brand and create confusion among visitors. It can also weaken brand recognition
and harm the overall image of the brand.
Furthermore, it can make the website appear unprofessional and poorly designed,
resulting in a negative user experience and potentially causing visitors to abandon
the site.
4. Poor Mobile Optimization: A website that is not optimized for mobile
devices can
cause several hindrances to its performance. Mobile users may face a poor user
experience, leading to high bounce rates and low engagement.
It is an open secret that search engines give preference to mobile-friendly sites,
so
poor mobile optimization can adversely impact search engine rankings.
Moreover, it may cause slow page load times and make it challenging for mobile
users to navigate the site, resulting in a potential loss of sales.
5. Cluttered Layout: A cluttered website layout can confuse and distract
visitors. This
leads to a high bounce rate.
The solution to a cluttered layout is to create a clean and organized design that
prioritizes user experience and makes it easy for visitors to find the information
they need. This can be achieved through simplifying the design, prioritizing the
content, and using consistent design.
6. Inadequate Accessibility: Inadequate accessibility can prevent users with
disabilities from accessing and using a website, which can hinder their ability to
complete tasks, gather information, and engage with online content.
Screen reader incompatibility, lack of alt text, poor color contrast, and non-
descriptive links are common issues affecting accessibility.
7. Lack of Contact Information: The lack of contact information on a website
can
hinder communication and decrease trust and credibility. Users may abandon the
website and miss business opportunities. Displaying clear contact information is
crucial.
8. Poor Content: Poor content can hinder a website's success by failing to
engage
users, reducing credibility, and decreasing search engine rankings.
High-quality, informative content can attract and satisfy users while establishing
the
website as a trusted source of information. Ensuring content meets users' needs
is
essential for success.
9. Autoplaying Media : Autoplaying media can cause frustration for users by
interrupting their experience and privacy, using up bandwidth, and disrupting their
sound environment. To prevent this, it is advisable to avoid auto-playing media
altogether or provide users with the option to control it.
10. Excessive Pop-Ups: When a website has an excessive number of pop-ups, it
can
impact the user experience.
Pop-ups can be intrusive and upsetting for users. It makes it difficult for them to
navigate the site or access the content they want. This can result in users leaving
the
site and potentially damaging the site's reputation. We all experience pop-ups
and it
is not at all pleasing.
11. Broken Links: Broken links tend to affect a website's overall
performance and user
experience. Users may find error messages when clicking on broken links, leading to
frustration and a possible exit from the site.
Search engines may view broken links as a sign of low-quality content, impacting the
ranking of the site. Additionally, broken links can disrupt the site's internal
linking
structure, making it difficult for users to navigate. Website owners should
regularly
check for and fix any broken links.
12. Inconsistent Font Usage: Inconsistent Font usage can affect the visual
appeal and
attractiveness of the website.
13. Lack of White Space: The absence of white space can make a website feel
cluttered
and difficult to navigate.
14. Substandard Image Quality: Poor image quality can harm the overall visual
appeal
and aesthetics of a website. It can detract the user.
Even inconsistent image sizes and poor color choices can affect the visual appeal
and the user experience.
15. Lack of Social Proof: A website lacking social proof, such as customer
reviews,
testimonials, or social media engagement, may struggle to establish trust with
users.
We as users always look for evidence of positive experiences from others, and we
start to become skeptical of the website and its offerings if it is not supported by
social proof. Moreover, failing to solicit and implement user feedback can also harm
user experience and hinder business growth.
16. Lack of Clear CTAs: Call to Action (CTAs) is an important part of a
website.
Confusing and unclear calls-to-action can lead to a lower conversion rate.
17. Inadequate Search Functionality: Failing to provide adequate search
functionality
can harm user experience and decrease engagement.
18. Poorly Designed Forms: Poorly designed forms can lead to missed business
opportunities. If you find it difficult to complete a form, you may well abandon the
process and move on to a competitor's site.
It can also result in inaccurate or incomplete information being submitted, which
can cause additional work for the website owner or result in lost sales.
19. Inadequate Security Measures: The absence of adequate website
security
measures can result in significant harm to a website. Cyber threats, including
hacking attempts and data breaches, can exploit vulnerabilities and compromise
sensitive information.
20. Overuse of Stock Images: Overuse of stock images can harm the overall
visual
appeal of a website and detract from the user experience.
21. Poorly Designed 404 Pages: A poorly designed 404 page can harm user
experience
and lead to decreased engagement.
22. Failing to Update Content: Failing to update website content can harm
search
engine rankings and detract from the user experience.
23. Lack of HTTPS: Failing to provide HTTPS can harm user trust and lead to a
lower
conversion rate.
24. Poorly Designed Footer: A footer that is asymmetric can harm user
experience and
make it difficult for visitors to find the information they are looking for.
25. Failing to Test: Failing to test a website for functionality and user
experience can
harm engagement and result in lost business opportunities.
Below table represents possible solutions to common design mistakes.
Design Mistake
Possible Solutions
Confusing Navigation
Use clear and concise labels for navigation menus, add a search bar,
use breadcrumbs to show users where they are on the website
Slow Page Loading Issues
Optimize image file sizes, minify JavaScript and CSS files, use a
Content
Delivery Network (CDN)
Cluttered Design
Use whitespace to create a clean layout, limit the number of design
elements on each page, create a visual hierarchy with typography and
color
Inconsistent Branding
Ensure all design elements such as logos, color palettes, and fonts
are
consistent with brand guidelines
Improper Mobile
Optimization
Use responsive design to adapt to different screen sizes, create
mobile-friendly navigation, test website on mobile devices
Non-Responsive Design
Use a responsive design that automatically adjusts to different
screen
sizes, test website on different devices
Non-Responsive Design
Use a responsive design that automatically adjusts to different
screen
sizes, test website on different devices
Auto-Playing Media
Allow users to control media playback or avoid auto-playing media
altogether
Inadequate Color Choices
Use colors that align with brand identity and consider accessibility
guidelines, use consistent colors throughout the website
Hard-to-Read Text
Use legible fonts, format text for easy readability, consider
contrast
for
those with visual impairments
Lack of White Space
Use whitespace to create visual balance, reduce clutter, and improve
readability
Unclear Call-to-Actions
Use clear and concise language for call-to-action buttons, place
them
in a prominent location on the page
Complex Forms
Keep forms simple and use only necessary fields, break long forms
into smaller sections
Poor Quality Content
Regularly update website content to keep it fresh and relevant,
remove
outdated information
Broken Links
Regularly check website for broken links and fix them as soon as
possible
Too Much Text
Use concise and scannable text, use headings and subheadings to
break up large blocks of text
No Contact Information
Provide clear and visible contact information on the website, such
as a
phone number, email address, and physical address
Stock Photos
Use original and high-quality images that are relevant to the
content,
consider using professional photography services
Inaccessible Content
Ensure website is accessible to users with disabilities, such as
using
alternative text for images or captions for videos
Inappropriate Font
Choices
Use legible and appropriate fonts that match the tone of the
website,
consider using web-safe fonts for maximum compatibility
Inconsistent Layout
Use consistent layouts throughout the website, such as the placement
of the navigation menu or the location of the logo
Lack of User Testing
Conduct user testing to identify and address usability issues,
consider
A/B testing to compare different design options.
Ignoring Analytics
Use website analytics to track user behavior and make informed
design decisions, such as identifying popular pages or user
demographics
Too Many Ads
Limit the number of ads on the website, avoid ads that are intrusive
to
the user experience
Ignoring SEO
Optimize website for search engines by using relevant keywords,
adding meta tags, and creating quality content
Conclusion
Steve Krug,
a renowned website usability expert, has commented on common web design
mistakes in website development, stating "Don't make me think!" in
reference to the need for
intuitive website design.
He stresses the importance of creating a website that is easy to navigate, where
users don't
have to expend mental effort to understand how to use it. Krug emphasizes that
website
owners must strive for simplicity, clarity, and ease of use, to provide the best
possible
user experience.
To create a website that delivers a top-notch user experience and ultimately drives
business success, it's crucial to steer clear of some biggest website design
mistakes. A
meticulous approach to details like mobile responsiveness, speedy loading times, and
user-
friendly navigation can elevate the overall experience for visitors and help build
brand
trust.
If developers can overcome issues such as broken links, excessive pop-ups, and
insufficient
security measures, website owners can ensure smooth site performance and prevent
user
frustration.
By avoiding these shortcomings and designing a website optimized for today's
digital
landscape, website owners can establish a competitive edge, provide real value to
the
users, and position themselves for greater success.
