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In the digital age, your website is often the first impression that potential customers have of your business. It's a digital storefront, a salesperson, and a customer service rep all rolled into one. As such, it's crucial to get the design right. However, there are several common mistakes that businesses often make when designing their websites. As experts in website design, we at Blue Deer Creative have identified these pitfalls and offer guidance on how to avoid them.
Mistake 1: Ignoring Mobile Optimisation
In our increasingly mobile world, not having a mobile-optimised website can be a significant misstep. Mobile traffic now accounts for over half of all internet traffic worldwide. If your site doesn't look good or function well on smartphones and tablets, you risk losing a large chunk of potential customers.
Solution: Ensure your website is responsive. This means that it automatically adjusts to fit the screen size on which it's being viewed, whether that's a desktop, tablet, or smartphone. Platforms like Wix offer responsive design capabilities, making this easier to achieve.
Mistake 2: Overloading with Information
While it's essential to provide your website visitors with information about your products or services, too much text can overwhelm them and make your site look cluttered.
Solution: Strike a balance. Break up text with headings, bullets, and images to make it more digestible. Remember, in web design, less is often more. Keep your content concise and to the point.
Mistake 3: Inconsistent Branding
Your website is a powerful branding tool. If your site's look and feel don't align with your company's brand, it can confuse your visitors and make your business seem less professional.
Solution: Ensure that your branding is consistent across all pages of your website. This includes your logo, colour scheme, fonts, and overall style. If your brand is fun and creative, let that show in your design. If it's more corporate and formal, keep your design sleek and professional.
Mistake 4: Not Paying Attention to SEO
Search engine optimisation (SEO) is crucial for improving your website's visibility on search engines like Google. Many businesses neglect this when designing their websites, making it harder for potential customers to find them online.
Solution: Make sure your website is SEO-friendly. This means using relevant keywords in your content, having a clear site structure that's easy for search engines to crawl, and optimising your site's loading speed. Consider using a platform like Wix, which offers built-in SEO tools.
Mistake 5: Not Updating Content Regularly
A stagnant website can make your business seem inactive or outdated. Plus, regularly updating your content is good for SEO.
Solution: Keep your content fresh. This could involve regularly updating your blog, adding new testimonials, or featuring new products or services. At Blue Deer Creative, our maintenance packages can help keep your content current.
Mistake 6: Making Contact Information Hard to Find
If a visitor decides they want to get in touch with you, don't make them search high and low for your contact information. This can be frustrating and may deter potential customers.
Solution: Make your contact information easy to find. A common best practice is to include it in your website's footer or have a dedicated "Contact Us" page that's easily accessible from the main navigation menu.
Designing a website can be a complex task, but avoiding these common mistakes can go a long way towards creating a site that's not only visually appealing but also user-friendly and effective in driving business. If you need help designing or revamping your website, don't hesitate to reach out to us at Blue Deer Creative. Our affordable, reliable, and expert services are designed to help small to medium-sized businesses and start-ups succeed in the digital world.