Biggest Website Design and Functionality Mistakes to Avoid

By being aware of common pitfalls, web designers can steer clear of mistakes and deliver exceptional experiences.

A website riddled with design flaws and functionality errors reflects poorly on brands and hampers visitor experience. While launching a site, overlooking key aspects in haste leads to problems down the line. By being aware of common pitfalls, web designers can steer clear of mistakes and deliver exceptional experiences.

Cluttered Layouts

Web designers should thoughtfully organize page elements using white space, clean grids and visual hierarchy. Cluttered pages overwhelm users by burying crucial information and calls-to-action. Tidiness helps guide visitors.

Broken Links

While links seem minor, broken ones ruin user journeys. Web designers must rigorously test all website links to ensure they direct users to active pages with relevant content. This avoids frustrating dead ends.

Ignoring Accessibility

Accessible sites with color contrast, ALT text, headings etc. allow those using assistive technologies to better navigate and use websites. Web designers must make inclusivity a priority, not an afterthought.

Painfully Slow Page Speeds

Web designers know optimizing site speed is vital for engagement. Images, scripts and plugins can slow things down. Using compression, efficient code, caching and CDNs accelerates performance.

Neglecting Metadata

Title tags, meta descriptions and alt text are critical for visibility and search engine optimization. Web designers need to strategically optimize metadata to make pages discoverable across channels.

Weak Calls-to-Action

Clear, concise calls-to-action guide visitors to convert. Web designers must prominently place highly scannable, action-driven buttons and links that stand out through shape, size and color.

No Mobile Optimization

With growing mobile usage, web designers must make sites responsive using fluid grids, flexible images, relative units and media queries. Optimizing for small screens is crucial.

Ignoring User Testing

A website designer should get usability feedback from real representative users throughout development, not just at the end. Early user testing surfaces pain points to enhance experience.

Security Flaws

Web designers avoid vulnerabilities by keeping software updated, using encryption, monitoring traffic, enabling firewalls etc. Security should be built into website DNA, not an afterthought.

Lack of Site Search

For content-heavy sites, web designers must incorporate intuitive internal search functionality. Forcing users to endlessly scroll frustrates them. Enable easy content discovery.

By sidestepping common website mistakes that harm usability and conversion goals, web designers can fulfill user and business needs. Careful planning, diligent testing and keeping best practices in mind leads to positive outcomes.