Top 5 Common Mistakes New Website Owners Make and How to Avoid Them

At the start of any digital project, website design is a pivotal step. But in the rush and excitement, many new website owners make seemingly simple mistakes that can cost them dearly in the long run.

In this article, we highlight the 5 most common mistakes beginners make when creating their websites, with practical tips to avoid them from the start.

1- Choosing a template that is not suitable for the nature of the project.

Many people start using ready-made templates without considering their suitability for the type of project or its target audience. The result: a visually appealing website that doesn't serve its intended purpose.

How do you avoid this?

– Choose a simple, easy-to-navigate template.

– Make sure its design supports the content you will provide (store? blog? services?).

– Test the template on different devices before committing to it.

2- Ignoring the user experience (UX)

A website isn't just for display, it's for interaction. If it's not easy to navigate, or if the user gets lost while navigating, they'll quickly leave.

Quick tips:

– Make menus clear and simple.

– Reduce the number of clicks to access information.

– Test the site as if you were a first-time visitor.

3- Neglecting to improve site speed

A slow website equals lost visitors, especially on mobile, where users expect very fast loading times.

How to improve speed?

– Use compressed images of the highest quality possible.

– Reduce unnecessary additives.

– Use reliable hosting.

4- Forgetting the basics of SEO

Website design isn't enough to make it appear in search engines. It doesn't just have to be beautiful; it also needs to be technically optimized.

What to watch out for?

– Use structured headings (H1, H2…).

– Writing a meta description for each page.

– Use keywords in content and titles.

– Set ALT description for images.

5- Launching without comprehensive testing

Some website owners launch their website before ensuring it works properly on all devices and browsers.

Make sure:

– Display the site correctly on mobile, tablet, and computer.

– Test all links and buttons.

– Ensure that forms (such as the contact form) are working properly.

– Review spelling and grammatical errors.

Conclusion

Building a successful website doesn't just mean looking good, it means working efficiently, providing an excellent user experience, and clearly serving your project's goals.

By avoiding these five common mistakes, you'll lay the right foundation for a professional website from the start, saving yourself a lot of future modifications and technical issues.