These days, people visit websites every single day for multiple reasons. Like some people visit for shopping, some order food, or book a ride and so on. You might also be one of them. So, when you visit websites, what do you basically look for in a good website? Maybe you want it to be simple, good-looking, and fast. But did you ever feel that not all websites are up to the mark? It happens because many people make small mistakes when they build their sites. These mistakes can make visitors leave quickly. So, in this blog, we’ll talk about some common web design mistakes that people make. So, if you want your website to do well and bring in more people, this guide will help you.
Firstly, let’s know what is poor search is. Poor search is something when you search for something on a website and it shows you something else instead of the particular product. To make it easy, let’s look for an example. Suppose you're on a website looking for a pair of running shoes. So, you type running shoes by mistake, but nothing shows up. Or maybe, instead of showing shoes, the page fills with random items that have nothing to do with what you want. So, at that moment, you will feel annoyed, right? That is exactly what happens when a website has a poor search bar. And when that happens, most people just give up and leave.
When you can’t find what you are looking for, then it’s normal not to stay long. A bad search system often doesn’t understand small spelling mistakes, different versions of a word even words that mean the same thing. So, this makes it hard for everyone, especially older users or those who aren't very confident using the internet. Even if the rest of your website looks great, a broken or weak search bar can make the whole experience feel frustrating.
To fix a poor search experience on your website, you can start by using a search tool. Next, you have to make sure that the search engine shows the most important results first. It shouldn’t just match all the words typed in; it should show the best and most useful results at the top. This is especially helpful when people are searching for product names or popular items.
Finally, keep the search box simple and easy to find. Place it clearly at the top of every page so users don’t have to search for it. Remember, a clean, simple search bar works better than a complicated one, and it helps everyone.
Have you ever clicked a link on a website, and suddenly a PDF opens in a new tab? It feels a little annoying, right? That’s because PDFs aren’t made for online reading; they’re designed for paper. When a PDF opens, it takes you out of the website experience. And you will lose the flow, also things like zooming, scrolling, or even printing don’t work the way you expect.
PDFs often look strange on screens, especially on phones. The text can be tiny, the layout may not fit the screen, and it can take longer to load. For many users, especially if you are on mobile, this can be annoying and confusing. And the worst part? You will find no clear menu or an easy way to go to different parts. This kind of interruption makes people want to leave your site. They don’t want to struggle to read something that doesn’t fit their screen or take forever to load.
If you want to give your visitors a better experience, you'd better use PDFs only when you think it’s really needed. PDFs work well for things like brochures, manuals, or forms, especially when people want to download or print them. But if the content is meant to be read online, it’s better to avoid using PDFs. Instead, you can turn that content into regular web pages. Things like blog posts, articles, or help guides should be easy to scroll through and read on any screen, and web pages are perfect for that.
If you must include a PDF, try to make it mobile-friendly. Most people use phones or tablets to browse, and a PDF that doesn’t fit their screen will only frustrate them. A great idea is to also offer a web version of the content, so users can choose the format that works best for them. These small changes can make a big difference in how people feel when they visit your website.
Did it happen to you that you clicked a link, looked around a bit, and then clicked the same link again later, without realising it? That’s what happens when a website doesn’t change the colour of visited links. You will see that all the links look the same, and it’s you might forget where you’ve already been. So, this can leave users feeling confused and even a little lost.
Some people might visit the same page over and over again. And this not only wastes time but also makes the website hard to follow. It becomes difficult for users to know where they are, where they’ve been, and where they should go next. A small thing like link colour can make a big difference in how smooth and easy your website feels.
The good news? You can fix it without any trouble. Just start by using a different colour for visited links, something that clearly stands out from unvisited ones. For example, if your normal links are blue, change visited ones to purple or grey. This helps users instantly see what pages they’ve already clicked.
Also, make sure it works on all browsers and devices. Sometimes a feature looks fine on one browser but not on another, so it’s important to test it. And don’t just apply this to one page, for better result, use it across your whole website so the experience feels smooth and consistent.
When users can see where they’ve already been, it’s easier for them to find their way around. They won’t waste time going in circles, and they’ll feel more confident and comfortable exploring your site.
What if you see a huge block of text just by opening a website? No spaces, no breaks, just a wall of words. You will feel overwhelmed, right? Even most people don’t read every word on a website. They just scan to find what they need. So, if the text isn’t easy to skim, they might give up and leave.
When your content looks too long or too hard to read, users often miss the important parts. This is even more of a problem on phones, where the screen is small and reading a wall of text becomes tiring. A page without structure can feel boring or confusing, and that’s not what you want for your visitors.
Surely you need to fix it. But worried about how to fix? Wondering if this needs a writing expert? Well, let’s make it easy. You don’t need to be a writing expert to fix this. You just need to follow a few simple steps to make your content cleaner and easier to read.
You can start by using headings and subheadings. This will help you break your content into sections, so readers can easily find the parts they care about. And then try using bullet points or numbered lists. They will help users show steps, tips, or features in a clear way. It also helps to highlight keywords or phrases by making them bold or italic. This draws the reader’s eye to the most important details. And remember, keep your paragraphs short, just 2 to 3 sentences are perfect. Long paragraphs feel heavy, especially on mobile.
Finally, use the inverted pyramid method. That means putting the most important information at the top, followed by the details. This way, even if someone only reads the first few lines, they’ll still get the main message.
We all know that not everyone’s eyesight is the same. Not everyone sees things the same way. Some people, especially those over 40 or with poor eyesight, need to make the text bigger to read it comfortably. But if your website uses fixed font sizes, it stops them from doing that. The text stays small, no matter what they do, and that can be really frustrating.
When people can’t change the text size through their browser settings, your website becomes harder to read. This can push visitors away, especially those who rely on larger fonts
So, rather than making it difficult, let’s make your website more welcoming for everyone. Firstly, what you can do is use relative and right font sizes like percentages instead of fixed sizes like pixels. This allows the text to grow or shrink depending on what the user needs. Next, make sure your website respects browser settings. If someone has increased the default font size on their device, your site should adjust to match it.
Lastly, always test your site’s readability. Try viewing it with bigger and smaller text on different screens, like phones, tablets, and laptops. If it still looks clean and easy to read, you’re doing it right.
Many people usually visit websites, and not everyone just visits for timepass. Many people visit your website because they usually look for answers, whether it’s about your products, services, or how to get in touch. But what if they don’t find the answer to their question they need? They will leave right. For example, if you’re selling something but you don’t show prices, users might think you’re hiding something. And this can make them frustrated and less likely to trust your site. It can lead to higher bounce rates when people leave your site without interacting, and lost opportunities for sales or new customers.
You might understand what you have to do in this case. You just have to answer your visitors' questions clearly and up front. Be clear and comprehensive. For example, make sure you answer common questions like "How much does it cost?" or "How do I contact you?" right away. Don’t leave users guessing; include key details like prices, product specs, and other important information. Make it easy for visitors to find everything they need.
Plus, it’s better to avoid confusing words or technical terms that might make people feel lost. Keep it clear, friendly, and easy to understand, and your visitors will feel more confident and comfortable staying on your site.
Let’s be honest, we all skip ads without even thinking. Not just you and us, it’s about all people; no one loves banners, pop-ups, and flashy boxes. So, if your website content looks like an ad, there’s a big chance people will scroll right and pass it, even if it’s important.
This is a real problem called banner blindness. It means users automatically skip over anything that feels like an advertisement. So, if your main message, offer, or call-to-action button looks too flashy or out of place, people might miss it completely.
It’s better not to make your content look like an ad. Avoid big banner-style layouts or loud designs when you’re sharing important information. Instead, keep things clean and natural. If you want to use animations, make sure they’re gentle and not too flashy. Also, know where you place your content. Put key messages and buttons in places users expect, like the centre of the page or just below a headline. That way, they’ll see it without confusion.
Creating a good website and designing it takes time and care, but avoiding these simple design mistakes can make a big difference. When your site is easy to use, clear to read, and works well on all devices, people are more likely to stay and enjoy it.
So, take a moment to look at your current website or your plan for a new one. And check if you’re making any of these common mistakes. You can also ask your friends or family to test it too. And to check the speed and performance, you can use free tools. And most importantly, keep learning and improving.
With a little effort and the right approach, you can build a website that not only looks nice but also works great for everyone who visits.
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