Business owners know the importance of having a web presence to connect with their consumer base. But because websites are ubiquitous, some business owners might think they can design one themselves.
People inexperienced with the web design process are likely to make a lot of mistakes on their first try, making their website ineffective before it even launches. Here are some of the most common mistakes inexperienced businesses make:
Common Mistakes in the Web Design Process
The Site is Disorganized
While it is important that a website is informative, it’s more important that the information is presented in an appealing way. Too many first-time web designers make the mistake of overloading pages with content.
A website should be organized in a clean, concise way. Information should be spread out in sections and easy to maneuver. However, you should be wary of having too many pages.
Your site should be edited for redundant or unnecessary information so you are able to add more relevant points. You should also make sure your layout isn’t too scattered across the page, and that your pages are easy to read.
The problem with having a disorganized website is that you miss out on the opportunity to sell your products or services. If it’s difficult for potential customers to learn more about your company, they’re going to stop trying very quickly.
Bad Content and Images
To have a high-quality website, your content and images need to be substantive. Although you might think that content stuffed with keywords can help your search rankings, good content has much more power over search engines and consumers.
It also doesn’t matter how frequently you post if your content is not well-written. Judging your content starts with putting yourself in your customers’ shoes. Think about your most recent post. Would you want to read it?
Is it even readable? Does it provide any useful information for your customers? If you cannot answer yes to any of these questions, then it’s time to revise your strategy.
Furthermore, the quality of your images is hugely important to visitors of your website. If you must use stock photos, consult a paid service that can give you access to more distinct, high-quality photos.
Ideally, the images on your website will be photos that you’ve taken yourself. This is the best way to build a brand that is unique and professional.
No Method of Contact
The point of putting work into a website is to eventually increase your sales and profits. If a potential customer likes what they see on your website, they need to have a way to contact you in order to become a concrete lead.
Too many first-time web designers will forget to add a detail as simple as contact information. You should include contact info at the top or bottom of your homepage.
You should also consider adding it at the bottom of your blog posts or on a separate web page. This makes it easy for people to contact you should they have any questions or comments.
The more you engage with potential customers this way, the more sales you will be able to make.
Not Optimized for Mobile
It is very common for people to surf the internet on their phones. In fact, 2016 marked the first year that more people browsed the web on mobile than on a desktop.
If your website is not optimized for mobile devices, you could be missing out on sales.
Having a desktop-only view website means that your site might be difficult to navigate on mobile phones. If someone wants to learn more about your company, it will be difficult for them to do so.
You cannot trust that these people will revisit your website on a laptop or desktop. Not having a mobile website is also very unprofessional, and a sign that your company is technologically underdeveloped.
Protect your image, and don’t cut yourself out of a key demographic.
Not Following SEO Guidelines
SEO guidelines exist to help your business stand up to the competition. The online marketplace is an equal playing field because everyone has to adhere to the same rules.
This means that even if your company is just starting out, you have the opportunity to work your way up to the top of the rankings with SEO.
Make sure you include H1 tags on all of your pages and make sure your copy has an adequate amount of keywords without sacrificing readability. You should also build linking relationships with credible websites through your content.
Following SEO tips down to the smallest detail gives you the best chance at rising above the rest of the pack.
Ignores User Experience
The biggest mistake businesses make during the web design process is forgetting that their website is there to serve their consumers. An optimal user experience is a key to turning visitors into customers.
It’s crucial that user experience informs every aspect of the web design process so you can make sure your website will appeal to your consumer base.
Is your website design easy on the eyes? Can you get to the most important information in a minimal amount of clicks? Is your content resourceful enough to get shared on social media?
You should also make sure that your website loads quickly. Keep an eye out for bugs and technical issues that prevent people from perusing your website.
Users should drive your strategy. Without this perspective, your website will not resonate with your consumers.
Avoiding These Mistakes
It’s very difficult to not make mistakes if you have never undertaken the web design process before. That’s why it’s always better to hire a professional.
A professional web designer knows the right tricks and techniques to make your website stand out while serving its purpose as a tool for information. Mistakes made when designing a website yourself may set you back months.
For more information on hiring a professional for the web design process, please contact us!
