Common Website Design Mistakes Every Business Should Avoid Today

A well-crafted website can make or break a business. For homeware brands, health and wellness companies, and retail businesses, having a professional online presence is essential. Poor website design not only frustrates users but can also reduce credibility, traffic, and sales. 


This guide highlights common website design mistakes and offers practical ways to avoid them.


Neglecting Mobile Responsiveness

With more people browsing on smartphones and tablets, a website that isn’t mobile-friendly can quickly lose visitors. Neglecting mobile responsiveness affects user experience, making pages hard to read or navigate. Slow loading times, broken layouts, or buttons that don’t work properly can deter potential customers.


To avoid this, test your website across multiple devices and screen sizes. Choose a design that automatically adjusts for mobile and tablet users. Responsive design ensures every visitor enjoys a seamless experience, regardless of their device, which is essential for maintaining a professional online presence.


Cluttered Layouts and Poor Navigation

Overcrowded pages and confusing navigation menus can overwhelm users. Visitors should be able to find information quickly without feeling lost. Using too many colours, fonts, or unnecessary graphics creates a chaotic experience.


Clean and organised web page design improves readability and guides users naturally through your content. Prioritise whitespace, logical menu structures, and clear headings. An intuitive layout encourages users to stay longer on your site and engage with your products or services.

Slow Loading Times

Website speed is a critical factor for user retention and search rankings. Visitors expect pages to load in seconds; delays can lead to high bounce rates and lost opportunities. Large images, poorly optimised files, and excessive plugins often contribute to slow loading.


To address this, compress images, streamline code, and choose reliable hosting. Optimising speed not only improves user experience but also enhances the effectiveness of your best website builders by making the final website fast and responsive.


Inconsistent Branding and Visuals

A website should reflect your brand consistently. Inconsistent colours, fonts, or imagery can confuse visitors and reduce trust. Strong branding helps your audience recognise and remember your business, which is especially important for retail and homeware companies.


Maintain a consistent style across all pages. Use templates, brand guidelines, and high-quality visuals to reinforce your identity. Consistency builds credibility and ensures that your website looks polished and professional, a key element in choosing to design a website that represents your brand accurately.


Lack of Clear Calls-to-Action (CTAs)

Even a visually stunning website can fail if users are unsure what to do next. Weak or missing CTAs can prevent conversions and reduce engagement. Clear, action-oriented buttons guide visitors towards desired outcomes, such as making a purchase, signing up for a newsletter, or contacting your team.


Ensure every page has a purpose and directs users with a strong call-to-action. Combining these with effective layouts and responsive design ensures your visitors have a smooth journey. Professional web design services can help implement these strategies effectively, providing a website that converts traffic into loyal customers.


Avoiding these common
website design mistakes—mobile responsiveness, cluttered layouts, slow loading times, inconsistent branding, and unclear CTAs—ensures your website performs optimally. A website that is easy to navigate, fast, visually consistent, and action-oriented builds trust, encourages engagement, and supports business growth. Regularly reviewing your website with these factors in mind keeps it professional and effective.


ETA Web Design Doncaster specialises in professional, scalable, and results-driven website design for businesses in homeware, health and wellness, and retail sectors. Our expertise ensures your site is visually appealing, easy to navigate, and optimised for performance.


Update on X: Key
website design errors every business should steer clear of!

ETA Web Design Doncaster

01302 202 05612

101 Carr House Road

Doncaster, DN1 2BD

United Kingdom

October 2, 2025
Discover the essential tools for a smooth website build. ETA Web Design Doncaster offers professional guidance for homeware, wellness, and retail businesses creating a website.
September 27, 2025
Discover the difference between website developers and designers, understand website development costs, and learn how to choose the right professional for your business. ETA Web Design Doncaster provides expert, results-driven solutions for homeware, health and wellness, and retail brands.
September 20, 2025
Learn how to choose the right web designers for your business. Discover tips on evaluating portfolios, technical skills, communication, and website design cost to ensure a professional, scalable, and results-driven website.