If you are launching your first website, it goes without saying you will want to avoid some common web design gaffes when starting out.
However, there are some tactics you could employ that could damage the user experience, navigation or ranking in Google. As a result, this can lead to a smaller customer base and profit margin.
If you want to set your site up for success from day one, find out how to avoid common web design mistakes.
Pick the Perfect Domain Name
Choosing the wrong domain name can have serious repercussions for your business. If it is too long and hard to remember, you can guarantee people will find it difficult to discover your brand online.
For this reason, you should create a domain with your brand and services in mind, and ensure you keep the web address both short and sweet because this way, it is easy to recall. As soon as you have identified the right URL for your brand, confirm the domain name availability, which you should then buy before someone else does.
Incorporate Various Call to Actions
Many brands make the big mistake of failing to incorporate clear call to actions (CTAs) into their website. However, they can support a buyer’s journey on your site, as it will indicate who you are, what you do and the action you want a customer to take on a page.
Every page on your website should feature a compelling CTA to encourage a user to convert in some way, such as buying a product, calling your brand, or subscribing to your email marketing campaign.
Strong CTAs can include the following phrases:
Aim to keep a call to action simple and clear, so a customer knows exactly what they need to do on a webpage.
Minimal Web Content
High-quality web content can serve multiple purposes on your website. Not only can it provide your visitors with informative, entertaining copy, but it can also boost your ranking in the search engines, improve your site’s shareability and can convince readers to become customers. If you have next to no content on your website, it is likely your site will be paying the price for it in the likes of Google and Bing.
A Failure to Update Your Website
Cybersecurity is, unfortunately, a real and significant threat to every website. Sadly, if you fail to update your site’s theme and plugins regularly, your website could become vulnerable to numerous hacking attacks.
Thankfully, many modern content management systems, such as WordPress, feature auto-updates to protect websites. It might also be beneficial to periodically change your passwords, embrace two-factor authentication, and to install a dependable website security plugin.
While no website is perfect, there are some big mistakes you must aim to avoid when launching a website. If you follow the above top tips, you could develop an engaging, user-friendly, secure website that ranks high in the search engines.