7 Most Common Mistakes in Web Design | Steps to Avoid

common mistake in web design

When you design your website, you always want to think about the people you intend to explore it with. This is because the user experience determines how successful your website will be. Regarding user experience, this is one aspect of the design phase that is much more than making things look nice. It’s about creating an experience that resonates with the customers. However, there are several common mistakes in web design and the web development process that you don’t want to fall into, as these mistakes can have huge ramifications for your site. So, let’s look at seven crucial mistakes you never want to make if you want your site to succeed. 

Common Mistakes to Avoid in Web Design:

Many common mistakes in web design are made by web developers or UI/UX designers. It’s not like that you need to hire the best designer or developer. Here are some common points that you have to consider for better user experience and organic reach:

No SEO in Page Titles:

When discovering your website, the search engine tends to be the most commonplace. The search engines are also one of the most common ways that users will find their way around your website. A compelling page title is, thus, your only way to attract users to your site through search engine results. That’s why you want to ensure they are as enticing as possible. 

Turning off the Back Button:

Some time ago, web designers figured out a way of turning off the back button on a user’s browser so that one of several things occurred when someone attempted to click on it. 

They’d either be redirected to a location, not of their choosing; the web page stays where it is because the back button is inactive, or a new pop-up window appears and overtakes the screen. 

My advice to you is to never do it. The only thing you’ll succeed at doing is annoying your visitors, and this is a web design mistake that you have to take seriously to be sure they’ll never come back. 

Slow Server Performance is another common mistakes in web design

If your site is hosted on a prolonged server, they can leave it. Studies have shown that the average customer will wait no more than 4 seconds for a page to load on your standard ecommerce website. If your site takes longer to load than that, then you need to get to work immediately. You can use caching plugins, but you can also consider lowering the quality of your images, removing unnecessary plugins, or choosing new hosting. 

Using PDF Files for Reading Online:

Your typical end user loathes reading from a PDF file while surfing the web. This is because it breaks up the flow, so you want to integrate all your content into your web pages. Alternatively, you can utilize PDF giveaways via email. 

Poor Navigation is the Worst Web Design Mistake:

When people log onto the internet, they expect everything to flow quickly. If internet surfers cannot navigate your website with much effort, they’ll simply find another website. It’s very annoying and frustrating having to go back to previous pages on a site just to get to new ones within the same website. It also wastes a considerable amount of time. You want a navigation bar on every page of your site so that visitors can always access every part of your site. 

You can position your navigation bar either at the top of every page or on the left-hand side; that way, people will know where to find it. You may also want to add a sitemap to your site and make it accessible from the navigation bar; that way, end users can go through it if they’re trying to find something specific. 

Not Using Data Analytics:

Using analytics programs makes it incredibly easy to track what is going on with your website. You can quickly determine which pages yield the best results and which call-to-actions resonate with your customers. 

You can also figure out which pages are not getting the amount of traffic you hope. All these details can be used to help you improve your site. As you know, which pages work well and which ones require your attention? 

You can use many different analytics programs, with Google’s very own analytics service being one of the most popular. Simply add its tracking code to your site, and you’re ready to go. It’ll immediately begin to collate data, which you can use to further enhance your site. 

Too Many Pop Ups it is the most common Web Design Mistake:

Most of those who visit your website will be annoyed by pop-ups appearing right after clicking on a link or while reading content on your site. 

Such pop-ups tend to be very intrusive, making your website less user-friendly. 

To rectify this problem, you’ll want to position your pop-ups in more strategic locations. You also want to ensure the end user can pursue their desires without being bombarded with pop-ups requesting things. Consider putting these pop-ups at the very end of a page or the end of an ecommerce site; that way, you can be sure it won’t get in the way of whatever someone may be doing while on your website. 

Read More: Importance of Website Design in 2024 | Branding | Web Designing 

Steps to Avoid Web Design Mistakes:

To avoid common web design mistakes. You need to follow the essential details. It doesn’t matter who is designing your website, whether experienced or fresher. If he follows the basics, you are good to go with it. 

  1. Prioritize User Experience (UX): Ensure the website is easy to navigate, with clear CTAs and fast load times.
  2. Mobile Responsiveness: Make sure your site works seamlessly on mobile devices.
  3. Optimize for SEO: Use proper tags, meta descriptions, and keyword placement to improve search engine rankings.
  4. Avoid Cluttered Design: Keep your layout clean and organized, focusing on simplicity.
  5. Consistent Branding: Use uniform fonts, colors, and styles across the site to enhance brand recognition.
  6. Test for Browser Compatibility: Check your website on different browsers for smooth functionality.
  7. Regular Updates: Keep your content fresh and relevant, ensuring all links and elements work.

These steps help create a professional and user-friendly website. Choose your designer wisely, who has at least a basic understanding of organic reach and user experience. 

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About Uchenna

Uchenna Ani-Okoye is a former IT Manager who now runs his own computer support website where you writes extensively and other related topics.

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