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5 Mistakes to Avoid When Designing a Business Website

February 26, 2023

Are you planning to create a website for your business? Congratulations! You’re on your way to establishing a powerful online presence that can help you reach a wider audience and grow your business.

But hold on, before you start designing, it’s crucial to know that not all websites are created equal. In fact, some common design mistakes can make your website difficult to navigate, hard on the eyes, or just plain boring. And the last thing you want is to drive potential customers away from your business!

So, in this post, we’ll be discussing 5 mistakes to avoid when designing a business website. Whether you’re creating your website from scratch or redesigning an existing one, these tips will help you create a website that looks great, functions well, and helps your business grow.

Ready to get started? Let’s dive in!

What Are Some Common Web Design Mistakes to Avoid?

No matter the size of your business, website design is essential to reach and engage with potential customers. However, if not done correctly, it can be detrimental to your success.

Here are 5 web design mistakes to keep in mind while building or revamping your business website.

1. Inefficient Navigation Structure

Having a clear and intuitive navigation structure is critical when it comes to designing a website that your visitors will love. If your website is confusing to navigate, visitors will have a difficult time finding the information they need, which can lead to frustration and high bounce rates.

This is especially important for small businesses that are trying to make a strong first impression with their website. In fact, research has shown that 42% of people have left a website because it was poorly designed or difficult to navigate.

To avoid this, it’s important to plan your website’s navigation structure carefully. A well-designed navigation menu should be simple, intuitive, and easy to use.

Visitors should be able to find what they’re looking for quickly and easily. You can achieve this by organising your content into categories and subcategories, and by using clear and descriptive labels for each link.

Another way to improve navigation is to include a search bar that allows visitors to search for specific content on your website. This can be particularly useful for businesses with a lot of content or a wide range of products or services.

Ultimately, a clear and intuitive navigation structure will make it easier for visitors to engage with your website, find what they’re looking for, and ultimately convert into customers. So, take the time to plan and design your website’s navigation carefully, and you’ll be on your way to creating a website that visitors will love.

2. Ignoring Mobile Responsiveness

Another important aspect of website design that shouldn’t be ignored is mobile responsiveness. In today’s world, where over half of all website traffic comes from mobile devices, having a website that’s optimised for mobile is essential.

In fact, studies have shown that mobile-friendly websites are more likely to rank higher on search engines and have higher conversion rates than non-responsive websites.

For businesses, mobile responsiveness is particularly important because it allows you to reach on-the-go customers. If your website isn’t mobile-friendly, it can be frustrating for visitors to navigate, which can result in a poor user experience and ultimately drive them away from your business.

To make your website mobile-responsive, it’s important to design it with a mobile-first approach. This means designing for the smallest screen size first and then scaling up for larger devices.

You should also ensure that your website loads quickly on mobile devices and that all of the content is easily accessible and readable.

By optimising your website for mobile devices, you can improve the user experience, increase engagement, and ultimately drive more conversions for your business. So, don’t overlook the importance of mobile responsiveness when designing your website.

3. Lacking Search Engine Optimisation

Optimising your website for search engines is crucial if you want to attract organic traffic and increase your online visibility. Without proper search engine optimisation (SEO), your website may not rank well on search engine results pages (SERPs), which can result in low traffic and limited growth for your business.

For small businesses, SEO is particularly important because it can level the playing field with larger competitors by allowing your website to rank higher in search results. By targeting relevant keywords, optimising your content, and building high-quality backlinks, you can improve your website’s search engine ranking and attract more visitors to your site.

To ensure your website is properly optimised for search engines, it’s important to conduct keyword research to identify the words and phrases that your target audience is searching for. Once you have identified these keywords, you should use them strategically in your website’s content, meta tags, and image descriptions.

Additionally, building high-quality backlinks from reputable websites can also improve your website’s search engine ranking. By earning backlinks from relevant, authoritative sources, you can signal to search engines that your website is trustworthy and valuable, which can lead to higher rankings in search results.

By implementing effective SEO strategies, you can improve your website’s visibility on search engines and attract more traffic to your site. So, don’t neglect this important aspect of website design when building your online presence.

4. Using Low-Quality Images and Videos

The images and videos you use on your website are just as important as the content you write. They can be used to grab a visitor’s attention and convey your brand’s message.

However, using low-quality images and videos can have the opposite effect, making your website look unprofessional and unappealing.

For businesses, using high-quality images and videos can be a great way to showcase your products and services and build trust with potential customers. By using clear, high-resolution images and videos, you can give visitors a better sense of what your business is all about, and make a strong first impression.

In fact, studies have shown that website visitors are more likely to engage with high-quality visual content than low-quality content. According to one study, 67% of online shoppers said that high-quality images were more important than product descriptions or reviews when making a purchase decision.

To ensure that the images and videos on your website are of high quality, it’s important to invest in professional photography or videography if possible. If you can’t afford professional services, there are still many free and low-cost resources online that offer high-quality stock photos and videos that can be used on your website.

By using high-quality visual content on your website, you can enhance your brand’s image and create a more engaging user experience for your visitors. So, make sure to use high-quality images and videos in your website design to make the best possible impression on your audience.

5. Excluding Calls-To-Action

Including calls-to-action (CTAs) is a critical part of website design that many businesses neglect. CTAs are designed to guide website visitors towards a specific action, such as filling out a contact form or making a purchase.

By neglecting to incorporate clear and effective CTAs on your website, you may be missing out on valuable opportunities to convert visitors into customers.

For businesses, CTAs can be a powerful tool for driving conversions and increasing revenue. By using clear, attention-grabbing CTAs throughout your website, you can encourage visitors to take action and move further down the sales funnel.

In fact, research has shown that businesses with a strong CTA on their homepage can see a 47% increase in click-through rates. Similarly, including a CTA in an email can increase click-through rates by up to 371%.

When designing your website, it’s important to consider what actions you want your visitors to take and then incorporate relevant CTAs throughout your site. For example, if you want visitors to make a purchase, you could include a “Buy Now” button on your product pages. Or, if you want visitors to contact you for more information, you could include a prominent “Contact Us” button on your homepage.

By incorporating effective CTAs into your website design, you can guide visitors towards the actions you want them to take, ultimately increasing conversions and driving revenue for your business. So, don’t neglect this important aspect of website design when creating your online presence.

Frequently Asked Questions

When designing a business website, there are some decisional factors and key elements to consider. Here are some common questions to ask to ensure it meets your business needs and appeals to potential customers.

Can I design a business website on my own?

Yes, there are many website builders available that make it easy for business owners to create a website without any technical expertise. However, it’s important to keep in mind that designing a website that’s both functional and effective requires a certain level of skill and experience.

Consider hiring a professional web designer if you want to ensure that your website is of high quality and meets the needs of your business.

Want to learn more about web design for businesses? Click here.

How do I choose the right images for my business website?

When selecting images for your website, make sure they are high-quality, relevant, and professional. You can use your own photos or invest in professional photography services, or use stock images that are available online.

However, it’s important to make sure that you have the legal right to use any images that you use on your website to avoid potential legal issues.

What are some effective CTAs for businesses?

Effective CTAs for businesses depend on the specific goals of your website. Some common CTAs include “Call Now,” “Book a Consultation,” “Subscribe,” “Buy Now,” “Download Our Free Guide,” and “Request a Quote.”

It’s important to use clear and specific language in your CTAs to guide visitors towards the action you want them to take.

How do I ensure that my website is optimised for search engines?

There are many ways to optimise your website for search engines, including using relevant keywords, creating high-quality content, and ensuring that your website is mobile-friendly. You can also use tools like Google Analytics and Google Search Console to track your website’s performance and identify areas for improvement.

Consider hiring a local SEO expert if you want to ensure that your website is optimised for search engines.

Want to learn more about SEO for businesses? Click here.

Bottom Line

Designing a website for your business is a complex process that requires careful planning, attention to detail, and a focus on user experience. By avoiding the common mistakes we’ve discussed in this article, you can ensure that your website is effective, functional, and aligned with your business goals.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the website design process or simply want to ensure that your website is of the highest quality, consider reaching out to a professional web design agency. At Novo Digital Agency, our team of experienced designers and developers can create a custom website that’s tailored to your business needs and goals.

With a focus on user experience, search engine, and conversion rate optimisation, we can help you create a website that drives traffic, generates leads, and increases revenue. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help your business succeed online!

Want to grow your business faster?

Novo Digital Agency delivers customised, results-driven web design and SEO solutions for businesses of all sizes across Australia.

Ready to take your business to the next level?

At Novo Digital Agency, our talented web designers and SEO experts are here to meet all your business website needs.

Complete the attached contact form or call us at 0421 798 894 to learn more about how we can help grow your business.