The world of website design for the average non-website designer can feel like an uphill trek; every solopreneur, at some point, has stumbled upon a few road blocks that end up turning into mistakes along the way.
Let’s take unpack some of these common mistakes, and explore how you can avoid them to make your website a place your audience actually enjoys browsing around.
Mistake 1: Using multiple typography styles makes your website look more attractive.
You might think that an eclectic mix of font styles adds an creative touch to your website, but it can actually clutter the page, causing confusion for your visitors.
Too many fonts spoil the readability, so it’s best to limit your font choices to just two or three complementary fonts.
One each for for headers, one for sub-headers, and one for body text. This simplicity will enhance readability and create a cohesive visual identity for your website. Plus it’s easier to manage.
Mistake 2: Any Website Layout Works as Long as you Personally Like it.
Your website is not just a reflection of your taste; it should prioritize user experience. A layout that seems sophisticated to you might be confusing for your visitors.
A clean, logical layout with an intuitive navigation menu will guide your visitors through your content and increase their engagement, making them more likely to return.
Mistake 3: Disregarding your Ideal Customer when Designing your Website.
Another crucial point to consider is your ideal customer. While a dark and edgy theme might appeal to you, it might be jarring for a meditation website visitor looking for tranquility.
Put yourself in your visitors’ shoes and design your website to create an atmosphere that resonates with their expectations.
Mistake 4: Overloading your Website with Visual Elements to Prevent it from Being “boring”.
When it comes to visuals, remember, less is often more. A website packed with animations, banners, and images can end up detracting from your main message.
An uncluttered , simplified design, supported by a few well-chosen, high-quality images, can be both engaging and visually appealing.
Simple doesn’t have to mean boring.
Mistake 5: Neglecting Visual Contrast for your Call to Actions (CTAs).
Your Call to Actions (CTAs) should be the spotlight of your website. If they blend into the background, they are likely to be overlooked.
Choose a contrasting colour for your CTA buttons to ensure they catch the viewer’s eye, without compromising your overall colour scheme.
Use this colour ONLY for your CTA buttons so they stand out.
Mistake 6: Inappropriate Colour Choice for Your Brand and Audience.
Speaking of colours, choosing the right ones is crucial. Colour psychology plays a huge role in setting the right tone for your audience.
- a vegan recipe webssite for new moms would benefit more from warm, earthy tones than cold, metallic ones
- an online organic food store might want to consider fresh, appetizing colours that communicate health and vibrancy
- a website for professional copywriting services would benefit from clean colours that doesn’t compete with the copy on the page instead of vibrant colours that makes the website feel like a circus (unless you’re a copywriter for the circus industry)
Mistake 7: Overusing Generic Stock Photos
While stock photos can be time-savers, overusing them can make your brand appear impersonal.
Unique, high-quality images that accurately represent your brand can help establish a genuine connection with your audience.
You can also use AI image generators such as Midjourney to create images based on what you’re looking for.
Mistake 8: Neglecting Mobile Users with Non-Responsive Design
Let’s not forget the growing number of mobile users. In our smartphone era, not having a mobile-responsive website could cost you a significant chunk of your potential audience.
Make sure your website design automatically adjusts to fit any screen size for a seamless user experience.
Mistake 9: Overlooking the Needs of Visually Impaired Users
Finally, let’s touch upon accessibility for visually impaired users. An inclusive website design considers the needs of all visitors, creating a space where everyone feels welcomed and catered to.
Features like improved colour contrast, resizable text, and alternative text for images can make your website accessible to a broader audience, enhancing your brand’s reputation as a caring business.
An important note, check with your country and province/state accessibility laws to see what you are required to have in place.
Wrapping it up
Every mistake is a learning opportunity in the journey of website designing. The goal isn’t perfection, but creating a site that connects with your ideal customer and reflects your brand authentically.
Consider your ideal customer at all times, create an easy-to-navigate layout, and choose your typography and visual elements thoughtfully. And remember, user experience should always be your top priority!
If you’d like some help finding out what improvements can be done on your website, book a consultation session (link will open in a new browser tab) at a time that’s convenient for you.
Until next time, stay inspired.
Gisèle
0 Comments