No matter if your website is a storefront for your e-commerce business or if it’s a personal portfolio, there are a couple of things that you should really never do on it. After all, websites are kind of like a first impression for your business, and it’s often one of the best ways to engage potential clients.
So in this post, let’s talk about 10 things that you should really avoid on your website.
This might sound obvious to some, but a clean and visually appealing website is crucial for retaining visitors. Data shows that 88% of online users don’t return to a website if they have a bad experience. To make sure your site impresses rather than repels, aim for a simple, intuitive layout and a clear visual hierarchy. For instance, consider using ample white space to help visitors focus on important content rather than overwhelming them with cluttered layouts.
Some examples of poor design to avoid include unorganized or hard-to-find navigation bars, or overly busy pages with too many images and pop-ups.
Over half of all web traffic now comes from mobile devices, making mobile optimization critical. When a website isn’t responsive on mobile, visitors encounter issues such as oversized text, difficult navigation, or images that don’t scale well. A lack of mobile optimization can lead users to abandon your site and look for a more accessible option.
Try to ensure that all of the buttons and links on your website are easy to press for mobile users, and design your website so that it scales up and down depending on where it’s viewed. Make sure to test your website on different devices as well to get a better understanding of how it looks and feels to use on various platforms.
A slow-loading website is one of the top reasons for high bounce rates. People expect sites to load in under two seconds, and anything longer can result in significant traffic loss. Test your loading speeds frequently and use tools like Google’s PageSpeed Insights to assess areas for improvement.
Some examples of common loading issues include large and unnecessary images that slow down the page, or excessive plugins and scripts which don’t add value to your website. The solution is to compress images or use smaller ones so that they load faster, and to avoid adding too many complex features to your website.
Your website’s content should be clear, concise, and user-focused. Complex language, jargon, or overly lengthy descriptions can turn visitors away. Aim for straightforward language, short sentences, and a logical flow.
For example, don’t include too many long paragraphs and technical explanations and specifications. These things can be reserved for links and pages deeper in your website when people want to learn more. But when you’re presenting a product or service to the average customer, omit those details or at least put them somewhere else.
While it’s tempting to incorporate the latest design trends, doing so can backfire. Overusing trendy elements like excessive animations, flashy graphics, or design gimmicks may make your website seem cluttered or outdated once trends fade.
Instead, focus on subtle and timeless elements that aren’t just there for looks. For instance, animations for button clicks and mouse hovering serve a functional purpose, but they can also make a website feel more alive and responsive.
Pop-ups can be effective when used sparingly, such as for a welcome discount or a newsletter signup. However, frequent or intrusive pop-ups can annoy visitors, especially when they appear before the user has a chance to explore the site.
Anything that appears multiple times on a page load, or things that cover up the entire page, should really be avoided. Layering pop-ups should also be avoided. Let your users explore your website and use more subtle ways to advertise things to them. If you have to use a pop-up, at least make it easy to close and avoid showing it multiple times.
As a business, people expect to find your contact information quickly and easily. Make sure your email, phone number, or contact form is visible, ideally in the footer, on a dedicated “Contact Us” page, or in the sidebar. Missing or hard-to-find contact information can make your business seem unreliable or unprofessional.
Including clickable addresses and phone numbers in the header or footer of your website is a great start. A dedicated contact page is also a great idea, especially if it has a form where users can type in a few words and send a message to you directly.
Website security is a non-negotiable factor in today’s digital landscape. Visitors want to know that their data is safe, especially on e-commerce sites. A lack of security can erode trust, and search engines like Google even penalize insecure websites. Make sure you use SSL certificates, display any relevant trust badges and banners, and remember to update your plugins when possible.
Stock photos are great for when you’re writing a blog post or article and just need something generic to fill in a blank space. But if you’re going to showcase your own products and services, then you eventually need to add some of your own. Custom, high-quality images help you stand out, make your brand memorable, and build trust with your audience.
You don’t need to hire a professional photographer, but that would be a smart idea if you have a lot of photographs to take and can afford it. Otherwise, take your own pictures of actual products, your team, and your workplace. Using these real and genuine photographs of your business will make your company a lot more relatable and trustworthy.
A website that avoids these common mistakes and prioritizes usability can boost your brand’s credibility and encourage customer engagement. If you need assistance, consider hiring an experienced website design company to create a user-centered, optimized site. As a top-notch digital services provider, we specialize in crafting compelling, conversion-focused websites. So contact us today to get started!
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