The 10 Deadly Website Design Sins

You Should Avoid

It’s a digital jungle out there, and having a well-designed website is essential for success. But with so many nuances to consider, it can be easy to commit deadly design blunders that could prove disastrous for your online presence.

To help guide you away from these missteps, we’ve compiled a list of the 10 most common website design sins that businesses should absolutely avoid - coupled with some handy best practices.

1. Outdated Content:

Freshness reigns supreme. Do not allow prehistoric website content to give prospective customers the wrong impression about your business.

Any content that hasn’t been reviewed and updated in years should be refreshed or removed altogether.

3. Chaotic Layout:

Create a clean and organised design that won’t leave visitors feeling overwhelmed by a cluttered mishmash of images, text, and buttons. It should be a breeze to navigate and engage with.

Simplify your homepage by showcasing your key services prominently, with simple visuals and concise descriptions.

5. Missing Contact Details:

What could be worse? Though it may seem unbelievable, some businesses don’t include enough contact information. Customers need to reach you in a multitude of different ways. Don’t forget to display

Placing your phone number and email prominently on the header or footer can make them easier to see.

2. Unresponsive Design:

Mobile users are everywhere, craving a seamless experience. Don’t risk losing them with a nonresponsive website. Engage your audience with a mobile-friendly design that captivates and keeps them coming back for more.

Set up designs for mobiles, tablets, and desktops using screen resolution breakpoints for each type of device.

4. Complex Navigation:

Simplicity is key. Confusing menus can be a major roadblock, leading visitors to abandon ship. Ensure a smooth and delightful user experience by keeping things straightforward and intuitive.

Structure your navigation using concise headings and subheadings to ensure seamless user journeys.

6. Slow Load Times:

In the fast-paced digital world, patience is not a virtue. Supercharge your website to keep visitors engaged and coming back for more.

Compress images, leverage caching, and reduce load times to enhance user satisfaction and create a seamless browsing experience.

7. Predatory Pop-Ups:

Nobody appreciates being ambushed with pop-up windows. Only use when pop-ups when you really need to. And ensure they’re highly relevant and helpful when you do.

Use pop-ups thoughtfully, and provide valuable content or promotions that match user interests.

9. Weak Visuals:

Images and videos speak volumes. Don’t compromise on top-notch visuals.

Invest in the very best imagery that presents your offerings with maximum impact.

8. Uninspiring Copy:

Avoid clichés or industry jargon that might confuse customers. Focus on creating content that resonates with your target audience, and highlights the unique value of your services.

Be sure to use concise language that accurately and engagingly conveys key messages. And don’t forget to proofread content for typos or grammatical errors before launching.

10. Neglected SEO:

Don’t expect free traffic without putting the work into search engine optimisation. That means doing some deep research, building a strategy, making sure your website is loaded up with the right content, doing regular SEO audits, and a laundry list of jobs.

Start by writing compelling content that’s packed with relevant keywords and phrases. Use headings and subheadings to structure your pages for maximum engagement and improved searchability.

At Middle East Creative Services, we create marketing tools that communicate clearly and convincingly. In both English and Arabic, we translate, design, and deliver for businesses across the UAE, the UK, Europe and North America. That includes hard-working business websites tailored to your needs.

With our simple subscription plans you can get access to professional creative services, with no long-term contracts or hefty upfront fees. You’ll leverage an experienced and dedicated team that can help you unlock growth and succeed - with visual communications that mean business.