15 Surprising Web Design Mistakes You Should Avoid
You know how people say, "The devil's in the details"? Well, that sneaky little devil is alive and kicking when it comes to your website design. You might think your site looks fab, but underneath that shiny exterior, there could be some seriously problematic design choices that are doing more harm than good.
It never fails. As I start researching and looking up information for an article I'm writing for a client, I stumble on one terrible website design after another. Whether it's slow loading times, awful navigation, no calls to action, lack of contact information, or something else, I'm regularly seeing website design mistakes. There have even been a few times I've completely exited a website because it clearly was going to be difficult to find the information I needed.
What if that's happening with our own sites? 😨 What if your potential clients find your website, click through, and then quickly exit because they can't find what they need? Or what if they exit because they realize your website is outdated, and they equate your outdated website with your services or products?
(This second part absolutely happens. I witnessed it when I was a wedding planner. I would refer my couples to wedding vendors I know and love, but my clients would come back to me and say they wouldn't hire so-and-so. When I asked why, it usually circled back to an outdated website that didn't properly show this vendor's genuine value and expertise.)
Oof.
As a brand and small business owner, your website is your digital storefront. It’s SO important that you avoid some of the top website design mistakes. Ensuring your website is user-friendly and is as visually appealing as possible is important. Unfortunately, it's easy to make mistakes when designing a website, which can significantly impact your user experience.
But don’t worry—I’ve got your back. We’re going to tackle some of the most common (and surprising) web design mistakes that could be turning your potential clients away faster than a pop-up ad in 2005. And as a bonus, I’ll throw in some tips on how to fix these faux pas, so your website can start working for you, not against you.
So grab your favorite snack, settle in, and let’s talk about those pesky web design blunders.
Biggest Web Design Mistakes
Mistake #1: Overcomplicating Navigation
Navigation should be like a well-organized closet: everything in its place, easy to find, and no digging required. But too often, websites go overboard with dropdown menus within dropdown menus, making visitors feel like they’re on a scavenger hunt they never signed up for.
The Fix: Simplify your menu to include only the most essential pages. Stick to clear, straightforward labels like Home, About, Services, Portfolio, Blog, and Contact. When it comes to navigation, less is definitely more.
"Some people think design means how it looks. But of course, if you dig deeper, it's really how it works." — Steve Jobs
Mistake #2: Ignoring Mobile Users
Here’s a shocker: over 50% of web traffic comes from mobile devices. So if your site looks like it’s stuck in 2008 on a smartphone, you’re waving goodbye to potential clients before they even get to know you.
With such a significant portion of users accessing the web on mobile devices, ensuring that your website is optimized for these users is crucial.
If your website is not mobile responsive, it will not only lead to a poor user experience, but it will also negatively impact your search engine rankings. Google favors mobile-friendly websites, and if your website is not optimized for mobile, you will likely rank lower in search results. To avoid this mistake, test your website on various devices and screen sizes to ensure that it is fully responsive.
The Fix: Make sure your site is fully responsive, meaning it adapts beautifully to any screen size. Test it on different devices to ensure everything from fonts to forms works seamlessly.
If you're using a website builder like Squarespace or Showit, you can rest easy knowing that your design will *mostly* be responsive by default. This means that, for the most part, you don't have to worry about the nitty-gritty technical aspects of responsive design and can focus on creating a visually appealing and user-friendly website. I say "mostly" because I still use custom code to make the mobile version of my client's websites even more user-friendly... and some of these tweaks cannot be achieved without some coding.
Mistake #3: Overloading on Text
We’ve all seen those websites that read like a college textbook. Newsflash: no one has time for that. Visitors want the gist, and they want it fast. Giant blocks of text can be overwhelming and downright exhausting to read (this doesn’t apply to blog posts… but you still want to break up MASSIVE paragraphs).
The Fix: Break your content into bite-sized chunks. Use headers, bullet points, and visuals to guide your readers. Keep your text concise, clear, and to the point.
"Clutter is the official language used by corporations to hide their mistakes." — William Zinsser
Mistake #4: Using Too Many Fonts
Mixing more than two or three fonts on your site is like wearing polka dots, stripes, and plaid all at once—it’s distracting and confusing.
The Fix: Stick to a maximum of two or three fonts. Choose complementary fonts that are easy to read and maintain consistency throughout your site.
Need some new fonts? Some of my favorite font shops are:
Jen Wagner (use SUNDAY15 for 15% off your order)
Mistake #5: Slow Loading Times
A slow-loading website is the digital equivalent of a slow clap—nobody’s sticking around for it. In fact, most users will abandon a site if it takes more than a few seconds to load. Plus, Google considers the loading speed of a website as a ranking factor, so it’s essential to optimize the loading speed of your website.
The Fix: Optimize images (reduce the size and compress them), minimize CSS and JavaScript (aka, lessening the amount used), and ditch unnecessary plugins to speed things up. Fast load times are crucial for keeping visitors on your site and boosting your SEO.
Mistake #6: Ignoring Accessibility
Accessibility isn’t just a nice-to-have; it’s a must-have. If your site isn’t accessible, you’re potentially excluding a significant audience who might want to engage with your business.
The Fix: Make sure your site meets basic accessibility standards. Use alt text for images, provide captions for videos, and ensure that your site is navigable by keyboard. Not only does this make your site more inclusive, but it also enhances your overall user experience. Here’s a free Accessibility checklist from one of my favorite online lawyers! (you can use this link or code SUNDAY for 10% off your whole order).
Mistake #7: Cluttering the Page with Too Much Content
It’s crucial to provide your visitors with the information they need, but it’s equally important to present it in a way that’s easy to digest. When your website is overloaded with content, it doesn’t just look messy—it overwhelms your users and sends them scrambling for the exit.
The Fix: Keep things clean and organized. Treat your website like a well-curated space—each page should be easy to navigate, with content that’s broken up into bite-sized pieces. Use clear headings, bullet points (where appropriate), and plenty of white space to let your content breathe.
Visual elements like images, infographics, and icons can help break up the text and make your pages more engaging—but don’t go overboard. Just make sure your images are optimized for the web to keep your site’s performance snappy.
And if you’re using Squarespace, you’re in luck. Their pre-designed page templates and drag-and-drop design features make it a breeze to create a sleek, organized layout without all the fuss. Remember, sometimes less really is more—especially when it comes to web design.
Mistake #8: Overcomplicating Your Color Scheme
A vibrant color palette can make your site pop, but going overboard with too many colors can make it look chaotic and unprofessional. Think of it like mixing too many paint colors together—you end up with a murky mess rather than something beautiful.
The Fix: Stick to a cohesive color scheme with no more than three to four colors that complement each other. Your primary brand color should be the most prominent, with secondary and accent colors used sparingly to create contrast and guide the eye. This will give your site a polished and harmonious look.
Mistake #9: Not Having Clear Calls to Actions
A Call to Action (CTA) isn’t just a nice-to-have—it’s the big neon sign that guides your visitors toward taking that next step, whether it’s making a purchase, signing up for a newsletter, or filling out a form. Without a clear and prominent CTA, your users might be left wondering, "What now?" and click away without taking any action.
The Fix: Make sure your CTA is clear, concise, and impossible to miss. Use bold colors, strategic placement, and straightforward language to guide your visitors. Instead of hiding your CTA in a corner, give it the spotlight it deserves. And don’t be afraid to experiment—test different CTAs to see which ones get the most love from your audience. Whether it's "Book Your Free Consultation" or "Shop the Collection," the right CTA can make all the difference in turning visitors into clients.
Mistake #10: Using Small or Difficult to Read Text
Let's be real—no one wants to squint or zoom in just to read the content on your website. If your text is too small, too fancy, or blends into the background like camouflage, your visitors won’t stick around long enough to figure out what you’re trying to say. And that’s a big problem.
The Fix: Make sure your text is as clear as your message. Start with a font size that’s easy on the eyes—16px is the sweet spot for most websites, especially for mobile users. Stick with sans-serif fonts for a clean, modern look that’s easy to read across all devices. And don’t forget contrast! Your font color should pop against your background, not fade into it.
Whether you’re using a platform like Squarespace or diving into custom CSS, you have the tools to make your text both stylish and readable. A website that’s easy to read is a website people want to stick around on.
Mistake #11: Skipping Alt Tags for Images
Alt tags might sound like a tiny detail, but they’re a big deal when it comes to making your website accessible and search-engine friendly. Alt tags are descriptions you add to images so that users with visual impairments (or those who just have images turned off) can still get the full story of your content. If you’re not using them, you’re leaving some of your audience—and potential SEO points—out in the cold.
The Fix: Don’t skip the alt tags. Every time you upload an image to your website, take an extra minute to fill in that “description” field with a brief, accurate description of what’s in the image. Not only does this improve accessibility, but it also gives search engines more context about your content, which can help boost your SEO.
Platforms like Squarespace make it super easy to add alt tags—just type your description in the provided field when uploading an image. Remember, a well-described image can be the difference between a frustrating experience and an inclusive one, so don’t skimp on those tags.
→ You may be interested in reading Need Help Boosting Your SEO? Here's Your Simple Guide to Title Tags, Meta Descriptions, and Alt Text.
Mistake #12: Using Too Many Pop-ups or Ads
Pop-ups and ads are like the sprinkles on your digital cupcake—they can be a nice touch, but too many can ruin the whole experience. While they can be effective for generating revenue or promoting your services, overdoing it can seriously annoy your visitors. No one wants to play a game of whack-a-mole just to read your content.
The Fix: Less is more. Use pop-ups and ads sparingly and make sure they’re relevant to your audience. Think of them as a gentle nudge rather than a shove. It’s also a good idea to use ad-blocker detection, so you’re not pestering users who’ve already opted out of seeing ads.
Platforms like Squarespace make it easy to add and customize pop-ups and banner ads, but with great power comes great responsibility. Use these features thoughtfully—aim for a balance that enhances, rather than disrupts, the user experience.
Mistake #13: Outdated Content
An outdated blog post or service description can make your entire website feel like a ghost town. If your last update was in 2021, visitors might assume you’re no longer in business—or worse, that you don’t care.
The Fix: Regularly update your content. Set a reminder to refresh your blog, update your portfolio, and keep your service offerings current.
Mistake #14: Not Updating Regularly
Speaking of outdated content—when was the last time you gave your entire website a good once-over? If your answer is “more than six months ago,” it’s time for a refresh. Websites aren’t set-it-and-forget-it deals.
The Fix: Schedule regular website check-ins. Keep your content fresh, update your design elements, and ensure that all your links are working. This not only keeps your site looking good but also helps with SEO.
Mistake #15: Neglecting Professional Design
A DIY website might have been fine when you were just starting out, but as your business grows, so should your online presence. A professional design can elevate your brand and create a lasting impression on your visitors.
The Fix: Invest in professional web design. A polished, custom site that reflects your brand’s personality and goals is worth its weight in gold—and can make the difference between a visitor and a loyal client.
"If you think good design is expensive, you should look at the cost of bad design." — Dr. Ralf Speth
Quick Wins for Your Website
Before we wrap up, here are a few quick wins that can instantly freshen up your site:
Check for Broken Links: Run a quick audit to find and fix any broken links on your site. There’s nothing worse than a 404 error to kill the user experience and make your site feel outdated.
Embed Your Social Media Links: Ensure your social media links are embedded and functioning. This not only updates your site but also makes it easier for visitors to connect with you.
Update Your Announcement Bar: If you have an announcement bar, keep it current with your latest offers or booking availability. It’s a small detail, but it makes a big difference in how fresh your site feels.
Refresh Your Images: Swap out any old or irrelevant images with newer, high-quality visuals that align with your brand. This small update can make your site feel more current and visually appealing.
Keep Your Blog/YouTube/Podcast Page Updated: Regularly post new content to show that your site—and your business—is active and thriving. A well-maintained content hub signals to visitors (and search engines) that you’re engaged and up-to-date.
Tidy Up Your Footer: Your footer is often overlooked, but it’s an essential part of your website. Make sure all contact details, links, and legal information are accurate and current. Clean up any unnecessary clutter for a more streamlined look.
There you have it—15 web design mistakes that could be quietly sabotaging your online presence. But now that you know what to look out for, you’re well on your way to a website that not only looks amazing but also works like a charm.
Remember, your website is often the first impression people have of your brand. Make it count by avoiding these common pitfalls and focusing on creating a user-friendly, visually appealing site that truly reflects your business. And if you need a hand, you know where to find me!
