Why Your Website Isn’t Working: 9 Design Mistakes That Drive Clients Away
- Birit Trematore
- May 5
- 3 min read
When someone visits your website, you’ve got mere seconds to make an impression. If what they see is confusing, cluttered, or unclear, they’re gone—and they likely won’t be back.
Here’s the good news: the most common web design mistakes are avoidable.
And once you know what they are, you can fix them fast—and start turning more visitors into inquiries, bookings, or loyal fans.
1. Saying Too Much, Too Soon
People don’t want to read a novel on your homepage. They want to know:
What you do
Who you help
How you can help them
What to do next
The mistake:
Overloading the homepage with paragraphs of vague text, multiple services all crammed together, or rambling personal bios.
The fix:
Keep it simple and direct. Use this structure:
A strong headline (what you do and who it’s for)
A short, benefit-driven subheading
One clear call-to-action (like “Book a Consultation” or “Browse Services”)
2. Poor Visual Hierarchy
When everything screams for attention, nothing gets it.
The mistake:
Too many font styles and sizes
Cluttered layouts
Buttons that blend into the background
No clear order of information
The fix:
Guide the eye. Use:
A consistent font system (headings, subheadings, body)
Logical content flow
Ample white space
Bold, visible buttons
3. Ignoring Mobile Experience
More than half of your visitors are likely on a phone. If your site’s only been designed for desktop, you’re losing them.
The mistake:
Overlapping elements
Hard-to-click buttons
Tiny text
Unreadable layouts on mobile
The fix:
Preview every page on mobile
Use stacked layouts
Make buttons thumb-friendly
Trim copy for easy scanning
4. Generic or Overused Imagery
Your visuals speak before your words do.
The mistake:
Tired stock photos
Images that feel impersonal
No representation of real people, places, or services
The fix:
Use custom or behind-the-scenes photos
Match visuals to your tone and audience
Keep it human, not generic
5. Hiding Contact Info or Calls-to-Action
If someone wants to reach you, don’t make them hunt.
The mistake:
One buried contact form
No visible email or phone number
Vague CTAs like “Learn More”
The fix:
Place buttons throughout your site
Use clear, action-driven language
Include phone and email in the footer and contact page
6. Forgetting to Show Personality
Your site should feel like you—not a fill-in-the-blank template.
The mistake:
Overly stiff or generic language
No story, tone, or vibe
Copy that sounds like everyone else
The fix:
Use a conversational voice
Share your “why”
Include real testimonials and personal details
7. No Clear Visitor Journey
Confused visitors don’t convert.
The mistake:
No path forward
Pages that dead-end
Disjointed layout
The fix:
Guide the visitor step-by-step
Use buttons to lead them
Repeat the next step throughout your site
8. Outdated or Incomplete Information
Your website should evolve with you.
The mistake:
Old dates and bios
Broken links
Abandoned blogs or event listings
The fix:
Update quarterly
Remove anything you no longer offer
Test all links and CTAs regularly
9. Slow Site Speed
Site speed impacts trust. If your website lags, visitors won’t wait.
The mistake:
Oversized image files
Too many third-party apps
Unnecessary animations or fonts
The fix:
Compress images before uploading
Limit apps to the essentials
Avoid excessive effects and heavy media
Stick to two fonts max
Wix optimizes a lot behind the scenes—but thoughtful design choices still matter.
Final Thoughts - Why Your Website Isn't Working and How to Fix It
The best websites don’t just look good—they feel good. They’re easy to follow, easy to trust, and built to guide the right people toward saying yes.
If your site isn’t doing its job, check for these 9 mistakes. Clean them up, and you’ll notice the difference: fewer bounces, more clicks, and more of the right kind of clients sticking around.
