Top 6 Common Website Mistakes Made by Small Businesses

Your website is often the first impression potential customers have of your business. But what happens if that very important first impression goes wrong because of some common website mistakes? Sadly, many small businesses lose potential clients due to common website mistakes. But worry not, because all of these common website mistakes have a solution.

Common Website Mistakes that small Businesses make

Mistake 1: Poor Navigation

Good navigation is essential for a positive user experience. Visitors should be able to find what they're looking for quickly and easily, without having to sort through countless menus. Poor navigation can frustrate users, causing them to leave your site without engaging with your content or making a purchase. Common navigation issues include unclear menu labels, too many menu items, or nested submenus that are hard to follow.

An effective way to avoid poor navigation is to keep your menu simple. Use clear, descriptive labels, and limit the number of menu items to no more than seven. Consider using a breadcrumb trail to help users understand where they are on your site and how to get back to previous pages. A search bar can also be a valuable addition, allowing users to find specific content quickly. If you have a very extensive set of pages, consider using dropdowns and mega menus to properly categorize all your content.

To summarize what you should do:  

• Keep the menu simple  
• Use clear, descriptive labels  
• Limit menu items to seven  
• Implement breadcrumb trails for easy navigation  
• Include a search bar for quick content access  
• Make use of Dropdowns and Mega Menus

Mistake 2: Ignoring Mobile Optimization

With more than half of web traffic coming from mobile devices like smartphones or tablets, having a mobile-friendly website is no longer optional—it's a necessity. Ignoring mobile optimization can lead to a poor user experience for a significant portion of your audience. A non-responsive design can make your site difficult to read and navigate on smaller screens, causing visitors to leave in frustration and even viewing your business in a bad light.

To ensure your site is mobile-friendly, adopt responsive web design techniques. Use flexible grid layouts, scalable images, and make sure to adjust the text sizes on mobile breakpoints to create a seamless experience across all devices. Test your site on various devices and screen sizes to make sure it looks and functions well everywhere. Most, if not all Website Builders have integrated features that allow you to view your Website in different screen sizes & Breakpoints.

To summarize what you should do:  

• Use flexible layouts
• Make sure your images scale correctly
• Adjust the text sizes for the mobile versions
• Review all changes and pages across multiple Devices and Breakpoints

Mistake 3: Cluttered Design

In 2024, clean design is more crucial than ever for creating seamless user experiences. A minimalist approach, with ample white space and a focus on essential elements, helps users navigate easily and find information quickly. By prioritizing clarity and simplicity, designers can enhance engagement and retention, making sites more appealing and effective.

To avoid a cluttered design, focus on simplicity and clarity. Use a clean layout with plenty of white space to give your content room to breathe. Limit the number of images and other visual elements on each page, and use concise, easy-to-read text. Prioritize the most important information and make it easy for visitors to find what they need.

If you are not comfortable with creating such a design yourself, consider using a high-quality website template or hiring a web designer to do all the heavy lifting for you. There are plenty of affordable options out there, so make sure to pick the perfect option for yourself and your business.

To summarize what you should do:  

• Focus on simplicity and clarity  
• Use a clean layout with plenty of white space  
• Limit the number of images and visual elements  
• Use concise, easy-to-read text (say no to novel length paragraphs!)
• Prioritize important information  
• Consider templates or hiring a web designer if you need help with the design

Mistake 4: Overlooking SEO Strategy

SEO, or Search Engine Optimization, is the practice of enhancing your website to improve its visibility on search engines like Google. By optimizing various elements such as keywords, content quality, and site structure, you help ensure that your business gets found by the right audience when they search for relevant information online. Bad SEO is one of the most common website mistakes small businesses do!

Search engine optimization (SEO) is critical for driving organic traffic to your website. Without an effective SEO strategy, your site may not rank well in search engine results, making it difficult for new customers to find you. Common SEO mistakes include not using relevant keywords, neglecting meta tags, and failing to create high-quality content.

To improve your SEO, start by conducting keyword research to identify what exactly your target audience is searching for. A good example of keyword research software is ahref or surferseo. While expensive, these tools are hands down the best SEO and keyword research tools out there. A more affordable, but not as extensive option would be a tool like scopes.so.

Use your researched keywords strategically in your content, meta tags, and image alt text. Additionally, focus on creating valuable, informative content that addresses your audience's needs and interests. Regularly update your site with fresh content to keep it relevant and engaging.

To summarize what you should do:  

• Conduct thorough keyword research to find relevant terms
• Use SEO & Keyword Research Tools
• Incorporate your chosen keywords naturally throughout your content
• Optimize all your meta tags
• Write descriptive image alt text that incorporates keywords
• Create valuable, engaging content
• Update your website regularly with new content
• Monitor your website’s performance using analytics tools
• Stay up to date with SEO best practices and algorithm updates

Mistake 5: Failing to Update Content Regularly  

One way to keep your audience engaged is by sharing fresh and relevant content. When businesses let their blogs or news sections go stale, they risk losing visitors who expect timely updates. Regular updates not only help to maintain your site's relevance in search engine rankings but also keep your audience informed and coming back for more. To avoid this, create a content calendar that outlines what and when you'll post new articles or updates. This helps you stay organized and ensures that your website remains a reliable resource for your audience.

Creating content based on keyword research helps boost visibility and engagement by aligning posts with what your audience is actively searching for, avoiding the mistake of writing content without understanding audience needs.

To summarize what you should do:  

• Update your content regularly  
• Create a content calendar  
• Focus on relevant and timely topics
• Create Posts based on your Keyword research

Mistake 6: Neglecting Website Speed  

Nobody likes waiting for a website to load. Ideally, your site should be up and running in less than three seconds, especially in a fast-paced world where apps like TikTok and Youtube Shorts exist. If it's slow, people might leave before they even check out your content.

What slows things down? Well, big images, too many plugins, and clunky code can all be culprits. To speed things up, try optimizing your images and reduce the amount of third-party plugins. It's also a good idea to test your site’s speed regularly to see what needs fixing. Websites like Pagespeed Insights are a great resource to test for free!

A speedy site doesn’t just make visitors happy; it also helps your search engine rankings. Here's a quick checklist to keep things running smoothly:

• Optimize images for faster loading
• Cut down on the number of plugins
• Regularly test your site’s speed with online tools

Conclusion

Your website is a critical tool for attracting and retaining customers. By avoiding common website mistakes, you can create a positive user experience, drive more traffic, and increase conversions. Focus on improving navigation, mobile optimization, SEO, and overall design to ensure your site is both functional and visually appealing.

Investing time and effort into your website can yield significant benefits for your small business. Stay up to date with the latest web design trends and best practices to keep your site fresh and engaging. Remember, a well-crafted website is an invaluable asset that can help you grow your business and achieve long-term success.