5 Common Website Design Mistakes to Avoid
Since website design has evolved and we’re now able to incorporate many features into our sites, such as videos and parallax scrolling, the web has seen many websites step up their games. There are also a lot of poor design choices out there that alienate viewers. From unresponsive design to weak content to poor image choices, we’re going to discuss 5 common website design mistakes to avoid.
Make sure to use Responsive Website Design
Back in the day web designers would create a website design that looks good on your desktop computer and a separate design for mobile devices. This is now obsolete. Now designers are making the desktop website responsive, meaning it shrinks down and changes depending on whether the viewer is looking at your site from their computer, tablet or mobile phone.
This is especially important because more than 50 percent of Google searches come from mobile devices. If your site isn’t responsive, you could be missing out on some serious traffic.
Not sure if your site utilizes responsive design? Click here to take the Mobile-Friendly Test for free.
Don’t Forget a Clear Call to Action
Once visitors arrive on your site, make it very clear what you want them to do. Calls to action can be many different things, depending on what your goals are. A few examples include: download my ebook, get a free consultation or schedule an appointment. Sometimes it’s better to encourage people to make smaller commitments, such as providing them with an ebook in exchange for their email address, rather than asking them to buy right off the bat. Depending on the nature of your business, you might have to build more of a relationship with the visitor before they’re ready to make a purchase.
A few tips for call to action best practices:
• Make it stand out by using bright colors and copy that compels people to click
• Keep it brief – 5 words or less
• Keep it action-oriented, such as “sign up” or “click to download”
• Make it easy to find – don’t put your visitors to work
ª Make it clear and easy to understand
Don’t Forget to Add Google Analytics
Perhaps one of the most overlooked tools is Google Analytics. Google Analytics is essential for understanding how many visitors come to your site during a given time period and through which channels they arrive. By looking at your Google Analytics data, you can determine which sites, such as Facebook or LinkedIn, for example, are sending the most people to your website, and how long they stay on your site after they arrive. This can help ensure that you’re spending the most time where it matters. If no one is coming to your page from LinkedIn and you’re spending most of your time promoting your company there, you’re wasting your time.
Your web designer will be able to set up a Google Analytics account for you. If they do, make sure that you have access to the login information. If you decide to do it yourself, here’s some information on how to get started with Google Analytics.
Tell a Story with Quality Content
Many organizations make the mistake of writing their own website content or choosing boring photos without utilizing best practices. There is a certain recipe to website content writing that includes the right keywords, is enticing and encourages visitors to take the next step down your sales funnel. Don’t leave this job up to the company intern.
Photos are also a key component, and it’s important to make sure you have a license to use the photos on your site. We’ve seen clients who got in trouble for using photos that belong to someone else. Read about that and other website pitfalls on our blog.
To maximize your opportunity for a sale when visitors arrive at your site, be sure that your content creates a compelling story and that you use best practices for web content. Videos are also a great way to engage with visitors right away when they land on your site, and many quality websites include a video on their home page.
Don’t Forget to Capture Visitors’ Information
You may have heard “the money is in your list,” and there’s a reason why marketers repeat this over and over like a get rich mantra. It’s true. While visitors may not be ready to buy right this second, that doesn’t mean they won’t be ready down the road. Include an opt-in form on your site to stay in touch, download a PDF or subscribe to your newsletter. Give them some way to stay in touch with you. That way, you can stay front and center in their minds by sending them interesting content to keep them engaged. Then, when they’re ready to buy, you’ll be their natural choice.
Are you tired of seeing “Update my website” on your to-do list? Our team at Diace Designs builds badass sites for badass companies. Contact us today for a free consultation.
