It doesn't matter what the year is or how advanced the technology gets, web design mistakes keep on happening at the corporate and individual levels. Let's face it, a website is usually one of the first things that is noticed; it serves as your first impression. Given how much competition there is these days, even minute mistakes can be costly and result in the loss of a potential client.
So, what makes a bad website in today's world? It's not always glaring errors, sometimes it's the slow load, the clunky layout, or the lack of mobile readiness. According to a recent study by Sweor, 88% of users won't return to a site after a poor experience. That's nearly 9 out of 10 opportunities lost due to avoidable issues.
If you want to know what the major mistakes companies make when building their websites or even what to factor in when deciding to outsource for web development services, then you have come to the right place. In this blog, we'll look in depth at the five biggest flaws to avoid so that your site can truly be a picture of success. So, without further ado, let's begin.
Mistake #1 → Ignoring mobile responsiveness
When it comes to website design mistakes to avoid, mobile responsiveness usually tops the charts. It is a basic yet frequently overlooked feature that companies tend to miss. The implications of this flaw are critical and usually hurt traffic and lead to lost business opportunities.
According to various sources, over 60% of website traffic now comes from mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets. What that means is if your website is not optimized to be displayed on these devices, you are losing a big chunk of visitors, i.e., potential customers. Also, Google doesn't take such issues lightly and will rank your website lower than those that are mobile responsive.
Common website mistakes in this area include:
- Fixed-width layouts
- Tiny tap targets (like buttons and links)
- Poor font scaling on mobile
- Content cut off or overlapping
Google's mobile-first indexing also means your mobile version is what gets ranked first, not your desktop one.
Furthermore, having a mobile-responsive site isn't just about aesthetics; it's about how well it works. A website designed to be mobile responsive also functions much better and offers a better experience to visitors. From allowing faster interactions to providing a smooth navigation experience, it can help reduce bounce rates when responsiveness is optimized correctly. It's not just a trend. It's now the standard for any serious web development company.
Mistake #2 → Cluttered or confusing UI/UX
Once in a while, you come across a site that's hard to navigate or understand. That feeling of being lost on someone's website is mainly due to poor focus on the user interface and user experience (UI/UX).
The UI/UX flaws are some of the top website redesign mistakes; they usually occur when businesses redesign their sites to improve aesthetics and lose focus on ease of use.
What are the common web design mistakes? These include:
- Too many competing visual elements
- Confusing or hidden calls to action
- Overloaded navigation bars
- No consistent flow between sections
When a visitor tries to navigate a website and they are unable to do so due to the factors mentioned above and others, they tend to leave quickly. Such factors can especially be destructive for sales on sites that don't pay proper attention to design and usability in ecommerce web development.
An understandable and easy-to-use interface garners trust from users and also allows them to explore further without hassle, increasing the likelihood of converting them into customers.
One way companies avoid such UI/UX problems is by having people visit their site and asking them to rate how easy it was to use. There are even certain platforms and tools like Crazy Egg and Hotjar that can create heatmaps and scroll maps. Using such information, you can identify and address user pain points.
Mistake #3 → Not focusing on accessibility
Accessibility isn't optional anymore. It is one of the most critical website design mistakes to avoid. Ignoring it can adversely affect an organization's reputation, lead to legal consequences, and result in lost business.
So, what exactly does accessibility mean? An accessible site allows people with disabilities to navigate the website and its contents. For example, a person with visual impairment can use screen readers to interpret alt text that describes images. On the other hand, if there is an audio clip on the website, captions or text describe what's on it for individuals who are deaf.
The factors that add to a website's accessibility include:
- Descriptive alt text for images
- High-contrast color schemes
- ARIA labels for assistive tech
- Logical tab orders for keyboard navigation
- Closed captions on video
If your website does not offer any accessibility options, it can lead to legal issues. Also, search engines such as Google put a lot of emphasis on the user experience. They will penalize such websites.
So when you ponder over the question: "How to create an accessible website?", think "what can be done to make it better for everyone?"
Mistake #4 → Neglecting SEO in the build
If search engines can't read your site, they can't rank it. One of the most dangerous and common website mistakes is treating SEO as a bolt-on feature after launch, when in reality, it should be baked into your site's DNA.
Refer to this list that summarizes how to avoid web design mistakes when focusing on SEO:
- Use proper heading structure → one H1 for the page title, H2s for sections, and H3s for subsections
- Write clean, semantic HTML
- Compress images without killing quality
- Minimize JavaScript that blocks crawlability
- Avoid walls of unstructured content
If your site loads slowly, lacks metadata, or isn't optimized for core web vitals, your rankings will suffer, no matter how "pretty" it is.
Search engine optimization starts in the planning phase. It is best to work with companies and developers who understand SEO. At the same time, ensure that marketing teams are also involved in design and content planning.
Mistake #5 → No clear update or maintenance plan
This is one of the most silent yet damaging web design mistakes: building a site and then walking away from it. A "set it and forget it" approach leads to slow performance, broken links, outdated content, and major security flaws. What makes a bad website over time isn't always how it was built; it's how it's maintained.
Some real-world risks include:
- Outdated plugins or themes that create security vulnerabilities
- Broken links that harm SEO performance
- Distorted page layouts after browser updates
- Expired SSL certificates that go unnoticed
Anyone thinking of diving into web development for their websites or platforms should have a clear maintenance strategy. This includes regular backups, plugin updates, speed testing, SEO monitoring, and periodic usability audits.
Final thoughts
In conclusion, common website design mistakes can be extremely costly for your business. In today's competitive market, factors like accessibility, user experience, and search engine optimization can make or break your online success.
If you are looking for a reliable web development partner, then go for a reliable service provider like Pixelette Technologies. They have extensive experience and the best global talent team that offers customized, scalable, and error-free web development from the get-go.