10 Common Website Mistakes to Avoid
Quick fixes that make your site more strategic, polished, and client-ready
Building a website is exciting — but with so many moving parts, it’s easy to overlook small details that can make a big difference. The good news? Most mistakes are totally avoidable once you know what to look for. Here are 10 of the most common slip-ups I see as a designer — and how you can make sure your site stands out for all the right reasons.
The Mistakes
Forgetting Mobile Users
Over half of website traffic comes from phones — if your site doesn’t look and work beautifully on mobile, you’ll lose potential clients fast. Always preview and test your site on multiple devices.
Walls of Text
Long, unbroken paragraphs are overwhelming online. Break up your copy with short paragraphs, headings, bullet points, and visuals so it’s easy to scan and read.
Missing SEO Basics
Search engines need clear titles, meta descriptions, and alt text to understand your site. Skipping these steps means you’re invisible online — even if your site looks great.
Inconsistent Branding
Mixing too many fonts, colors, or styles makes your site feel scattered and less trustworthy. Stick to your chosen brand elements for a polished, professional look.
“Set It and Forget It”
Your website isn’t a one-and-done project. Update it regularly with fresh content, new offers, and improved messaging to keep it relevant and effective. Blogging is a great option for this!
Confusing Navigation
If visitors can’t figure out where to click, they’ll leave. Keep your menu simple (5–6 main links max) and label everything clearly — no fancy or clever words that make people guess.
Low-Quality or Inconsistent Images
Blurry, stretched, or mismatched photos instantly make your site feel unprofessional. Use high-resolution images that match your brand style and feel cohesive from page to page.
No Clear Call-to-Action (CTA)
Every page should guide people to do something — book a call, join your list, purchase, etc. If your buttons are vague (“Learn more”) or hidden, you’re missing opportunities.
Hiding Important Info
If visitors have to hunt for your pricing, services, or contact info, they’ll likely give up. Make sure the essentials are front and center (or just one click away). *If you don’t want to list pricing that’s totally fine- but make sure you have it clear that you have to be contacted for pricing.
Too Many Choices
Too many links, offers, or next steps can overwhelm your audience. Guide them toward one clear action per page to keep them moving forward.
Want someone to handle the tech and design for you?
I’d love to help. Whether you need a custom site or a done-for-you template setup, we can bring your vision to life — without the stress.