Your website is often the first impression potential customers have of your business. A well-designed site can attract, engage, and convert visitors while a poorly designed one can drive them away within seconds.
In today’s competitive digital landscape, even small design errors can lead to lost traffic, reduced conversions, and lower search visibility.
In this article, we’ll explore the 12 most common website mistakes that businesses make and share actionable tips to fix them.
1. Unclear Communication and Navigation
When users land on your website, they should immediately understand who you are, what you do, and how your products or services can help them.
Websites that lack clarity in communication or structure often lose visitors within seconds. Complex navigation menus, vague headlines, and scattered information create unnecessary friction.
How to fix it:
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Keep your navigation simple and intuitive.
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Ensure your homepage clearly states your value proposition.
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Use concise copy to explain what makes your brand or solution unique.
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Apply the “three-click rule”: users should find key information within three clicks.
2. Weak Calls-to-Action (CTAs)
A call-to-action guides users to take the next step whether that’s booking a consultation, signing up for a demo, or making a purchase. Weak or misplaced CTAs fail to convert even the most interested visitors.
How to fix it:
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Use clear, action-oriented language such as “Get a Quote” or “Contact Us Today.”
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Place CTAs strategically above the fold and near relevant content.
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Test button colours and positions for visibility and engagement.
At MediaPlus Digital, our design process includes conversion-focused planning to ensure CTAs are both visually and contextually effective.
3. Overly Cluttered Design
Many websites suffer from trying to showcase too much information at once leading to cluttered layouts that overwhelm visitors. Too many fonts, colours, and visuals can distract from key messages.
How to fix it:
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Limit the number of colours and typefaces used.
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Organise content with clear headings and balanced white space.
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Focus on a clean, modern layout that draws attention to what matters most your message and conversion goals.
A minimalist approach often results in a more sophisticated and trustworthy impression.
4. Poor Mobile Responsiveness
Mobile users now account for more than half of global website traffic. A design that fails to adapt to different screen sizes immediately alienates a large portion of your audience.
How to fix it:
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Ensure your website layout, fonts, and images adjust seamlessly across devices.
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Optimise menus for touch navigation.
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Test across major browsers and screen sizes before launch.
At MediaPlus Digital, we build fully responsive websites using modern frameworks that deliver a consistent user experience on desktop, tablet, and mobile.
5. Slow Loading Speed
Even the most visually stunning websites can lose effectiveness if they load too slowly. A delay of just a few seconds can significantly increase bounce rates and reduce conversions.
How to fix it:
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Compress and optimise images without compromising quality.
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Minimise plugin usage and unnecessary code.
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Use browser caching and a Content Delivery Network (CDN).
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Choose reliable hosting with strong performance metrics.
Website speed is not only a user experience factor but also a crucial SEO ranking signal.
6. Outdated or Irrelevant Content
Old or inaccurate content gives the impression that a website and by extension, the business is inactive. This can negatively affect trust and search engine visibility.
How to fix it:
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Review and update your content regularly.
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Remove outdated promotions, expired offers, or irrelevant pages.
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Refresh visuals and case studies to reflect recent work or achievements.
Our content and design teams at MediaPlus can assist with website redesigns that bring outdated websites up to modern standards while preserving brand identity.
7. Broken Links and Missing Pages
Broken links, missing images, or “404 Not Found” errors disrupt user experience and damage SEO performance.
How to fix it:
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Use Google Search Console or auditing tools to identify broken links.
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Implement 301 redirects when removing or relocating pages.
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Create a helpful 404 page that directs users back to your homepage or key sections.
8. Untrustworthy or Inconsistent Design Elements
Design plays a vital role in building trust. Poor-quality images, excessive pop-ups, or missing contact information can make your site appear unreliable.
How to fix it:
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Display full company contact details, including address and phone number.
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Include an “About Us” page to humanise your brand.
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Secure your website with an SSL certificate (HTTPS).
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Avoid aggressive pop-ups and flashy animations.
Professional design fosters confidence, something we prioritise in every MediaPlus website build.
9. Inconsistent Branding
A website should be an extension of your brand identity. Mismatched colours, fonts, or imagery create confusion and weaken brand recall.
How to fix it:
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Follow a consistent brand style guide.
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Use the same logo, tone, and imagery across all web pages.
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Align your web design with your social media and marketing materials.
Consistency enhances professionalism and recognisability.
10. Poor Grammar and Readability
No matter how elegant your design is, poor language quality can instantly lower your credibility.
How to fix it:
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Proofread every page before publishing.
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Keep sentences concise and easy to scan.
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Use plain language and avoid industry jargon unless necessary.
Professional copywriting ensures your brand communicates with clarity and confidence.
11. Ignoring Accessibility Standards
An accessible website ensures all users including those with disabilities can interact with your content. Ignoring accessibility not only limits your audience but can also have legal implications in certain markets.
How to fix it:
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Add descriptive alt text to images.
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Maintain sufficient colour contrast between text and background.
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Use large, legible fonts and logical heading hierarchies.
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Ensure forms and navigation are compatible with assistive technologies.
Accessible design is both inclusive and good for SEO.
12. Lack of Security and Legal Compliance
A secure website safeguards user data and reinforces brand trust. Neglecting this aspect can expose your business to cyber risks and non-compliance with data protection laws.
How to fix it:
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Install SSL certificates and use HTTPS.
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Keep your CMS and plugins updated.
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Include privacy, cookie, and terms of service pages.
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Implement GDPR or PDPA-compliant consent mechanisms.
Conclusion
Effective web design is more than just aesthetics, it’s about creating a seamless, credible, and goal-driven experience that supports your business objectives. Avoiding these common mistakes will help ensure your website performs at its best, both for users and search engines.
At MediaPlus Digital, our Website Design and Development Services combine strategy, design, and technology to build responsive, conversion-optimised websites that deliver measurable business results. Whether you’re launching a new site or improving an existing one, our team is here to help you design a digital experience that drives growth.
Get in touch with us today to learn how we can help you build a website that truly represents your brand.
