In today’s modern, digital world, establishing a strong online presence is vitally important. A professional website is essential for business, however avoiding common mistakes in its creation and development is crucial. A poorly created website can cause more damage to your business than not having a website at all. With a well-functioning, user-oriented website, you can effectively achieve your business goals.
We share the most frequently made mistakes that you should avoid when creating a website.
- Mobile Version Incompatibility
In today’s digital era, more people use mobile devices to access the internet than desktops/computers, which emphasizes the necessity and importance of mobile compatibility for all websites. Despite this, many websites are still not optimized for mobile versions, which potentially causes businesses to lose significant audiences. The existence of appropriate web design for all devices plays a crucial role in creating user experience and impressions.
2. Ineffective Navigation and Communication
The best web design ensures user-oriented navigation and clear communication to retain website visitors. Adapt your homepage design to potential audience questions to gain their trust and effectively highlight the advantages of your offerings.
Users should be able to quickly and easily find the information they are looking for. For this:
- Prioritize mobile navigation
- Create a sitemap
- Limit menu options
- Use subcategories
- Offer search functionality
- Use a back button
- Effectively use the footer navigation bar
- Provide the ability to navigate to the homepage from every page.
3. Lack of Content Strategy
Not having a content strategy for a business website is one of the main mistakes, while constant updating of information with news and relevant topics is a fundamental part of the strategy. The existence of correct and interesting content for users ensures visitor retention on the site and adaptation to search engines. Focus on long-form content (1,500-2,000 words) and constantly update content to remain relevant.
4. Limited Content Availability
Limited content makes your website less effective. For example, a company that offers any type of service to users should offer more than a general list of services. Each service should have its own dedicated page, which from an SEO perspective will help users understand specific keyword content, which is important for search engines. Ideally, each service’s individual page should contain 500-1,000 words.
5. Poor Page Optimization
Poor page optimization holds a high place among the main mistakes made during website creation. It includes basic changes to elements such as page titles and meta data. For example, to achieve increased positions on search engine results pages, it is desirable to moderately mention page keywords in content and titles and add internal and external links.
6. Low Page Loading Speed
One significant mistake that should be avoided is neglecting page loading speed. Most users prefer quickly loaded pages, while slow speed leads them to your competitors. This is particularly important for commercial websites. Additionally, loading speed plays a major role in page positioning in search engines. Use hosting that offers the speed you desire and reduce unnecessary media. Fast-loading pages maintain visitor engagement and increase the potential for positive user feedback.
7. Lack of Interactive Buttons
Limited interaction opportunities are also one of the main mistakes, as they have crucial importance in user connection with you, since they call users to desired actions such as login, registration, purchase, payment, etc. Interactive buttons indicate to users the effectiveness of button usage; they can be in the form of buttons, links, banners, or slides. Web design agencies often use similar buttons on every page, thereby emphasizing simplicity, conciseness, and the necessity of their use for optimal effectiveness.
8. Neglecting Web Security
Website security is vitally important for gaining user trust. Its neglect may push users toward seeking alternatives. To avoid all this, it is priority to:
- Use HTTPS (Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure) instead of HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol)
- Require strong password settings
- Require user permission for access to their information
- Regular updates and backup material availability
- Collaboration with reliable hosting providers.
9. Lack of Contact Information
The existence of inappropriate contact information on the site is a critical mistake that can be easily avoided. Make sure your site’s contact page is easily accessible to everyone, prominently placed in the main menu or in the “About Us” page subcategory. Basic contact details include:
- Business name
- Phone number
- Physical address with map
- Email address
- Contact form
- Business hours.
Depending on business specifics, it may be possible to include contact information for specific profile employees. The “Contact” page is very important as it makes it easier for users to contact you, thereby increasing their trust in your business.
Summary
Digital marketing is important for business, and the website is its uncompetitive participant. Putting user desires in the forefront will help you achieve your website creation goals. Avoid making the above-listed mistakes when creating your site through partnership with a reliable and professional web development company and consider that it is essential for website visitors to show the brightest side of your business.
