Thinking about building your first website? Congratulations! But before you begin that awesome journey, have you considered the common mistakes website owners make?
Over 90% of people check out a store’s website before visiting, and around 97% find local businesses online. So, getting your website right is important.
Just having a website isn’t enough. About 55% of people won’t recommend a business if its website is a hot mess or hard to use.
Ouch! To avoid falling into the trap of these common mistakes website owners make, you need to be proactive.
Luckily, I’ve got your back. I’ll walk you through the top blunders to steer clear of and provide you with ways to avoid them. Let’s get in and make sure your website is a total winner
What are the Common Mistakes Website Owners Make and How to Avoid Them?
#1. Not Conducting Research
Not doing any research is a major misstep that many new website owners stumble into. Seriously, research is the secret weapon to making your site stand out. If you’re thinking, “I’ve got a great idea for my website,” that’s awesome, but do you know who’s gonna be checking it out? And I’m not just talking about your customers; I mean really diving into your industry, niche, and audience specifics.
Your audience isn’t a one-size-fits-all. Each group has its quirks and preferences. So, before you even start designing, get the 411 on what your audience wants and what’s already out there.
Know your industry’s standards and don’t just reinvent the wheel. Build on what works and avoid looking like you’re just winging it.
Also, don’t forget to figure out your unique selling point. Is what you’re offering hitting the mark? Will it catch the eye of your target audience? Do some legwork to understand their needs and how you can stand out. And get on the SEO train early. Planning your website with search engine recommendations in mind can save you a lot of headaches later.
The good news? Research is way easier now than it used to be. Thanks to the internet, you can scope out your competitors and see what’s working for them. Peek into forums, social media pages, and other places where your audience hangs out. Reddit’s a great starting point, but remember, people’s needs can vary widely based on where they are. For instance, car buyers in Wyoming have different priorities than those in Los Angeles or even in Germany or India.
To dodge this common mistake website owners make, start by digging deep into your audience’s preferences and behaviors. Analyze your competition, understand regional differences, and tailor your research accordingly. It’s all about setting yourself up with the right insights to make your site truly resonate.
#2. Unclear Brand Message
Unclear brand messaging is one of the biggest mistakes website owners make, yet it’s often overlooked. If there’s one thing you need to get right, it’s this. Clear messaging is important because it helps you connect with your audience effectively.
When your message gets lost in long, vague content, visitors will just scroll past and you’ll miss the chance to engage them. Instead, you need to communicate clearly about what you offer and how it benefits your clients. Your website copy should tell a story that resonates with your audience.
Your website copy should speak directly to your ideal clients, not just to a broad audience. Treat it like a conversation where you address their needs and concerns. Position them as the focus and yourself as the guide who helps them solve their problems.
Address their pain points and answer their questions right away. Make it obvious that you understand their needs and have solutions for them. Being clear about what you do, who you do it for, and how it solves specific problems will make your website more effective.
To avoid this mistake, make sure your brand message is straightforward and targeted. Clearly explain what you offer, who you’re helping, and how you make a difference. This approach will help you connect better with your audience and turn visitors into clients.
#3. A Poorly Chosen Domain Name
Choosing the wrong domain name is one among the major mistakes website owners make, and it’s something that’s easier to mess up than you might think. With over 1.13 billion websites out there and thousands of new ones popping up every hour, finding a good domain name is like searching for a needle in a haystack.
Your domain name is a big deal—it’s basically your online address and should be just as memorable as your brand name. Nowadays, a lot of businesses end up naming their brand after their domain because it’s tough to find a great domain that isn’t already taken. So, it’s become pretty common to play around with abbreviations or clever twists to get something that works.
Before you get too caught up in choosing a domain name, you need to decide on a Top Level Domain (TLD). The TLD is the extension at the end of your domain name, like .com, .net, or .org. It helps direct users to the right place online. Each TLD has its own vibe, so you need to pick one that fits your brand.
To avoid this mistake, make sure you take your time choosing a domain name that’s easy to remember and type. Avoid using overly complex or long names. And don’t forget to pick a TLD that makes sense for your business—.com is usually a safe bet, but sometimes a .net or .org might be better depending on your needs.
#4. Not Having a Clear CTAs
One of the biggest mistakes website owners make is not having clear calls to action (CTAs) or missing them altogether on their pages. So, what’s a CTA? It’s basically a prompt that tells visitors what you want them to do next. Think “Call Now,” “Get Started,” “Learn More,” or “Add to Cart.”
Your CTAs should be short and to the point. No need for fancy language or convoluted phrases. Just keep it straightforward and tell users exactly what action you want them to take.
Each page on your site should have one main CTA, and you can add up to two secondary ones if needed. For example, your main CTA could be something like “Sign Up for Your Free Trial,” while a secondary one might be “Subscribe to Our Newsletter.”
Having too many CTAs can overwhelm visitors and make them feel lost, while having too few or none at all means visitors might just wander around aimlessly.
To avoid these mistakes, make sure every page of your site guides visitors by clearly stating what they should do next, where they should go, and how they should feel. It’s all about making their journey through your site smooth and focused.
#5. Picking the wrong hosting plan
When it comes to your website’s load and uptime, it all boils down to the power, location, and type of servers hosting your site, choosing the right service plan is important.
Here’s one among the key mistakes website owners make: they often pick a plan without doing their homework. Our consultants are here to help guide you, but it’s smart to do a bit of your own research, too. For instance, if you’re running a small business with a website that gets up to around 30,000 visitors a month, our Start Dock plan should fit you perfectly. But if you’re offering something unique and have a decent budget for ads, the Web Warp plan is a better fit.
And if you’re a retailer planning for big growth in the coming years, the Speed Reaper plan has got you covered. Sure, you can always upgrade later, but starting with the right plan from the beginning can help you snag some sweet discounts and ensure you’re not scrambling to adjust your plan down the road.
So, to avoid the common mistake of underestimating your hosting needs, take some time to research and select a plan that matches your current needs and future goals. This way, you’ll set yourself up for success right from the start.
#6. Clustered Website
Let’s talk about a classic blunder website owners make: cluttered websites. We’ve all stumbled onto those sites that are just too much—way too many colors, random blocks of text, a jumble of images, and a confusing layout. It’s like walking into a room where everything is crammed in every corner, and guess what? This mess slows down your website and makes it a pain to navigate.
Not only does this chaos make your website feel overwhelming, but it also leads to high bounce rates. That’s the term for when visitors land on your site and then quickly leave without checking out other pages. Basically, if your site is a cluttered mess, people are gonna bounce right off it.
So, how do you avoid this mistake? Keep your website clean and straightforward. Use a simple color palette, organize your content clearly, and make sure your text and images are well-placed. A tidy website is not only easier on the eyes but also keeps visitors engaged and exploring your content.
#7. Zero whitespace
One of the big mistakes website owners make, especially with DIY sites, is skimping on whitespace. What’s whitespace, you ask? It’s basically the empty space around your content. Sounds simple, but it’s super important.
Top-notch websites aren’t crammed full of stuff; they use whitespace to separate sections and give the content—and your eyes—a break. This breathing room makes everything look cleaner and helps visitors focus on what really matters.
So, how do you avoid this mistake? Don’t be afraid to let your content breathe. Use whitespace to create clear sections and give your design some space to shine. It’ll make your site look way more polished and easier to navigate.
#8. Placing Aesthetic Above User Experience
When building your website, it’s easy to get caught up in making it look stunning, but here’s a big mistake website owners make: putting aesthetics over user experience. Sure, a sleek design is cool and all, but if your site isn’t easy to use, your visitors won’t stick around.
Look at it like this: you’ve got a killer design that looks amazing on a desktop, but it’s a total mess on mobile. That’s a problem. Design should never just be for show; it should support your site’s usability. The real goal is to turn those visitors into customers, not just to impress them with flashy graphics.
To avoid this mistake, focus on creating a seamless user experience. Make sure your site looks great and works well on all devices. Prioritize functionality over decoration to help guide your visitors smoothly from landing on your site to making a purchase.
#9. Not Keeping the key stuff at the top
Another of the big mistakes website owners make is not keeping important content above the fold. What does that mean? Basically, it’s all about making sure the crucial stuff is visible without having to scroll down.
You want to grab your visitors’ attention right away, so your top section should clearly show what you do, who you do it for, and why they should care. This is prime real estate on your website, so use it wisely.
To avoid this mistake, make sure your main message is front and center as soon as someone lands on your site. Think of it as your chance to make a killer first impression. Display key info like your unique selling points and benefits right at the top. This way, visitors know exactly what you’re all about without having to dig around.
#10. Poor Website Design
Another of the big mistakes website owners make is using poor design. Sure, usability is super important, but let’s not forget about aesthetics. First impressions matter, and it only takes about fifty milliseconds for someone to form an opinion about your site. That’s literally the blink of an eye.
About 57% of people wouldn’t recommend a business if the website design was shabby, even if the product or service was top-notch. Ouch!
A common slip-up is grabbing a generic WordPress template and running with it without tweaking it to fit your industry. These templates can end up looking like every other site out there—functional but bland and lacking personality. If your site doesn’t stand out, people might bounce over to the competition, even if your offerings are better.
So, what’s the fix? If you’re on a budget and need to use a WordPress theme, make sure to personalize it. You don’t have to be a tech whiz to make your site pop. Use the customization options available to give your website a unique look and feel that matches your brand. This way, you’ll catch your visitors’ eyes and keep them engaged.
#11. Not Mobile Optimized
Another one of the mistakes website owners make is failing to optimize their site for mobile. We’ve all had that frustrating experience—waiting ages for a page to load on our phones or struggling with a design that’s a nightmare to navigate.
Honestly, how often do you stick around if a site doesn’t work well on your phone? Probably not long.
More than 50% of web traffic comes from mobile devices. If your site isn’t mobile-friendly, you’re missing out on a massive audience. Plus, 61% of consumers are more likely to buy from a site that’s easy to use on their phones.
To avoid this mistake, ensure your mobile design is just as slick and user-friendly as your desktop version. A smooth, clean mobile experience will keep users happy and increase your chances of converting them into customers.
#12. Overlooking Essential Pages
Another of the commonest and biggest mistakes website owners make is overlooking key pages that are essential for a well-rounded site. It’s easy to get caught up in making your homepage look amazing, but skipping out on other important pages can seriously hurt your site’s effectiveness.
For instance, not having a blog section can be a major missed opportunity for boosting your SEO and attracting new visitors through search engines.
Blogs are great for driving traffic and engaging with your audience. Also, don’t underestimate the power of an About Us page. This page is like your online handshake, making you more relatable and trustworthy to visitors. It’s your chance to show who you are and why people should care.
And let’s not forget about the Contact page. It doesn’t have to be a whole separate section, but you do need to make sure your contact info is easy to find. A study found that around 44% of visitors will leave a site if they can’t find a way to contact you. Losing almost half your audience because you didn’t include your contact details? That’s definitely a mistake you want to avoid.
So, when you’re building your site, remember: cover all the bases. Include a blog, an About Us page, and make sure your contact information is easily accessible. It’s these little things that make a big difference in keeping your visitors engaged and making sure they can reach you when they need to.
#13. Generic 404 Page
This is the page visitors see when they click a broken link or an incorrect URL. If your 404 page is just a boring error message with no real help, it’s doing you a disservice.
Instead of a bland “Page Not Found” message, make your 404 page work for you. Use a header that clearly explains what went wrong but keep it friendly and on-brand. You want to let visitors know that the link they clicked isn’t valid, but don’t leave them hanging.
Add a search bar or a button that guides them back to the main parts of your site. It’s like giving them a map to help them find their way back. A good 404 page helps visitors stay engaged with your site rather than bouncing away in frustration.
So, don’t just settle for a basic error page. Make it part of your site’s experience by keeping it branded, helpful, and user-friendly. It’s a small touch that can make a big difference in how visitors interact with your site.
#14. Creating Content that isn’t Rich Enough
Creating inefficient content is one of the big mistakes website owners make. We’ve all heard that “Content is King,” and it’s true—good content can drive traffic, boost conversions, and increase sales. But creating great content isn’t as simple as it sounds.
A common slip-up, especially for those building their first websites, is cramming every detail about their product or service onto the homepage. People don’t want to wade through long paragraphs right away; they want quick, relevant info.
Your homepage should be concise and engaging. Use it to highlight key points and then direct visitors to a blog or other pages where they can dive deeper if they’re interested. Keep the content short and sweet with a good mix of images and graphics to break up the text.
Don’t build your content around what you think is important. Instead, focus on what your audience wants to know. Research their needs and interests, and tailor your content to address those.
And here’s an important tip: make sure all your images are high quality. Low-res images can seriously hurt user experience. Similarly, your text needs to be spot-on. Avoid jargon, slang, or swearing unless you’re confident it fits your brand and audience. Spelling and grammar errors are a big no-no too—they can turn off customers and hurt your credibility.
To avoid these pitfalls, take your time writing and revising your content. Let it sit for a day or two before you finalize it, and get a second pair of eyes to review it. This way, you can catch mistakes and ensure your content is both engaging and professional.
#15. Not Making Your Contact Detail Clear and Accessible
Hard-to-find contact info is one of those big mistakes website owners make that can seriously hurt your business. You want visitors to easily get in touch with you, right? So, don’t hide your contact details!
First off, make your “Contact Us” button super obvious. It should be bright, high contrast, and placed where people will see it right away—like the top right of your navigation bar. That way, no matter where visitors are on your site, they can easily find their way to contact you.
On your actual contact page, go all out. Include every possible way for people to reach you—phone number, email address, physical address, and a contact form. And don’t forget to add your social media links there too.
Being easy to contact isn’t just about listing your info—it’s also about being quick to respond. Prompt replies can build trust and make potential clients feel valued. So, keep an eye on those inquiries and respond as soon as you can.
Avoid this mistake by making your contact info clear and accessible, and by being responsive. It’s a simple step that can make a big difference in how potential clients perceive your business.
#16. Not Including a Clear Call to Action
One of the biggest mistakes website owners make is not including a clear call to action (CTA). Look, every website has a mission—whether it’s selling stuff, sharing info, or just showcasing your portfolio. But here’s the deal: just having great content isn’t enough to get visitors to take the next step.
You need to spell it out for them. A CTA is like a friendly nudge telling your audience what to do next. Whether it’s “Shop Now,” “Get a Free Quote,” or “Subscribe to Our Newsletter,” your CTA should be hard to miss and make it crystal clear what action you want them to take.
Here’s how to avoid this mistake: Make sure every page has a CTA that fits with what you want your visitors to do next. Don’t leave them guessing. And keep your CTAs simple and direct. The easier you make it for people to know what to do, the more likely they are to follow through. So, step up your CTA game and guide your visitors on their journey
#17. Ignoring Website Security
Ever wondered if your website is secure or not? Here’s a quick and easy check: Look at your website’s URL. If you see “http://” instead of “https://,” your site is not secure. The “s” in “https://” means your site is protected, and you should also see a little padlock icon next to your domain name.
If your site isn’t secure, Google Chrome will slap a big red warning label on it, telling visitors they’re on an unsecured site. That’s a surefire way to scare people off and give them a terrible first impression of your business.
So, how do you fix this? You need an SSL certificate to secure your site. Depending on your hosting provider, you might need to buy one. But if you’re on Squarespace, you’re in luck—all domains come with a free SSL certificate.
Don’t make the mistake of skimping on security. A secure site builds trust with your visitors and keeps them from bouncing away in a panic.
#18. Overlooking SEO
Ignoring SEO is like setting up a fantastic store but forgetting to put up a sign. Over 68% of online journeys start with a search engine, and a huge chunk of traffic—53.3%, to be exact—comes from organic searches. Plus, 60% of marketers swear that their best leads come from search engines, with 15% actually closing deals. In other words, SEO isn’t just a nice-to-have; it’s a game changer.
The tricky part is that SEO can feel like rocket science. There’s a lot to learn, from meta headlines and tags to figuring out the best keywords for your site. But don’t let that intimidate you! Start simple: make sure you have clear meta titles and descriptions, and dive into keyword research to find the terms your audience is searching for.
One of the biggest mistakes website owners make is overlooking SEO. It’s not just about ranking higher; it’s about getting in front of the right people who are actively looking for what you offer. Invest some time in SEO and watch your traffic grow without breaking the bank.
#19. Not Having a Budget for Advertising
Relying solely on SEO without a budget for advertising is a mistake a lot of new website owners make. Sure, SEO is awesome, but it can take 3-6 months before you see any solid results and start reeling in customers. Meanwhile, why not get the word out there with some paid ads? You don’t need to drop a fortune—think of it as your brand’s “hello world” moment.
A little cash spent on advertising can give your site a boost and start bringing in leads while your SEO works its magic. And don’t stress about breaking the bank. Start with budget-friendly options like social media ads, PPC campaigns, or even offline methods like flyers or local events.
The key to a successful campaign is doing your homework. Know your audience inside out and target your ads where they’re most likely to see them. For example, if you’re in the bike biz, consider guest posting on cycling blogs, hitting up bike festivals, or placing ads in bike parks. The goal is to get your site in front of as many eyes as possible so people start to recognize and remember your brand.
Conclusion
Use these 19 tips to level up your website and steer clear of those common mistakes website owners make. Back in the day, just having a website was all you needed to succeed online, but now you’ve gotta go the extra mile to really shine.
That means putting in the effort to craft a killer site—WordPress is a great tool, but you’ll need to put your own spin on it to stand out.
Don’t forget about content! Whether you’re writing it yourself or bringing in a pro, it’s gotta be top-notch. And while SEO is essential, it doesn’t work overnight. So, consider throwing a few bucks into some targeted ads to get the ball rolling.
Lastly, before diving into all that, make sure you’ve got a snappy domain name and rock-solid hosting. Nail those basics, and you’ll be well on your way to avoiding those rookie mistakes website owners make and setting up a site that’s both awesome and effective.
