3 Biggest Web Design Mistakes
- Maciej Konarzewski
- May 27
- 7 min read
Are You Losing Customers Without Even Realising It?
Imagine walking into a shop where the shelves are messy and you can’t find the checkout. You’d probably leave, right?
Now ask yourself:
"Is my website giving visitors the same experience?"
Many business websites start strong but quietly drift out of date. Maybe it’s not mobile-friendly. Maybe it’s missing clear next steps.
Maybe it no longer reflects who you are or what you do best. Unfortunately, these aren’t just design issues, they’re conversion killers. Websites are often built once, then forgotten.
But while you're busy running your business, your site might be quietly turning people away.
In this article, we’ll discuss the three biggest, most common, and easily fixable mistakes that could cost you valuable customers. If you’re ready to stop leaving money on the table, let’s take a closer look.
3 Biggest Web Design Mistakes. Article Outline:
Biggest Web Design Mistake No. 1:
Your Website Isn’t Mobile-Friendly.
Like you, everyone browses on the go. Whether on a train, waiting in a queue, or lounging on the sofa, we use our phones to search, scroll, and shop.
One of the biggest web design mistakes is having a website that doesn’t look good or function properly on a mobile screen, and if that’s the case, it’s likely to turn visitors away within seconds.
Why Mobile-Friendliness Matters?
Imagine you’re searching for a local service on your phone. You click a link and land on a site that loads slowly, where the text is tiny, the buttons overlap, and you have to scroll sideways to find anything. It’s frustrating, and chances are, you’ll abandon the site quickly.
That is the reality, backed by the facts:
As of 2024, mobile devices account for over 60% of global website traffic [1].
Users are unlikely to return to a site they had trouble accessing on mobile, and most of them will visit a competitor’s site instead (Google, Think with Google).
In 2018, Google rolled out mobile-first indexing, meaning it primarily uses the mobile version of a site for ranking and indexing. If your site isn’t mobile-optimised, it may rank lower in search results, limiting your visibility altogether (Google Search Central).
A website that’s difficult to use on a phone damages both your SEO and your brand perception.
Signs Your Site Isn’t Mobile-Friendly
Small, hard-to-read text
Images don’t scale properly
Buttons are too close together
Menus are clunky or don’t function
Pages load slowly or not at all on 3G/4G connections
How to Fix Mobile Responsiveness Issues? Implement Mobile Design Best Practices.
If your site isn’t already responsive, now’s the time to act. Here’s how to improve your mobile performance:
Use Google’s Mobile-Friendly Test to diagnose usability issues.
Optimise fonts, buttons, and forms for touch-screen navigation.
Choose a responsive web design that automatically adapts to all screen sizes.
Ensure navigation menus are simple, accessible, and intuitive on smaller screens.
Compress images and use efficient coding practices to improve page load speed, a major mobile ranking factor.
Biggest Web Design Mistake No. 2:
Lack of Clear Direction.
You’ve managed to get someone onto your website. That’s a win. But what happens next? If your site doesn’t clearly guide visitors toward the next step, chances are, they’ll leave without taking any action at all.
This is where many business websites fall short. One of the biggest web design mistakes you can make is assuming people will instinctively know what to do. They won’t. Attention spans online are short, and users typically skim rather than read in detail. If they land on a page and don’t see an obvious path to follow, whether it's to book a service, make a purchase, or simply learn more, they’ll exit and go elsewhere.
At the heart of this issue is a lack of strong, visible, and compelling calls-to-action, often abbreviated as CTAs. These are the prompts that tell your visitors what you want them to do next. Think of them as signposts that keep people moving through your website journey. Without them, your site becomes a dead-end rather than a gateway to conversion.
Many websites either don’t include CTAs or make these common mistakes:
Vague wording
CTAs like “Click here” or “Submit” don’t tell the user what to expect or why it matters. Be specific and action-oriented.
Poor visibility
If your CTA blends into the design, it’ll be missed. It should stand out clearly through colour, size, or placement.
Too many competing actions
Multiple CTAs on the same page can overwhelm visitors. Focus on one primary action per page.
Lack of strategic placement
Your main CTA should appear near the top of the page (above the fold) and again at key moments (e.g., after explaining benefits, sharing testimonials, or outlining features).
Overly complicated forms
Long or intrusive forms put people off. Keep them short and simple, especially for first-time users.
Time is precious. Nobody wants to waste it, so the call to action should be easy to find, easy to understand, and closely aligned with what the visitor is looking for. If you’re a service provider, your CTA might be “Book a Free Consultation” or “Get a Quick Quote.” If you sell products, it could be “Shop Now” or “Explore Our Bestsellers.” Whatever it is, it should match the intent of the page and provide a great user experience.
Every page on your website should aim to guide the visitor towards one clear, specific action. That action needs to vary depending on your business and the stage of the customer journey they’re in, but what matters most is that you lead them there rather than leaving them to figure it out for themselves.
Now, take a look at your own site. Ask yourself: What do I want someone to do when they land here? Is that obvious within the first few seconds? If not, it’s time to rethink your calls-to-action, because even with great content and design, a lack of direction can quietly cost you leads, enquiries, and sales.
Biggest Web Design Mistake No. 3:
Your Website No Longer Reflects Who You Are.
Ok, your business has grown, evolved, and perhaps changed direction more than once. That’s completely normal. But has your website kept up?
One of the biggest web design mistakes many business owners make is treating their website as a one-time project rather than a living, evolving representation of their brand. A site that once perfectly captured your purpose and personality may now feel outdated, out of sync, or even misleading.
Think about the messaging on your homepage. Does it reflect the kind of work you’re doing today? The services or products you currently offer? The clients you’re trying to attract? If the answer is “not quite,” then it’s probably time for a refresh.
You might be offering new services, targeting a different audience, or using a completely different tone of voice, but if none of that is reflected online, you're likely confusing or losing potential customers.
Here is a short list of some clear signs that your website no longer represents your business accurately:
Outdated content
Old blog posts, discontinued services, and irrelevant testimonials all create a sense of neglect.
Inconsistent branding
Your colours, fonts, logo, and imagery no longer match your current look and feel.
Unclear messaging
Visitors can't tell straightaway when they land on your website what you do, who you help, or why they should choose you.
Old photos or team bios
If your staff or team structure has changed, outdated images and bios may send the wrong message.
New goals, same site
Maybe you're now focused on lead generation, but your site reads like a static brochure.
Yes, we gather that you might think that the technical side of your website still works fine, but that is not everything.
People buy from businesses they trust, and trust is built through authenticity and alignment. When your online presence mirrors who you are and what you stand for today, you’re more likely to attract the right clients, build deeper connections, and grow your reputation.
If it’s been over a couple of years since you’ve reviewed your site, now is a great time to revisit. Does it speak in your voice? Does it support your goals? And most importantly, does it reflect the version of your business you're proud of right now?
Conclusion
Avoiding the 3 Biggest Web Design Mistakes = Winning More Customers
Always think of your website as one of your business’s strongest assets, not a silent liability.
When it’s mobile-friendly, clear in its calls-to-action, and aligned with your current business, it attracts, informs, and converts customers. But when any of those elements fall short, it can quietly turn people away, and they might never come back.
The three biggest web design mistakes described above are fixable, and fixing them will boost your credibility, visibility, and bottom line.
So take the time to review your site. Make those tweaks. And remember, great web design isn’t just about looking good. It’s about guiding, helping, and converting your customers.
Do You Need a Hand Fixing Web Design Issues?
At Vision Marketing, we specialise in creating websites that not only look great but are also built to grow your business. Whether you need a quick review or a full redesign, we’re here to help. Get in touch with us today to find out how we can bring your website and brand up to speed.
FAQs
Q1. What does it mean for a website to be “mobile-friendly”?
A mobile-friendly website automatically adjusts to fit smaller screens like phones or tablets. It ensures fonts are readable, buttons are easy to tap, and pages load properly, giving users a smooth experience on any device.
Q2. What’s the most important call-to-action to have on a website?
That depends on your business goals, but typically your homepage should include a strong, primary CTA like “Book a Call,” “Get a Quote,” or “Start Your Free Trial.” Make it clear, visible, and benefit-driven.
Q3. How often should I update my website content?
At a minimum, aim to review and refresh your content every 6–12 months. If you launch new services, change your branding, or shift your target audience, update your site straight away to reflect those changes.
Q4. Do I need a web designer to fix these mistakes?
If you want your website to look polished, function smoothly across all devices, and reflect your brand voice, a professional web designer is well worth the investment. They’ll not only fix visible issues but also address the deeper technical and user experience challenges that often go unnoticed.
Q5. Can fixing three core web design mistakes really improve sales?
A user-friendly, up-to-date, and conversion-focused website helps build trust, keeps visitors engaged, and leads them to take action. In other words, it turns more browsers into buyers.
Trusted Sources:
[1] Statista
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