Don’t Make These 5 Design Mistakes With Your Website
When building a custom website there are many things to consider—design, color, style etc. It can be a bit overwhelming to figure out what makes a great looking website and what doesn’t. I’m going to tell you 5 design mistakes to avoid when designing a new website.
1. Don’t Cram Everything Together
It can be tempting to add many elements to a web page because we want to include enough information, to show proof with images and seem relevant. This mistake can hurt your design. A web page needs space to breathe. Your visitors should be able to move about your webpage without confusion.
The experience on the webpage should feel effortless, almost like a conversation with the site itself, where the user is guided gently toward their goals—whether that’s finding information, making a purchase, or simply enjoying the content. There's a sense of peace, balance, and order that leaves a lasting impression, making the visitor want to return.
2. Don’t Use Too Many Fonts
Having too many fonts on a webpage is like trying to have a conversation with too many people speaking at once—it's distracting, chaotic, and hard to focus on what's important. I like using two fonts on a website, one for headings and one for paragraphs.
Font choice is also important. You don’t want conflicting fonts. The goal is to have harmony. Choose two fonts that mesh well. Fonts can change the whole vibe of a website. When you think of a florist’s website you imagine a softer feel. They may opt for a script font rather than a bold san serif font that would be more suitable for an outdoor adventure store. The right font choices help reinforce the tone and personality of the site, supporting the overall design without overwhelming it.
“Fonts are like shoes; they have to fit the occasion and support the message you want to convey.”
3. Don’t Settle for OKAY Images
A website represents you (or your client). It’s the face they are greeted with in this digital world. Having professional photos are a big part of having a website look polished and credible. They help convey your message more effectively, create emotional connections with visitors, and establish a positive first impression that encourages visitors to stay longer and return.
Sure you can achieve this with your cell phone of course by watching a few youtube videos. But poor or generic images, can make your site look unprofessional and detract from your message, potentially causing visitors to leave quickly. Professional images are key to creating a strong, lasting impression and effectively communicating your brand’s value.
4. Don’t Overuse Animations
There are many animations available to use when you build a website. Using too many on a page is not a good idea. It can slow down the page load time affecting your websites performance, especially on mobile devices. When used excessively, animations can create visual noise, making it harder for users to focus on what’s important.
The key is balance—animations should enhance the user experience, guide interactions, or add subtle delight, but not overshadow the purpose of the page or disrupt its flow. To read more about page speed for your website click here.
5. Don’t Forget to Make Your Site Responsive
Making a website responsive is essential for providing a smooth user experience on all devices. With more people browsing the web on mobile devices, a responsive design adapts the layout, images, and content to fit different screen sizes, making the site easy to navigate and read. This leads to better user satisfaction, higher engagement, and greater accessibility. Additionally, search engines like Google prioritize mobile-friendly websites, so responsive design can also improve your site's visibility and search rankings.
Following basic design principles ensures a visually appealing and user-friendly website that engages visitors and enhances their experience. It’s all about harmony.
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