50 Common Website Design Mistakes to Avoid in 2023

Creating an effective website design is crucial for any business today, yet many sites suffer from common website design mistakes that sabotage usability and credibility. Even seasoned professionals can overlook critical details that degrade the user experience. In this blog post, we will dive into the 50 most common website design mistakes that every designer and business owner needs to avoid.

Website Design Mistakes to Avoid

1. Cluttered and Disorganized Layouts

Cluttered and disorganized layouts overwhelm users, making it hard to focus and conveying a lack of professionalism and attention to detail. Without a clear visual hierarchy or a cohesive flow, visitors struggle to extract the information they need.

The presence of excess, competing elements such as numerous navigation choices, banners, buttons, ads, and widgets all crammed together creates confusion.

Clean layouts, with the strategic use of negative space and effective prioritization and grouping of related elements, guide the user’s eye. Take care to align items properly and maintain consistency across pages.

2. Difficult Navigation

Difficult navigation frustrates users when they can’t easily find what they need. If the information architecture isn’t intuitive or menus are cluttered with unclear labels, people get lost.

Ensure all key sections are accessible from the main navigation and structure sensibly guides users to relevant content. Make selected pages prominent and group-related sections logically.

Use persistent navigation to ensure it’s always accessible. Internal links should be descriptive, and consistency is crucial across site sections. Proper navigation is essential for usability.

3. Slow Page Load Times

Slow page load times lead to high bounce rates, as users lack patience for delays. Unoptimized images, videos, and third-party scripts increase page size and load time. To address this, minify code, compress images, use a Content Delivery Network (CDN), and cache static assets.

Test site speed and aim for under a 3-second load time. Set performance budgets and assess them regularly to address bottlenecks as the site evolves. Speed optimizations keep visitors engaged.

4. Broken Links and Images

Broken links, missing images, or “page not found” errors damage credibility and ruin the user experience. Always thoroughly test links, buttons, and images across site section pages – don’t assume they work. Set up link checker tools to regularly catch and fix broken elements. Strive for accuracy in referencing to foster trust.

5. Hard-to-Read Font Choices

Hard-to-read font choices, such as overly decorative script fonts or sans serifs with poor letter spacing, fatigue users’ eyes. Low contrast between text and background reduces readability.

Be thoughtful about font selection for headlines, body text, and labels. Ensure an adequate font size for paragraph text and use font pairings wisely. Readability enables easy information intake.

6. Overuse of Pop-ups and Slide-Ins

The overuse of pop-ups and slide-ins is considered intrusive and annoying. While they grab attention, using too many too soon or blocking content will frustrate visitors.

Use them selectively after a visitor is engaged and present a clear value proposition or distinct benefit in the overlay. Allow easy opt-out options as well. Avoid anything deceptive.

7. Dark Color Schemes with Poor Contrast

Dark colour schemes with poor contrast between foreground and background elements reduce readability and strain the eyes. When text blends into the backdrop visually, words become harder to decipher.

Ensure proper contrast, especially between text and background, with a minimum 4.5:1 ratio recommended. Don’t sacrifice aesthetics for legibility and accessibility.

8. Lack of White Space

A lack of white space can make a website appear visually cluttered or crammed together, leaving no breathing room between site elements. Presenting everything in a dense wall of content overwhelms users.

The strategic use of negative space, or white space, around and between items adds clarity. Group related elements and use spacing to define relationships and sections. Whitespace improves scanability.

9. Auto-Playing Music or Video

Auto-playing music or video startles and irritates users. Unexpected media playing as soon as a page loads creates a jarring, disruptive experience. Give the user control and choice over whether media plays versus forcing it on them.

At most, cue it to play only when they engage and interact. Surprising visitors with unrequested sounds will drive them away.

10. Poorly Optimized for Mobile

Being poorly optimized for mobile results in high bounce rates, as most users access websites on mobile devices now. If text is too small, page layouts break, navigation doesn’t adapt well, or important calls-to-action hide “below the fold,” mobile visitors will quickly leave out of frustration.

Mobile responsiveness is mandatory. Test across all devices and use frameworks that gracefully adapt for different screen sizes. Mobile-centric design fosters user loyalty.

11. Overstuffing Pages with Too Much Text/Content

Overstuffing pages with excessive text and content overwhelms users, causing them to potentially miss key information. Prioritize the most important content by placing it higher up the page through strategic visual hierarchy and concise writing.

Use helpful subheads, bullets, and brief paragraphs to enable easy skimming. Remove anything unnecessary and link to supporting pages for deeper dives. Lead with the essence.

12. Burying Important Info Below the Fold

Burying important information below the fold forces users to scroll to find what they need. Since above-the-fold space is premium real estate, visible without scrolling, it should present value immediately.

Lead with the primary call-to-action, unique proposition, and relevant high-level details that users want to know upfront. Make them scroll for supplementary or deeper content further down. Capture interest above the fold first.

13. Unclear Calls-to-Action

Unclear calls-to-action mean users don’t know what action to take next, causing your desired goals to fall flat. Strong calls-to-action should stand out visually on the page and use trigger words that compel the click.

Descriptive verbs like “Shop Now” or “Download” indicate what happens after the click, while vague CTAs like “Submit” or “Click Here” are weak. Strategic and prominent placement also boosts CTA effectiveness.

14. Generic and Overused Stock Photos

Using generic and overused stock photos can make a site feel cliché and dull. Investing in custom images or photography gives your site a unique brand look and feel, setting it apart from competitors who rely on the same free stock assets.

Stock imagery can also lack authenticity, featuring overly perfect models and settings. If you must use stock photos, be selective and choose relevant images that aren’t seen everywhere. Original imagery makes a memorable visual impact.

15. Overly Salesy or Promotional Copy

Overly salesy or promotional copy can seem pushy and damage credibility. While you want to convey your offerings, focus on being helpful, solving problems, and educating users rather than resorting to “hard selling” tactics.

Provide value upfront without giving the impression of overselling. Use benefit-focused messaging and avoid sounding like an infomercial. Establish expertise before making any direct asks.

16. Spelling and Grammatical Errors

Nothing undermines professionalism more than spelling and grammatical errors. Mistakes erode credibility and make the site seem unreliable. Always thoroughly proofread and spell-check every page.

Seek fresh eyes for reviews, especially on large sites, and consider using tools like Grammarly to catch issues that plugins may miss. Accuracy and precision in language are of great importance.

17. Security and Privacy Concerns

Security and privacy concerns will drive users away if the site isn’t using HTTPS or is collecting data improperly. Prioritize visitor trust and transparency. Make policies, like terms of use and privacy policy, easy to find and write them in plain language.

Reassure users about the steps you’ve taken to protect their data. Follow regulations and emphasize confidentiality where applicable.

18. Outdated Design and Layout

An outdated design and layout can imply that your business is stuck in the past and make you look irrelevant compared to competitors. While design trends shouldn’t dictate your every move, regular updates and refreshing can keep your site looking modern and appealing.

Small tweaks, like new header treatments, updated colour schemes, or different imagery styles, can go a long way. Monitor metrics after making changes, and aim to refresh the site every 2-3 years.

19. Lack of Visual Hierarchy

A lack of visual hierarchy means that all elements on the page compete for attention, making it unclear where the visitor should look first. To lead the user’s eye strategically, avoid treating all content equally.

Leverage design techniques like scale, colour, spacing, typography, and placement to differentiate elements by importance. Establish a clear flow that complements natural eye movement patterns.

20. Inconsistent Branding

Inconsistent branding across your website weakens and confuses brand identity when colours, fonts, logo placement, and size vary widely from one page to another. To maintain consistency, create brand style guidelines and component libraries for reference.

Ensure that your branding remains cohesive across all touchpoints, including print, digital, and social media, not just on the website. Uniformity strengthens recognition.

21. Bad Homepage Design

A poorly designed homepage represents a wasted first impression opportunity if it’s cluttered, uses irrelevant imagery, buries key information, or lacks clear messaging. The homepage is your website’s MVP, making that initial connection with visitors and conveying your value quickly.

Organize it strategically by leading with primary calls to action and concise, compelling copy. Guide visitors smoothly to the next steps that align with your conversion goals.

22. Unresponsive Design

Unresponsive design frustrates mobile users who can’t properly read or navigate site content on smaller screens. If key elements overlap, text sizes don’t adjust, and navigation collapses, mobile visitors will quickly abandon your site.

Employ responsive frameworks that gracefully adapt layouts and components to fit nicely across all devices. Conduct thorough mobile testing to ensure that users on mobile devices have a satisfying experience.

23. Difficult to Scan and Skim

Content that is difficult to scan and skim reduces the findability of relevant information. Users want to quickly extract key information without reading full paragraphs.

To make your content more scannable, break up dense text with descriptive headers, short paragraphs, bullet lists, and bold key terms. Include ample whitespace between elements. Clear structure and formatting enable easy visual scanning. Prioritize scannability.

24. Overuse of Pop-Up Forms and Newsletter Sign-Ups

Overusing pop-up forms and email newsletter sign-up requests too early can annoy visitors before they see your value. It’s best to wait for organic sign-up conversions once a user is engaged, rather than interrupting immediately with a modal or slide-in.

Avoid blocking content behind forced overlays and ask visitors for information like emails after trust has been established. Patience yields willing sign-ups.

25. No FAQs or Support Section

Lacking FAQs or a support section means that users have no self-service place to resolve questions and get help. A well-designed FAQ knowledge base that anticipates visitor questions reduces the need for users to contact you while making the site easy to use.

Include sections like Shipping Policy, Returns, Exchanges, User Guides, etc. Give users multiple access points and reduce friction and inquiries through self-help.

26. Missing Testimonials

Missing testimonials on your website represent a lost opportunity to build credibility through social proof. Relevant quotes from satisfied customers or clients reduce visitor scepticism and reinforce trust in your capabilities, products, services, etc.

Feature genuine testimonials from credible sources, providing more than just a name and location. Spotlight meaningful specifics that resonate with your audience.

27. Lack of an About Us Page

Visitors want to know who you are, not just what you sell. An About Us page crafts your brand story and conveys your company’s values and purpose. Well-written About Us content humanizes your business and establishes your expertise.

Share origins, founder’s vision, milestones, differentiators, and include images of your team, office, and products. Help visitors know you beyond your products.

28. Skipping the Website Planning Process

Skipping the website planning process leads to an aimless design lacking strategy. It’s crucial to identify goals, analyze competitors, and outline a content map first. Understanding your audience, their needs, and intents on your site is vital.

Define the actions you want them to take. Planning informs effective information architecture, wireframes, and page design focused on desired outcomes. Define success metrics to measure your progress.

29. Not Testing Across Different Devices

Assuming your website works on all devices without testing is risky. Conduct comprehensive responsive testing across all devices, including tablets, smartphones, and laptops, to catch potential issues. While platform emulators are helpful, test directly on physical devices as well.

What displays correctly on a desktop may break or become unusable on a mobile device. Verify functionality for every visitor.

30. Forgetting Alt Text for Images

Forgetting alt text for images impacts accessibility for those using screen readers and also affects SEO. Use concise and descriptive alt text to provide context to images when they fail to load.

Avoid phrases like “image of” for alt text and check contrast levels as well. Optimize photos to ensure accessibility for all users.

31. Lack of Website Analytics

Lack of website analytics means you have no insight into optimization opportunities. Install Google Analytics or a similar tool to start capturing data on traffic sources, user behaviour, conversions, and more.

Analyze metrics to identify weak points and areas for improvement. Set goals and benchmarks, and let analytics inform data-driven design decisions for better performance.

32. Poor Website Speed and Performance

Poor website speed and performance directly impact conversions and SEO rankings. Test your site’s speed using tools like Google PageSpeed and Lighthouse.

Optimize images, minify code, compress files, cache assets, and more. Set performance budgets and assess them regularly as your site evolves. Fast load times keep visitors engaged.

33. Blocking Search Engines

Blocking search engine crawling and indexing hides your pages from search traffic. Allow search engine spiders to access your site appropriately within directives.

Disallow pages you want to be omitted, use noindex tags strategically, and configure your robots.txt file properly. Review search console reports to refine your search engine visibility. Being findable on search engines expands your reach.

34. Not Optimizing for SEO

Not optimizing website content for SEO makes you invisible for relevant searches. Apply on-page SEO best practices, including meta descriptions, alt text, heading hierarchy, and optimizing images.

Build high-quality backlinks through strategies like guest posts, directories, and mentions. Conduct keyword research and competitor analysis to inform your optimization efforts.

35. Choosing the Wrong Domain Name

Choosing the wrong domain name can hinder branding and memorability. Ideal domains are short, easy to spell and remember, brandable if possible, and have a .com extension for trust.

Avoid hyphens, numbers, and unusual spellings. Variations of your brand name can work well. Always check availability before finalizing your choice.

36. Not Securing HTTPS

Not securing HTTPS on your website is critical for security and SEO rankings now. Always install an SSL certificate to enable the HTTPS protocol and activate it across your site.

Browsers flag HTTP as unsafe, and HTTPS shows users that you value security and convey trustworthiness.

37. Ignoring Website Accessibility

Ignoring website accessibility excludes people with disabilities from using your site if it doesn’t comply with standards like ADA and WCAG.

Ensure that everyone can navigate and use your content by following accessibility guidelines for copy, colour contrast, ARIA tags, video captions, screen reader testing, and more. Expanding your audience reach through accessibility is a crucial step.

38. Cookie or Age Consent Notice Pop-Ups

Cookie consent notice pop-ups can be annoying to users but are legally required in certain geographies. Follow the requirements, like GDPR, but aim to minimize their impact on the user experience.

Don’t block content behind these notices, keep the language clear and concise, and make the opt-out option easy to find if declined. Ensure full accessibility before user acceptance.

39. Outdated or Broken Plugins

Outdated plugins can slow down your site, create conflicts, and lead to abandoned carts. Keep your WordPress and other site plugins updated to the current stable versions for better performance and security.

Watch for conflicts after updates, and remove inactive plugins. Sign up for update notifications and monitor your plugins regularly. Maintenance protects your site’s functionality.

40. Hiding Navigation in Hamburger Menus

Hiding navigation in hamburger menus decreases discoverability on mobile devices. Users often overlook and underuse menus hidden until tapped. When possible, show key sections prominently for easy access.

If space is constrained, ensure that menu labels are descriptive and make the menu persistent, so it’s accessible across all pages. Usable navigation aids discovery.

41. Unnecessary Landing Page Pop-Ups

Landing page pop-ups that block content are often abandoned quickly in frustration by visitors before they see the value, this is probably the most common website design mistake. Avoid unnecessary overlays and put key information on the actual page first.

Wait for pop-ups or slide-ins until the visitor is engaged. If using them, make the purpose and benefit very clear upfront, using as few words as possible. Intrusive pop-ups can backfire.

42. Too Much Engaging Animation

Too much motion and animation can fatigue users and make absorbing information difficult. Restrict the use of animation to subtle, meaningful motion that enhances the user experience. Avoid excessive movement that draws focus away from content.

Test whether animations increase or reduce engagement metrics. Any animated element should meaningfully guide the visitor’s flow.

43. Overusing Sliders and Carousels

Overusing sliders, carousels, and rotators usually leads to ignored content by visitors. Research shows that most users don’t click on them, and they are often ignored.

Avoid endless spinning of items. If you choose to use them, showcase them very selectively and sparingly. Ensure that each slide delivers a compelling and distinct value that’s worthy of its own dedicated page. Rotating content just for the sake of motion wastes an opportunity.

44. Bad Footer Design

A poorly designed website footer is wasted space and a missed opportunity. Include useful secondary navigation links, a sitemap, contact information, social media links, copyright notices, and more. Make it skimmable with columns and clear headings. Add subscriptions if appropriate. A clean, organized footer enhances credibility and usability.

45. Forgetting Breadcrumb Navigation

Forgetting breadcrumb navigation hinders the ability of users to orient themselves on deep page hierarchies. Breadcrumbs act like a trail that enables visitors to see where they are within the broader site structure at a glance.

They also provide SEO value to pages deeper in your information architecture. Include breadcrumbs on all pages beyond the homepage and make sure the links are active at each level.

46. Not Enabling User Feedback Options

Not enabling user feedback options means you lack insight into visitors’ website experiences and where improvements may be needed.

At a minimum, provide an easy-to-access contact email and phone number. A feedback form is even better for structured input. User testing is ideal to observe struggles firsthand and embrace constructive criticism.

47. Fake or Poor-Quality Testimonials

Using fake or poor-quality testimonials quickly gets detected by visitors, raising distrust instead of providing social proof. Only feature genuine positive customer quotes that are relevant to your offerings and audience.

Provide details about the source and context of each testimonial. Curate credible testimonials from verified purchases and clients who are representative of your users.

48. Using Default Themes or Templates

Using default web design templates and themes often looks generic and lacks customization and optimization for your brand. Treat website design as a unique visual representation of your business, rather than relying on something cookie-cutter.

Personalize layouts, visuals, and content, even if you’re using a content management system (CMS) framework. Let your brand’s personality and your audience shine through.

49. Going Overboard with Stock Photos

Going overboard with too many stock photos can come across as disingenuous, using overly perfect models, scenes, and visuals that feel impersonal.

While cost-effective, prioritize quality over quantity with stock assets. Strive for authenticity by using genuine custom photos sparingly to send a credible branded message.

50. Not Updating Copyright Dates

Neglecting to update copyright dates makes your site seem outdated and stuck in the past. Always display the current year in your site’s footer copyright statement and remember to update it each new year.

Doing so reassures visitors that your business is active in the present and avoids the appearance of abandonment.

Avoid Common Website Design Mistakes for Greater Usability and Conversions

Avoiding common website design mistakes takes diligence, but pays off tremendously in the performance and ROI of your online presence. No business wants its site to drive visitors away due to frustration and lack of engagement.

By learning the pitfalls that hurt credibility and conversions, you can thoughtfully optimize every element for your audience.