It only takes a few seconds for a visitor to decide whether your website is worthy of staying and exploring. It goes to show that web design is crucial to the success of your business. Despite this, many owners are making mistakes on their websites. Fortunately, there are ways to fix these problems so you can make the most of your website.
The following are common web design mistakes that you should avoid doing:
Improper Use of White Space
Using white space properly gives you a cleaner and more professional interface. It allows the elements on your website to breathe, making them easy on the eyes. This helps users absorb and understand your content easily. White space is essential because it:
- Helps create a sense of focus
- Organizes page content in a more appealing way
- Increases readability
- Enhances text legibility for screen readers
- Gives an impression of professionalism and luxury
While white space is typically white, it is possible to use another gradient or colour. It can also come with some images or illustrations. The purpose is to place the elements of a web page strategically. Moreover, white space can help prompt the users to scroll further down your page and check out other elements on your site.
Call-to-Action Mistakes
One of the most common issues with web design is a misplaced call-to-action. Ideally, you make and use the right CTAs if you want to increase your sales. Follow these suggestions in proper CTA placement:
- Your button should be noticeable. CTAs exist so that visitors will take action while on your site. With that, figure out what text and colour stand out and compel people to click.
- Urge visitors to click your CTA button by using emotional appeal. When you appeal to their emotions, it establishes likability and authority; thus, causing higher conversions.
- Opt for contrasting backgrounds. People do not see your CTA maybe because of the imposing backgrounds. In order to have a clear view of your CTA button, the background, graphics, and text should have contrast.
Bothersome Ads
Many website owners are doing this mistake but covering the page with ads will only annoy users; having said that, ads are helpful if you want your site to make money. However there is no need to suffocate users with lots of ads and pop ups. Using ads is risky because they can disrupt the user experience.
Here are some tips to consider:
- One surefire way to make visitors leave your site is to subject them with obtrusive ads, as they are unable to see what they are looking for in your site. Also, these annoying ads can hurt your search engine optimization.
- People go to your site to look for a solution to their problem. They do not want to see advertisements the moment they arrive on your page.
- You may use a time-triggered pop-up if you really need to place some ads. the pop-up would appear for a second and disappear immediately if a visitor has been on your page for 10 seconds.
- Make sure to have a visible and recognizable close button on those pop-up ads. Users do not want microscopic buttons, making it extremely difficult to close the ads.
Content Overload
There is so much content and information on the internet today that people are tired of reading. They want to find answers and solutions to their questions and problems in the shortest time possible.
The following are ways to prevent information overload:
- Get rid of nonessential steps because you may be wasting the time of your visitors. Whether it is your product usage guide, sign-up process, etc., make sure to get to the point.
- Avoid using unfamiliar words, but rather use easy and self-explanatory ones.
- People tend to skim. Therefore, use small paragraphs and bullet points on your web design that are easily scannable.
- Personalize communication by understanding the search intent of your audience. Analyze user behaviour and direct people to the categories based on their individual choices.
- Keep a balanced mix of images, text, and other elements. This means you need to diversify your content.
- Collapsible menus are an effective way of reducing the clutter. With this, use drop-down menus to conceal extra content until it is necessary for a user.
Too little Content
Google typically view those websites with missing content or thin content as little or no value. In spite of that, many owners are still unaware of this mistake in their web design. Fixing issues regarding too little content primarily includes adding high-quality content on your website.
Considering you know your target market well enough, you know what pieces of information are necessary and what is not. Use words that are not too short or too descriptive. Be informative but it is important to maintain balance. What your customers want from you is to tell them how your website and business can do for them.
When it comes to quality, rely more on content with fresh, unique, and relevant information. Include survey results, study findings, expert opinions, and facts. This helps gain the trust of your users as well as build your authority.
Produce purposeful content that contributes to valuable content creation and solves a problem. Add links to resources and back your claims with supporting details.
Additional points:
- Create tiered content styles to align and organize your pieces. Having a blog post is great, but it is better to support it with relevant subtopics.
- Personalize communication for multiple purposes. It means a boost in site visits, an increase in brand reputation, and higher customer satisfaction.
- Keep up with the changes in the industry changes and algorithm updates. You may revisit old web pages to make the necessary changes.
- Be up-to-date with data changes in real-time for new content ideas and action points.
- Find out what your audience wants by following social media trends. Create content by providing solutions to their problems in mind.
You can avoid these common web design mistakes if you put more effort into your design and understand more about user behaviour. Make sure users will benefit when visiting your site.