Your website is often the first impression people get of your business, so choosing the right web designer is essential. Many companies make critical errors that can hurt sales, damage brand credibility, and frustrate visitors. In this guide, we will discuss 10 common mistakes to avoid when outsourcing web design and provide guidance on how to prevent them. At the end, you will learn how to avoid expensive Challenges, enhance your site, and increase conversions.
10 Common Mistakes Small Businesses Make On Their Website And Easy Fixes
Find out the mistakes to avoid when outsourcing web design and how to fix poor website design to achieve long-term success.
1. Slow Loading Pages
One of the most frustrating aspects for users is a slow website. Pages that take too long to load lead to high bounce rates and lost sales. Studies show that even a one-second delay can reduce conversions by up to 7%.
How to Fix Slow Loading Pages?
• Reduce file size without impairing quality by compressing and optimising images.
• Minimise CSS, JavaScript, and other code to enhance site efficiency.
• Use caching and Content Delivery Networks (CDNs) to accelerate delivery.
• Select a good hosting provider that can provide high performance.
• Test site speed frequently using tools such as Google PageSpeed Insights.
2. Poor Mobile Responsiveness
With over 50% of website traffic coming from mobile devices, a site that isn’t mobile-friendly can significantly reduce sales. Visitors expect seamless experiences on smartphones and tablets. Businesses often overlook this, but it’s one of the Common e-commerce website mistakes that can cost thousands in lost revenue.
How to Fix Poor Mobile Responsiveness?
• Build using responsive design frameworks that adapt automatically to all screen sizes.
• Test on multiple devices, including smartphones and tablets, before launch.
• Prioritise mobile-first user experience by designing with small screens in mind.
• Avoid heavy graphics or pop-ups that disrupt mobile navigation.
• Use flexible grids and scalable typography for better readability.
3. Confusing Navigation
When visitors cannot find information easily, they will abandon it, and, in some cases, leave it instantly. Your site can be frustrating due to poor menus, categories, or overcrowded choices. When outsourcing web design, review the agency's portfolio to find examples of poor website design and learn what to avoid when creating your website.
How to Fix Confusing Navigation?
• Simplify menus by limiting options and using clear labels.
• Organise content into logical categories for better flow.
• Ensure call-to-action buttons are visible and easy to access.
• Avoid complex dropdowns that overwhelm users.
4. Weak Call-to-Actions (CTAs)
A great website without strong CTAs is like a shop with no checkout counter. If your buttons are obscure or hidden, visitors will not convert into customers.
How to Fix Weak Call-to-Actions (CTAs)?
• Use action words in button text, such as Get Started or Shop Now.
• Use CTAs in strategic locations on the top, middle, and bottom of essential pages.
• Use contrasting colours so CTAs stand out from the background.
• Experiment with styles and positions and see which gets the clicks.
• Follow website design tips for businesses to make CTAs persuasive and customer-focused.
5. Cluttered Design
Websites overloaded with graphics, text, or ads are overwhelming and reduce trust. Clutter distracts users from your main message and can make a site look unprofessional. This is a frequent mistake small businesses make on their website.
How to Fix Cluttered Design?
• Remove unnecessary images, widgets, or content that distract from the primary goal.
• Increase whitespace around text and elements to improve readability.
• Focus only on the most essential content and keep layouts simple.
• Limit colour schemes and font types for a clean appearance.
6. Poor Typography and Readability
Fonts that are too small, colours that blend into the background, or dense paragraphs can make your site hard to read. This reduces time spent on your pages, which in turn hurts conversions.
How to Fix Poor Typography and Readability?
• Choose fonts that are easy to read and can be used on all devices.
• Use the exact font sizes for headings, subheadings, and body text.
• Break up the paragraphs and have the proper line spacing.
• Use colour contrast whereby text is visible against the background.
7. Ignoring SEO Best Practices
A beautiful website is nothing if it can't be found. Many of our outsourced websites lack effective SEO implementation, resulting in invisibility to search engines and minimal traffic. Adding SEO from the start is a good website design tip for businesses that want to generate organic leads.
How to Fix Ignoring SEO Best Practices?
• Optimise every page with relevant meta titles and descriptions.
• Use heading hierarchy (H1 for main title, H2/H3 for subtopics).
• Add descriptive alt text to pictures to increase accessibility and SEO.
• Create internal links to direct users and search engines to crawl pages.
• Shorten, make keyword-rich and user-friendly URLs.
8. Broken Links and Technical Errors
Broken links, missing pages, or error messages are the worst things you can do to kill trust. They annoy users, and that is a sign of neglect. One of the ways you can avoid common eCommerce website mistakes is to make sure checkout links and forms never stop functioning.
How to Fix Broken Links and Technical Errors?
• Conduct regular site audits to identify broken links and errors.
• Repair broken links immediately to prevent visitor frustration.
• Revise old information to keep information up to date and accurate.
• Check the health of the sites with such tools as Screaming Frog or Ahrefs.
9. Not Optimising for Conversions
A beautiful website doesn’t guarantee sales. How bad design can harm business by lacking trust signals, lead forms, or persuasive content, which drives customers away rather than converting them.
How to Fix Not Optimising for Conversions?
• Add trust signals such as customer testimonials, case studies, and reviews.
• Create specific landing pages with specific content and clear CTAs.
• Write compelling text appealing to the needs of the customers.
• A/B test your headlines, CTAs, and layouts to see what converts best.
• Use the web design tips to increase sales, such as adding urgency to sales (“Limited Offer”), to help boost conversions.
10. Outdated Design and Branding
A poor or outdated design may give a business a shoddy or outdated look. Brand perception is usually associated with the look and feel of the website.
How to Fix Outdated Design and Branding?
• Keep the layout of the website up to date.
• Ensure consistent use of logos, colours, and fonts across all pages.
• Replace old graphics with new ones that align with the current branding.
• To create professionalism and trust, use quality photographs.
• Study bad website design examples by recognising outdated forms and preventing the same pitfalls.
Bonus Web Design Tips to Increase Sales
• Use live chat to address customer questions promptly.
• Use videos or demos of the product to increase trust.
• Use limited-time offers or a time countdown to create a sense of urgency.
• Have a sticky navigation menu with essential CTAs.
• Add exit-intent pop-ups with special discounts.
• Highlight secure payment icons and trust badges.
• Optimise thank-you pages with upsell offers.
• Offer multi-language and currency support.
• Make return and refund policies easy to find.
Conclusion
Outsourcing web design can be a good step for any business, provided you know what to look out for. By understanding the common mistakes to avoid when outsourcing web design, you can protect your website's performance, enhance user experience, and drive sales.
Keep in mind that even minor mistakes, such as slow-loading pages, poor mobile optimisation, or a cluttered design, can affect revenues significantly. Use these practical solutions and apply web design tips to increase sales and measure the results.
If you're unsure where to start or need professional assistance, Contact Spotlight GB. Our web designers offer tailor-made services that prevent expensive mistakes and optimise conversions to improve your web presence.
