Creating your first website can be overwhelming, especially if you’re new to the world of digital marketing. There are so many elements to consider, from the design to the content and everything in between. But don’t let that scare you; after all, your website is a critical tool for communicating with your target audience and generating leads. This blog post will cover some of the most common mistakes people make when creating their websites.

However, before we dive in, it’s important to note that every site design is unique and should be tailored to suit the needs of your business and target audience. So while these tips may seem like common sense, they can be overlooked until it’s too late. That being said, let’s take a look at our top recommendations on how not to create a bad website.

Don’t Build It First

This one seems pretty obvious, but it can be easy to forget. Before you design your website, make sure you know the purpose of the site. If the purpose is unclear, you risk building a site that doesn’t have any impact or doesn’t resonate with your target audience. It's important to do some research and determine what type of message or story your business wants to convey with its website before getting started on the design process.

Only Include What’s Necessary

When you’re creating your website, it’s easy to get carried away and go overboard with all the bells and whistles. But if you start with too much content, you may find that your site becomes overwhelming or can be challenging to navigate. Just remember, less is more when it comes to your website.

Avoid Common Errors

Make sure your website fits with your brand's core values.

This may seem like an obvious mistake, but you’ll often find that many companies start with a website that has nothing to do with their company. It’s important to create websites that fit your business's brand by speaking about your company's benefits and emphasising the quality of products or services. This will help potential customers become more familiar with your offer and build trust in your brand. 

Create a website that also operates as an online store.

Many people feel like creating a website is enough to promote their business without going through all the steps of creating an online store. But this can actually be one of the most costly mistakes because it won't benefit your company as much as if you had done both. A well-designed website is essential, but an online store allows you to provide more accurate information about pricing, inventory, and delivery times for different countries than just on the site itself.

Plus, it helps potential customers see what they are buying and get better insight into how much they are actually purchasing from you before they decide to do business with you.

Do Your Research for Website Tools and Software

Many people mistake using a website drag and drop builder without thoroughly researching the tool and its capabilities - the impact it has on loading speed, the endless number of plugins, or additional software that you might need as you on. 

Some platforms even impact on your SEO - meaning they have limited control over metadata (you can't customise your SEO) - so they go with the first website template that populates well on Google. But what if that template doesn’t work well in your niche?

You may end up with a website that’s difficult to navigate and doesn’t generate leads. It’s important to consider all factors when creating your site; don’t just rely on easy-to-use tools. Ask around and find out what others in your industry are using. 

Don’t Specify Goals Before You Build It

Starting an online business is a big decision, and creating your website should be no different. But one conclusion that many people make too soon before they even reach their target audience is to specify the goals of their website. Before you even start, think about what you want your site to do for your business. That will help guide you through the process of design and content creation.

Recap...

1. Don't forget about your logo and your website's colour scheme.
2. Don't forget to create content that will please the target audience you're trying to reach.
3. Don't forget to create a clean design that is easy to navigate and understand.
4. Don't forget to consider accessibility! Your site should be mobile-friendly and work on both desktop and mobile devices.
5. Don't forget about content marketing; it is integral to lead generation, brand awareness, and customer service!