[vc_row css_animation=”” row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”full_width” angled_section=”no” text_align=”left” background_image_as_pattern=”without_pattern”][vc_column width=”1/6″][/vc_column][vc_column width=”2/3″][vc_single_image image=”31408″ img_size=”large” qode_css_animation=””][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text]The world of commerce is evolving rapidly, and it can be difficult to keep up with all the changes. As more stores close their doors for good, new ones are popping up every day.
The competition is fierce in this industry- so if you want your store to last in the long run, then you have to do something different from everyone else!
In fact, every day, entrepreneurs are faced with the challenge of designing a website that will not only satisfy their customers but also generate revenue.
The thing is, a staggering amount of websites are actually built by people who don’t know what they’re doing and, as such, end up making mistakes that cost them dearly in terms of traffic, revenue, conversions, and more.
It can be difficult to know what to do in these situations when you don’t have the knowledge or skill set to design a website from scratch.
In this blog post, we will use our firsthand experience as a web designing agency to inform you of the common mistakes people make when designing their own website and how you could correct them, so they don’t happen again![/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text]
Common Mistakes of Designing a Website
A good design is imperative for any successful online business, but there are many ways that designers can get tripped up when designing a store if they’re not aware of what goes into it or what best practices are out there. Due to the latter, it might be tempting to copy a competitor’s website. However, there are a few reasons why you should refrain from copying your competitor’s webpage.
Here are the common mistakes designers commit when designing a website:[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text]
Choosing the Wrong Platform
The first thing you need to do when designing a website is deciding on a platform. People often overlook this important step, and it can lead to many problems down the line.
It is important to understand how these platforms differ in terms of features, ease of use, and cost before making any decisions. To avoid this, you need to know what your options are and how they will affect your final product.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text]
Not Having a Logo
One of the first few steps to consider when designing your  website is deciding on a logo. If you don’t have one, it can be difficult to decide on colors for the rest of your website or even where to start with building out your store.
Logo design is an essential aspect of any business. A logo not only establishes the brand’s visual identity but also generates branding opportunities and can be used in marketing campaigns to help grow a company.
Logos make it easier to see what is being sold on the website in terms of products and services. Without a logo, customers may find themselves scrolling through pages in order to find out what you offer.
Plus, if they know that there is no logo when they visit your website, then they will most likely leave because it’s difficult to tell what you’re selling without seeing a logo upfront.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text]
No Images
One of the most important elements of good design for an online store is imagery. Great images are what will draw customers in and encourage them to spend more time on your website browsing products that they might want to buy.
Having great visuals helps you create a better user experience for potential customers who are visiting your website or social media pages. It’s also imperative that you have high-quality photos of all your products, especially if there are variations in color, style, or size available.
Most importantly, people want to see what they are buying. They want to know what the color of a dress looks like or if there are any defects in the product. For many customers, visual content on your website could make or break their decision whether or not to purchase from you.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text]
Having no (or Excessive) Social Proof
There are many different factors that go into designing an  website, but one of the most important is social proof.
Social proof is a psychological phenomenon that refers to people’s reliance on others’ opinions, behaviors, and beliefs to guide their own choices. This can be seen in everything from online shopping websites to restaurant reviews.
You need to make sure your product pages have social proof on them, but not too much. If there’s no social proof or if the reviews seem disingenuous (like they’re all five stars), then customers will be less likely to purchase from your website.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text]
Incorrect or Incomplete Contact Information
Websites are highly competitive, and if there is one thing you can do to set yourself apart from the competition, it’s ensuring your contact information is accurate.
Incorrect or incomplete contact information on a website will not only lead to lost business but also create a bad impression of your company in general.
In addition, if your contact information is incorrect or incomplete, then customers may not be able to locate it when they need help. Customers like quick responses, so make sure that your contact information is easy for them to find![/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text]
Having no SEO Strategy
Search engines are continually changing, and so should your strategy.
Focusing on SEO from the beginning of a website’s development process can help ensure that it ranks higher in SERPs (Search Engine Results Pages) and also helps visitors find what they’re looking for more easily.
SEO isn’t just about keywords, though – there are many other factors that can impact rankings, such as links, metadata, content length, page loading time, etc.
Without any SEO, your business will be lost in obscurity, and no one will find it when they search for what you’re selling.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text]
Not Optimizing the Website for Mobile Devices
Mobile internet usage is on the rise and will continue to grow. In fact, it’s estimated that by 2019, mobile internet users will account for more than 50% of all people online.
As a result, it has never been more important to make sure your website is optimized for mobile devices. If you design your website without considering how it looks on a smartphone or tablet, you could be doing yourself and your customers a disservice.
If you’re looking for more traffic and increased sales, it’s vital to make sure your website is optimized for viewing on these smaller screens.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text]
Overusing Pop-Ups
Nearly every website is guilty of using pop-ups to sell products. However, many designers and companies overdo it with the number of pop-ups they use, which can lead to a cluttered and unprofessional website.
What seems like cute little animations on your screen can be very annoying for customers who are trying to browse through product pages or compare prices. This is especially true for mobile users who have smaller screens.
It’s best to stick with more subtle ways of marketing your products rather than irritating potential customers with pop-ups that they can’t get rid of without closing the tab completely.
Using pop-ups too often can result in decreased conversion rates because people may become frustrated with the number of times they’re being interrupted during their shopping experience.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text]
Not Doing any A/B Testing
A/B Testing is a process by which two versions of the same design are created and then shown to different groups of users, with one version being shown as a control. The idea behind A/B testing is that you test out various designs and measure how each user reacts to them.
This can help determine what design will have the most impact on your customers, as well as increase conversion rates for those who visit your website.
With all the time and money invested in website development, it’s important not to neglect A/B testing during this process – even if it means hiring an outside company or spending some extra time doing it yourself!
If you’re not doing any A/B testing when designing a website, then you’re missing out on the opportunity to improve user engagement and conversion rates.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text]
Ineffective CTA
Many websites have a call-to-action button at the bottom of their page. But these buttons are often not effective because they require the user to scroll down and click them.
They can also be difficult to find, making it even more likely that customers will simply leave the website instead of converting it into a sale.
As an alternative, consider placing your call-to-action near the top of your web design so that users don’t need to scroll through all of your content in order to complete a purchase or register for an account.
You should also pay attention to the wording, design, and placement of your call-to-action button, so it is clear what you want people to do on your website.
For example, if you are asking visitors for their email address in order to sign up for a mailing list, be sure they know they will receive emails from you by including “sign me up” or “email updates” in the text of the button.
You can also include a free sample with an offer like “$1 off coupon with purchase.” If people don’t know what they’re signing up for, then they may never take action![/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text]
Wrapping It Up…
It’s no secret that is a booming industry, and it’s not hard to see why: people like to shop for clothes, electronics, make-up, and more from the comfort of their own homes. However, there are some common mistakes that designers make when designing a website that can be easily avoided by knowing how it goes around.
From not considering how a user will interact with your design to forgetting about mobile users altogether, it’s important to keep these in mind as you’re designing your website. These mistakes are just one of the many signs signaling that your website needs a re-design as they can cause a customer to leave and never come back! Aside from taking into account these mistakes to avoid, it would be good to also consider the basic design guidelines when designing a website.
MediaPlus Digital is an established web designing agency in Singapore with over 10 years of experience with designing and building websites. If you have any queries, feel free to reach out and we would be happy to assist.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/6″][/vc_column][/vc_row]
