In the world of website design, even the smallest flaws can amount to big problems. Website design is daunting, and it’s better to be aware of possible mistakes before leaping headfirst into a project. Read about these common design mistakes so you can avoid making them yourself.
1. Failing to consider accessibility
If a website can’t be used by everyone, how good can it possibly be? No amount of unique design features or fun quirks can make up for a website’s lack of accessibility. Put simply, accessibility means making a space as inclusive as possible. Strong website design takes people with disabilities into account, ensuring that they can use a site as seamlessly as anyone else.
Several factors define accessibility, many of them are easy to forget if they aren’t actively prioritized. For instance, people with motor-related disabilities may be unable to operate a mouse. This means that accessible websites can be navigated by using only a keyboard, a fact not all designers keep in mind.
Color choices can also be a barrier to accessibility, as insufficient contrast between text and background makes it difficult for visually impaired people to read words on a screen. Web Content Accessibility Guidelines suggest a 4.5:1 ratio for text color and background color. This is because low contrast can cause eye strain for colorblind or otherwise visually impaired individuals. By putting in the effort to maintain accessibility throughout your website, you’ll demonstrate care and consideration for your audience.
2. Not accommodating mobile users
A large portion of Internet browsing is done via a mobile device. Tablets and smartphones allow for quick, convenient Internet access, and many people turn to these gadgets to seek important information. For some website designers, though, mobile platforms are still a huge blind spot. If a significant portion of your users are browsing from a mobile device, it stands to reason that a mobile-first design strategy is needed. When website designers don’t take mobile users into consideration, the consequences are evident in their design choices.
If even one page isn’t designed to adjust to mobile devices, cracks can be revealed in the armor of otherwise excellent websites. Poor response times, confusing navigation, and odd sizing are some of the problems commonly seen when websites don’t adapt to smaller screens. If you want to benefit from the enormous amount of traffic that comes from mobile browsing, modify your website so that it functions just as well on a phone as it does on a laptop.
3. Not including a clear call to action
When designing a business website, it’s imperative to remember who you’re addressing: consumers and potential consumers. The aim of your website is to captivate the audience and compel them to take action. You might want them to purchase something, donate to a cause, or contact you, depending on the specifics of your business. To drive website visitors to do as you’d like them to, it’s important that your design includes various calls to action.
A call to action, or CTA, is a marketing tactic wherein consumers are prompted to do something. When a webpage concludes with a suggestion like “join our mailing list” or “subscribe now”, this is a call to action being implemented. These labels are typically buttons that lead to pages with more information.
If your website doesn’t have calls to action, you’re missing out on a chance to speak directly to your audience. Without a call to action, web pages can feel lukewarm and unsure. Calls to action demonstrate that you’re proud of what your business does and that audiences should get involved immediately.
4. Slow load times
We’ve all experienced the frustration of trying to access a painfully slow website. In today’s fast-paced world, slow load times can easily drive away visitors who would otherwise use your site. People simply don’t have time in their busy schedules to sit around and wait for a page to load. That’s why, if you want to retain site visitors, it’s important to perfect your website’s processing time. Ideally, pages should load in a matter of seconds so visitors don’t grow impatient and exit. Increasing load time speeds can sometimes be accomplished by reducing cookie sizes or making adjustments to images. A ten-second load time may not seem like much, but these extra seconds add up and can create exasperation among website users.
5. A bland, un-engaging appearance
When a website is dull, users don’t get excited about the company it’s advertising. Visual branding is accomplished through logos, color schemes, and website layouts, and each of these elements is crucial when making sure a website is memorable. If your website simply blends in with the competition, you're not demonstrating why your business is a worthy adversary against similar companies.
A good website’s appearance has personality and represents the vibe the business is trying to cultivate. Whether a company wants to be viewed as fun, dependable, or bold, a well-designed website should reflect these qualities.
Why care about website design?
A website is a lens into everything a company has to offer. So, if you want to give your business a great reputation, strong website design is a great place to start. A website serves as a helpful source for new and old customers alike, so it should have the same high-quality as every other facet of a company. Consider aesthetic appeal, accessibility, and user-friendliness before diving headfirst into web design.
