Your website is often the first impression customers get of your business. But even the most visually stunning sites can fail to convert visitors into customers if common design mistakes are made.
Here are the 10 biggest website design mistakes that could be costing you conversions and how to fix them.
1. Slow Loading Speeds
If your site takes more than 3 seconds to load, most visitors will leave.
Fix: Optimise images, use caching, and invest in quality hosting.
2. Poor Mobile Experience
With mobile now dominating UK internet traffic, a non-responsive design means lost customers.
Fix: Adopt a mobile-first web design approach.
3. Cluttered Layouts
Too much text, too many images, or confusing menus overwhelm visitors.
Fix: Keep layouts clean, with plenty of whitespace and simple navigation.
4. Weak Calls-to-Action (CTAs)
If users don’t know what to do next, they won’t convert.
Fix: Use clear, action-driven CTAs like “Book a Free Consultation.”
5. Poor SEO Structure
A beautiful site without SEO will struggle to attract visitors.
Fix: Optimise headings, meta tags, and URLs for keywords.
6. Stock Photo Overload
Generic stock images make your brand forgettable.
Fix: Invest in custom photography or authentic brand visuals.
7. Hidden Contact Information
If visitors can’t quickly find how to contact you, they’ll leave.
Fix: Place phone, email, and CTAs in the header/footer.
8. Ignoring Accessibility
Not making your website accessible excludes potential customers.
Fix: Use alt text, proper colour contrast, and keyboard-friendly navigation.
9. Inconsistent Branding
A mismatched design can damage trust.
Fix: Ensure fonts, colours, and tone match your brand identity.
10. No Trust Signals
Without testimonials, case studies, or security badges, users hesitate to convert.
Fix: Add reviews, certifications, and guarantees to build credibility.
Conclusion
Website design isn’t just about looks — it’s about function. Avoiding these mistakes ensures your site is built to attract, engage, and convert.
👉 Need a high-converting site? Explore our Web Design services.
The most common mistakes include slow loading speeds, poor mobile optimisation, cluttered layouts, weak CTAs, and lack of trust signals.
Poor design can frustrate users, reduce trust, and cause visitors to leave before taking action. Even small design issues can have a big impact on conversion rates.
Optimise image sizes, enable caching, use a content delivery network (CDN), and invest in high-quality hosting to improve speed.
With mobile traffic dominating in the UK, websites that aren’t mobile-friendly risk losing the majority of their audience and conversions.
Look for signs such as high bounce rates, low engagement, poor mobile performance, or visitors dropping off before completing a purchase or enquiry.
