Did you know that 75% of your website’s credibility is attributed to its design? Visitors may perceive your company as less trustworthy if there are many website design mistakes.
Designing and maintaining a website can be daunting, but with the right tools and knowledge, you can create an amazing user experience that drives sales or leads.
However, there are some key design mistakes you will want to avoid to achieve success.In this blog post, we discuss seven of the biggest web design mistakes you will want to steer clear of when building or revamping your website.
1. Not prioritising accessibility.
Treating accessibility like an afterthought is the number one website design mistake you can make.
It is estimated that 1 in 5 people in the world have some form of disability. That means, a lot of your users will access your website differently to you. So, when you are designing, building or optimising your website, you need to be taking accessibility into consideration right from the start, in order to ensure that everyone can use and enjoy your site.
Here are some very simple tips to follow -
Use clear and concise language. Using plain language benefits everyone, not just those with cognitive disabilities.
Optimise your site for different devices, and not just screen based devices.
Think about ‘alternative content’ approaches to all of your content. Using alternative text (alt-text) for images is a common example of this.
Provide captions and transcripts for videos.
Use colour carefully, and be especially aware of contrast ratios between text and backgrounds.
2. Slow Loading Times
If your website doesn’t load quickly, the bad news is that you’re losing sales. People aren’t willing to wait anymore. Even worse, slow websites often finish well below faster ones in search results. This means that customers see your competitors’ sites before yours.
The good news is that it isn’t rocket science to up your page load speed. Start by taking a look at how your website is performing. You can use Google PageSpeed Insights to discover its current speed and get a breakdown of what needs attention.
Here's a preview of what you can expect from Google PageSpeed Insights...
3. Poor Navigation
Your website's navigation should be intuitive and user-friendly. If visitors can't find what they're looking for within seconds, they're likely to leave. Streamline your menu, use clear labels, and create a logical structure for your site.
Here's an example of a horizontal navigation bar...
4. Lack of Clear Call-to-Actions
Every page on your website should have a clear purpose and a call-to-action (CTA). Whether it's signing up for a newsletter, making a purchase, or contacting you, make it easy for visitors to take the next step.
This is usually a…
Top of the funnel action - subscribing to a blog
Or a
Bottom of the funnel action - requesting a consultation
Take some time to decide what one or two call-to-actions you want your customers to take when they visit your website as they help move the website user down the sales funnel.
5. Overlooking SEO
Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) is your best friend when it comes to online visibility. Ensure your website is optimised for search engines to increase your chances of being found by your target audience.
6. Ignoring Content Quality
Content is king, and it's what keeps your visitors engaged. Don't sacrifice quality for quantity. Create informative, valuable, and engaging content that resonates with your target audience.
7. Failing to Test and measure
A successful website is an evolving one. Regularly test your site's performance, gather feedback, and make necessary improvements. Don't be afraid to iterate and adapt to changing user needs.
Your website is often the first impression potential customers have of your business. Avoid these common website design mistakes, and you'll be well on your way to creating a user-friendly, efficient, and effective online presence. Remember, your website should be an asset, not a liability.
If you need guidance and support to build or revamp your site, we are here to help, book a call today.
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