7 common website mistakes and how to avoid them

Website problems often become clearer when you try to complete a specific task. These examples can help you check whether a page supports what its visitor needs to do.

1. An unclear purpose

A coffee business might devote several sections to its story without explaining how to order. Define the main action first and give it a clear place in the structure.

2. Navigation that needs explaining

On a course website, vague categories make finding a class harder. Choose labels that match how people search, such as subject and level, and test them with real examples.

3. Testing only on desktop

A restaurant menu and booking form need to work comfortably on a phone. Check internal pages, validation messages and confirmations too.

4. Descriptions with too little substance

Product pages need useful specifications and clear names. Repeating keywords cannot replace the information someone needs to make a decision.

5. Giving everything equal emphasis

On a clothing product page, size, colour and price need a clear position. Manufacturing details can follow. Organise the information so that every element is not competing for attention.

6. Unnecessarily heavy files

A large image or video can slow loading. Check its display size, file weight and when it actually needs to load.

7. No clear next step

A service page should offer a relevant way to get in touch. Check the link and make sure the form asks only for the information needed to start the conversation.

Choose one important visitor journey and test it from beginning to end. Fix the obstacles you find before planning a larger redesign.

Design around a real visitor journey

For LRS Travel, we connected the presentation of transfer services with online booking. That provides a concrete journey to test, from choosing a service to completing the enquiry. The website design needs to support each step along the way.