Don’t make these web design mistakes!
Let’s talk about web design mistakes. Everyone’s always talking about what to do, but we think it’s just as valuable to talk about what to avoid. There are a lot of ways that a website redesign can go wrong, so we want to do our best to steer you in the right direction.
It’s all about the user
We’ve all been to websites both old and new that have made us scratch our heads. We might not know how to find the menu, how to contact the company when that’s all we want to do, or even know what the company does! Trends can be fun and attractive, but they’re never worth confusing your customers. Now that’s a big mistake. And it takes us right into our first mistake to avoid.
1: Your website doesn’t tell the user what you do or why you’re the best option
There is very little time in which you can make that great first impression on a user. Apparently, users will form their opinion within .05 seconds after your page loads! Within that time, they should get a great understanding of what your company does. We don’t mean this in a “corporate speak” kind of way like saying “we facilitate progress” or “our company will help you improve your future.” In what way will that happen? What do you actually DO?
Are you a landscaper? Do you help people find a new job? Whatever it is that your company does is what you have to say. Right away. At the top of your home page. Then, follow it up with why you’re qualified, what you do that’s unique and special, and how you’re the best one for the job.
2: Your website is not responsive
Second, we need to talk about mobile responsiveness. If you’re not preparing your website for all audiences, especially those using a mobile phone, you’re making a mistake. This is a common mistake, but a big one. A huge percentage of the population now browses for businesses using their phones. If they land on your site—no matter how beautiful—and it’s not responsive, they’re likely to move on.
3: Your website takes forever to load
Similar to the point above, if your customers land on your site and it’s not working for them as quickly as they’d like, they’ll probably continue their search elsewhere. Most people expect pages to load in two seconds or less.
4: Your website doesn’t use headings
If a prospective customer lands on your site, they probably aren’t ready to sit down with a coffee and read every paragraph of your entire website. They’re on a mission. They’re searching for something specific. The best way for them to find out quickly whether or not your company is what they need is by reading your headings. Make sure you divide your content into digestible chunks and label them accordingly. It’s more than likely this is all some people will read on your site!
5: Your contact information is hidden or hard to find
Some people may be happy enough to read through your site until they find what they need. Some people, though, would rather get you on the phone and talk. The good news is that when you can speak to your customers directly, you have a chance to make your brand look even better by doing your very best to solve their problem. The bad news is that you may miss out on this opportunity altogether because they can’t find your number or social media links! Make sure you present the relevant contact info in a place that is easy to find; usually either on a Contact page or in the footer.
Fix your mistakes
It’s never too late to make something right. These issues on your website may have lost you a bit of business in the past, but why continue to live that way? The best time to fix your website mistakes is now, so get to it!
