8 Web Design Mistakes & How to Fix Them

Designing and maintaining a website can be a tough act to juggle – especially if you’re a business owner or have limited resources. However, a fully functionally UX designed website is also crucial if you want to have a successful online presence that can maximises the opportunity for customer enquiries. To help out, we’ve created a list of 8 poor web design elements that you can easily fix, no matter how busy you are. Here we go…

1. Bad Navigation

Confusing or limited navigation can be very off-putting to visitors and potential customers, leaving them with a bad UX (user experience). In 2020, if your website is too difficult to navigate your visitors will leave – plain and simple! Web users have easy access to your competitors, so don’t pass them over before they even have a chance to see what your business has to offer.

• Keep navigation logical, intuitive and easy to understand
• Try grouping elements in a central area so no important pages or information is missed by visitors

2. Too Many Ads

Don’t get us wrong, ads can be a great way to network with other businesses and earn some extra cash by using your site as valuable real estate. However, too many ads can deter visitors from your actual content and the offer you are trying to present. Plus, too many ads can dilute your credibility as a repeatable business. I think we’ve all been on websites like this and left! Don't overcrowd or drown out your own content as this will decrease the UX and lower your potential profit from real long-term customers

3. Poor Content Structure

That’s a staggering statistic that could be easily avoided. Remember, what might seem simple for you may not be simple to your target market or to somebody who has never been onto your website before.

Up to 50% of sales are lost because people can't find what they're looking for

Always structure similar content in the one place so that users can easily move around your site, finding what's relevant and lead to a heightened UX Ease of navigation will go a long way into people spending longer on your website, increasing engagement and likelihood of purchase or enquiries

4. Obtrusive Use of Video & Audio Content

We’ve all visited a website where a video starts playing the instant we arrive, scaring us half to death. Playing video or audio like this upon visitor arrival can be unnecessary or even off-putting. We recommend that you test the use of automated video or audio before assuming that is what your website visitors want.

• When it comes to video or audio content on a website - always give users the option of viewing or listening to the content themselves. This will make them feel more positively towards your business.
• Test the use of audio or video to see how your users are reacting, rather than just using your ‘gut-feel’.

5. Regular Requests

Websites that are ‘too pushy’ can leave a bad impression on their visitors. Instances of this might be annoying pop-ups, virtual chat options or unwanted requests for personal information. While these can be great ways to communicate with your audience, how they are used is key!

• Avoid putting up barriers and blockages between you and your visitors. Instead, perhaps offer a free trial or demonstration which gives them an incentive to abide by your request.
• Wait until a visitor has reached a certain page or section of the page to strategically target them and their needs

6. Boring Content & Design

Content is great, but not if it’s irrelevant, long winded and dull. You only have about 5 seconds to make an impression to website visitors so make the most of it!

• Opt for engaging content that will bring visitors back to your site. A great way to do this is to start a blog that assists people with information about your industry.
• Less is always more when it comes to design, so make sure your website is simple and concise but also provides visitors with the information they are looking upon arrival.

7. Poor Legibility

Any business who wants to use their website as a hub to generate more business (this should be ALL businesses), need to make sure that all users can easily read the content on their website.

You might have the greatest offering in the world but if you can’t engage with people, because they can’t read the font, or the colour of the font makes it un-readable, then it’s a waste of your time and effort.

Legibility means everything from being able to recognise individual characters within the text through colour choices and typography. These sometimes overlooked elements can really make a big difference in a user’s experience so it is important to get them right.

• Test your website on a group of un-biased visitors and collect feedback as to how effective or not effective your website's text really is
• If you're not an expert on design and don't have the funds for a professional web designer, then sites like dribbble.com are great for some inspiration that will take your website to the next level

8. Stale Site Syndrome

You might have the best website in the world, but if you don’t give visitors a reason to come back and discover fresh, new content, then you will suffer from stale site syndrome and most likely see a decrease in your web visitors.

• Blogs and other content such as webinars are a great way to constantly add new, unique content to your site that engages readers and gives them a reason to return
• Updating your website regularly will also boost your search engine optimisation (SEO), as Google loves fresh, relevant and new content - so get typing!