Udemezue John
Introduction.
Let’s be honest—people judge a website in seconds. One glance, a quick scroll, and they’ve already decided if they’re sticking around or clicking that back button. So if your site loads slowly, looks messy, or doesn’t work well on a phone, they’re gone. Fast.
I’ve seen it happen over and over again: businesses and creators invest time, money, and energy into building a website, but small mistakes end up costing them big. Traffic drops. Sales stall. Engagement? Nonexistent.
That’s why it’s so important to get the basics right. It’s not just about how your site looks. It’s about how it feels to use.
Is it easy to navigate? Does it load quickly? Can someone find what they’re looking for without getting frustrated?
In this post, I’m breaking down 8 common website mistakes that I see all the time—and how you can fix them today.
Let’s dive right into it.
1. Slow Load Times
If your site takes more than three seconds to load, you’re already losing people.
According to Google, 53% of mobile users leave a site that takes longer than 3 seconds to load. That’s more than half your audience gone before they even see your content.
Why it happens: Large image files, too many plugins, or cheap hosting.
Fix it:
Compress images with free tools like TinyPNG
Use caching plugins like WP Rocket (if you’re on WordPress)
Choose fast, reliable hosting—SiteGround or Cloudways are solid picks
Test your site with Google PageSpeed Insights
2. Not Mobile-Friendly
Over 60% of website traffic comes from phones. If your site doesn’t look good or work well on mobile, you’re missing out on most of your visitors.
Common signs your site isn’t mobile-friendly:
Text is too small
Buttons are hard to tap
Images don’t resize properly
Menus are broken
Fix it:
Use a responsive theme
Test your site using Google’s Mobile-Friendly Test
Simplify your layout for smaller screens
3. Confusing Navigation
Ever been to a site where you just can’t find what you’re looking for? Bad navigation makes people leave fast.
Common issues:
Too many menu options
Missing search bar
No clear call-to-action
Pages buried deep in the site
Fix it:
Keep your top menu simple (5–7 items max)
Make important pages easy to find (like Contact or Shop)
Use clear labels (no weird, vague names)
Add a site-wide search function
4. Annoying Pop-Ups
No one likes being bombarded with pop-ups, especially the moment they land on a site.
The problem:
Pop-ups that cover the whole screen
Asking for email addresses before offering value
Difficult to close on mobile
Fix it:
Delay pop-ups (let people browse first)
Make them easy to close
Offer something useful in return (like a discount or free guide)
5. Outdated Design
You don’t need the trendiest site ever, but if your site still looks like it’s from 2010, people notice.
Why it matters:
First impressions are visual
A modern design builds trust
It reflects your brand’s credibility
Fix it:
Use clean fonts and layouts
Stick to 2–3 main colors
Make sure your images are high-quality and up-to-date
If you’re using WordPress or Shopify, explore modern, minimal themes that feel fresh but are still easy to manage.
6. No Clear Call-to-Action (CTA)
You need to tell people what to do next—don’t assume they’ll figure it out on their own.
Examples of clear CTAs:
“Book a free call”
“Download the guide”
“Shop now”
“Join the newsletter”
Fix it:
Place CTAs in key areas (top banner, after blog posts, homepage)
Use action words
Keep it simple—don’t give too many choices at once
7. Too Much Text, Not Enough Structure
Big walls of text scare people off. No one wants to read a site that feels like a textbook.
Fix it:
Break up text into short paragraphs
Use headings (H2, H3) to guide the reader
Add bullet points and lists
Include images, icons, or videos to break things up
People scan before they read. Make your content easy to skim.
8. Broken Links or Missing Pages
A “404 Not Found” page is a fast way to lose trust. Broken links feel sloppy, and they hurt your SEO too.
Fix it:
Use tools like Broken Link Checker
Set up a custom 404 page that helps (like offering links to key pages)
Keep your site structure clean—avoid moving or deleting URLs without redirects
FAQs
How often should I audit my website for these mistakes?
I recommend doing a basic check every 3–6 months. Tools like Screaming Frog SEO Spider can help you spot issues fast.
What if I’m not a web developer?
No worries. Most of these fixes are non-technical, and tools like WordPress, Squarespace, or Wix make it easy to update your site without code.
How do I know if my website is turning people away?
Check your bounce rate in Google Analytics. If it’s higher than 70%, it might be a sign that people are landing and leaving without engaging.
Extra Resources
Final Thoughts
Building a great website isn’t about making it fancy. It’s about making it fast, easy to use, and helpful to the people who land on it.
I’ve worked with small businesses, creators, and nonprofits who saw huge improvements just by fixing these basics. Better engagement. More leads. Happier users.
You don’t need a massive redesign. Just start with the small stuff. That’s often what makes the biggest difference.
Now I’m curious—when was the last time you checked your website from a visitor’s point of view?
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