Did you know that 75% of your website's credibility comes from its design? Visitors may perceive your company as unreliable if there are many errors in the website design. Whether you're building a website from scratch or updating your current one, avoiding these mistakes will allow your business to stand out online for the right reasons.

Website Design Mistakes to Avoid

  • Insufficient contrast

Insufficient contrast is a mistake that is often overlooked. Often this mistake occurs because companies use websites with their brand color palette, which is usually created without taking into account the future web design of the site.

If the color combinations used on a website do not have enough color contrast between the background and foreground colors, text and icons may be difficult to read, especially for those with low vision.

  • Missing or inappropriate alt text

Site visitors using screen readers rely on image alt text to describe what the image or graphic conveys. If it's missing or doesn't adequately describe the image, you're isolating disabled readers from viewing your site.

  • Insufficient or missing visual focus indicators

Without visual indicators of focus, visitors won't be able to fully experience your site. Focus indicators typically appear as outlines around interactive components such as links and buttons. It is important that there is a clear visual indication of which element on the page has the current focus, so that users who navigate with the keyboard and see the screen know exactly where they are on the page and what to expect when they interact with the active element.

  • Unavailable names or labels

If your site conveys information visually, be mindful of those using assistive technology. When designing pages and components where information is conveyed visually, that same information should be communicated using accessible labels for assistive technology.

  • Neglecting responsive design

In the second quarter of 2022, mobile devices accounted for more than 58% of global website traffic, not even counting tablets. If your site isn't as easy to navigate on a mobile device as it is on a desktop, you risk frustrating visitors and increasing your bounce rate.

  • Priority of aesthetics over functionality

One website design mistake that has gained traction over the last few years is prioritizing aesthetics over functionality.

This comes in several forms, from design trends that dilute brands' value proposition to overuse of animation, content, and heavy graphics that enhance aesthetics but become gimmicky. This doesn't mean adopting a minimalist style, it's about balance and how form supports function.

  • Saving on layouts

While walking around the city center, you pass by a clothing store with a creative, visually appealing window display accompanied by text and animation. Then you pass a store where there are a few items of clothing on display on mannequins - nothing catches your eye.

Think of your website as your business's online store. It should reflect your brand and be unique to your company. One of the most significant website design mistakes is choosing a generic template and not customizing it.

For example, using a standard banner by default may be negative. We've all seen them - a full-width image directly below the navigation bar, usually with white or black text and a button on top.

It's so common that it's become formulaic and boring. What was once an attractive design solution is now monotonous.

  • Using ineffective functions

Another common mistake is using ineffective functions. No matter how visually appealing an element may be, remember that the top priority is the effectiveness of your site.

  • No hierarchy

Have you ever visited a website and wondered where to focus your attention? If so, then you were probably on a site where there was no hierarchy. Just as a newspaper uses headlines and subheadings to indicate significance, so should your website's typography.

Organizing elements gives your site a cohesive structure that encourages users to take clear actions to achieve the main goal.

  • Fuzzy navigation

Unclear, confusing navigation is one of the factors that discourage people from viewing your site.

Clear navigation and consistency across multiple touchpoints and user journeys will ensure a smooth transition through your site and will help reduce your bounce rate.

  • Ineffectively communicating your business purpose

When visitors land on your website, they should have a clear understanding of what your company does. The first thing a visitor does when they load your site is determine whether they have reached the right destination.

How to Fix Website Design Errors

Now that we've covered the most common website design mistakes, let's discuss how to fix them.

1. Make accessibility your top priority.

Web accessibility means making websites and the information on them accessible to everyone, so it is essential to design websites correctly.

When we make these common accessibility mistakes in website design, we create usability barriers for millions of people living with some form of disability. Even if your site looks amazing, if certain content or actions are not available to a segment of visitors, it is not meeting its full potential to achieve your goals and business needs.

Review accessibility best practices.

There are tons of resources, checklists, and guidance on how to design, build, and test websites for accessibility.

How to design, build, and test websites for accessibility.

2. Make sure your site is responsive

With responsive web design, you can be sure that no matter how visitors arrive at your site, they will have a seamless experience.

Your goal is to make sure that regardless of device, visitors have the same understanding of your content.

3. Balance aesthetic appeal with smooth use

We know what happens when a site puts aesthetics first and functionality second. A successful website balances visual appeal with a seamless user experience, allowing visitors to navigate through pages and find what they are looking for.

4. Be careful about your website design and don’t be afraid to be creative

Just because you see a lot of websites with a certain design or layout doesn't mean yours should be that way.

Asking about your intentions for a space is another effective way to figure out what will work best for it. “Are the images functional or decorative? Is the layout designed to encourage the user to read or take action? Is there anything interesting that might grab their attention for a few seconds?

Similar to the blinding effect of banner ads, users begin to skip past these large main sections in favor of trying to dive into the meaningful content below.

You may also decide to completely change the layout of your site so that there is no image below the navigation bar. Over 70% of companies invest in design to differentiate their company from the competition, so don't be afraid to do something that no one else in your industry is doing.

5. Don't hide information about non-convertible functions

If your company website has a carousel, make sure you provide highly visible controls, limit the number of slides, and put the most important information first. Nothing important should be hidden beyond the first slide; the user should get important information without interacting with the component.

6. Make sure your site has a hierarchy

Without hierarchy, your site will be cluttered, confusing, and difficult to understand. Thanks to the hierarchy, visitors clearly understand where to look and what to read.

Be sure to use HTML heading tags and adjust the sizes of each to communicate to users the relative importance of each line of text.

To avoid mistakes, it is important to pay attention to three main attributes: scale (exploitation of differences in size), balance (distribution of visual elements), and composition (organizational elements).

7. Make sure your site navigation is intuitive

If your site has poor navigation, it can affect your site's bounce rate. Think of effective navigation as a prerequisite for a seamless user experience.

Intuitive navigation makes the user experience convenient, providing accessible and simple discovery of information or the ability to return to a specific point without interference. Check that the labeling is correct so that any user can easily understand where to find the information they need, and ensure that navigation works on different screen sizes.

 

 

8. Make sure you communicate your business's purpose through design and copy

To achieve this, you use clear text and visual elements. Before you begin, ask yourself what the purpose of your site is. Are you creating an e-commerce site where visitors can buy your company's products? Or is the main purpose of your website to provide information about what services your team provides? Be clear about what your website's mission is. Every feature and text you add to your site should contribute to this goal. You may need to use IT services for your business to maximize audience engagement.

Avoid common design mistakes to increase your site's credibility

By avoiding common design mistakes, you can increase the credibility of your site and leave your visitors with an experience they'll want to return to.

Web design is a team effort that requires a comprehensive approach. The result is ensured by well-coordinated work between stakeholders. There's no better way than testing and iterating, including user research and usability testing, to make sure your website is moving in the right direction.