It’s hard not to judge a book by its cover, especially in this digital age. And this is why the website is usually the first impression customers have of your business and why 75% of users judge a company’s credibility by its website design. 

This means a lot of people will stop engaging with a website if the content or layout is unattractive. In 2025, website design mistakes will impact not just credibility but SEO and overall user experience. 

In this article, we’ll walk you through the website design mistakes to avoid when building your site and the fix for each issue.  

10 Website Design Mistakes to Avoid in 2025

Whether you’re building a site from scratch or revamping your current one, you should avoid the following mistakes to stand out online. 

1. Overlooking Mobile Optimization

Mobile traffic currently accounts for  more than half of web use and this is going to be the same In 2025. Ignoring mobile optimization is one of the most critical website design mistakes to avoid. Mobile-optimized websites adapt to any screen size, providing a seamless experience and fast loading times across all devices.

Poor mobile optimization not only disrupts user experience but also impacts SEO, as Google now prioritizes mobile-first indexing. This means that your site’s mobile performance directly influences your search ranking. You should ensure mobile compatibility with clean, readable fonts and accessible buttons to enhance user engagement and reduce bounce rates.

2. Slow Website Speed and Performance

Speed is a design factor and if your website takes more than a few seconds to load, visitors are likely to leave before exploring your content. Websites that load within 2 seconds have a significantly higher conversion rate. 

Slow load times not only frustrate visitors but also hurt SEO rankings. Google considers website speed a key ranking factor, meaning sluggish performance can prevent potential customers from even finding you. Compressing images, leveraging browser caching, and minimizing CSS and JavaScript are some ways to enhance site speed.

3. Poor Navigation Structure

A clear navigation is the roadmap of your website, guiding users to easily access the information they need. Poor navigation, such as overcrowded menus or confusing structures, can frustrate visitors, leading them to leave your site.

A well-organized navigation system makes your website feel easy to explore, increasing the likelihood that visitors will stay longer and engage with your content. Some tips to improve navigation are to: 

• stick to a clear menu structure with limited options
• avoid burying essential pages within multiple layers. 

With easy navigation, you improve both user experience and SEO.

4. Cluttered or Overly Complex Design

A cluttered interface is a surefire way to overwhelm visitors. While creative design is important, a site that’s complex, busy, or disorganized can confuse users, leading to high bounce rates. Keep your layout simple, with clear visual hierarchy and sufficient whitespace, so that users can focus on what matters most.

Also avoid using too many colors, fonts, or decorative elements that detract from the core message. Go for a clean, minimalist design that emphasizes clarity and ease of use. 

5. Using Low-Quality Images or Graphics

Images are a vital part of website design, but using low-quality visuals can harm your brand’s reputation. Blurry or pixelated images make your site appear unprofessional and can deter potential customers.

Invest in high-quality, relevant images that reflect your brand’s identity. Optimizing images for web can also improve load times, creating a smoother experience for visitors. Visuals play a significant role in forming first impressions, so prioritize quality.

6. Neglecting SEO Best Practices in Design

Even the most beautiful website may go unseen without proper SEO. Neglecting on-page SEO elements like metadata, alt text for images, and header tags is a common design mistake that limits your site’s visibility on search engines.

To address this, make sure that each page has unique title tags and meta descriptions and make use of descriptive alt text for images. Implementing SEO best practices from the design stage not only helps with search engine rankings but also improves accessibility for visually impaired users. You can also refer to this article on SEO best practices. 

7. Lack of Clear Call-to-Action (CTAs)

A website with clear CTAs will guide visitors toward taking action, whether it’s signing up for a newsletter, purchasing a product, or contacting your team.

Place your CTAs strategically throughout your website and make them visually distinct to catch attention. For example, a contact form should be easy to locate and a “shop now” button should stand out on the page.  Ensure that each page has a relevant CTA to drive visitors towards conversion.

8. Disregarding Accessibility Standards

Accessibility should not be an afterthought when designing your website. Making your website accessible to all users, including those with disabilities, is both a moral responsibility and a practical business decision. Accessible sites meet the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) and can serve a wider audience. Elements such as alt text, screen reader compatibility, keyboard-friendly navigation and even color contrast can contribute to a more inclusive user experience.

Accessibility will expand your reach and can also enhance SEO, as search engines favor sites that prioritize usability. Avoiding this common design mistake helps ensure your site is welcoming to all potential customers.

9. Failing to Update Content and Visuals Regularly

A static website can appear outdated and untrustworthy. When you refresh your content and visuals, you demonstrate that your business is active and engaged. Outdated information, broken links, or old visuals can discourage visitors and hurt your search rankings.

A best practice to address this website issue is to develop a content calendar to keep your website updated with blog posts, company news, or product updates. Regular updates not only improve user engagement but also signal to search engines that your site is relevant.

10. Not Testing Your Design Across Browsers and Devices

Cross-browser compatibility testing ensures that your website functions smoothly on various browsers and devices. A design that looks great on Chrome may break on Safari or fail to load on mobile.

When you test across platforms, you can identify errors such as design inconsistencies, functionality issues, and performance problems that would otherwise harm user experience. This step is essential for maintaining a consistent appearance across all user touchpoints.

The Impact of Website Design Mistakes on User Experience and SEO

Each of these common website design mistakes can affect user experience and SEO performance. For instance, a slow or inaccessible website can drive visitors away, reducing your engagement and rankings.

The good news is that each mistake has a solution. Identify them and correct each pitfall you notice. 

How to Identify and Fix Website Design Mistakes

Conducting a website audit is the  first step in pinpointing design issues. You should use tools like Google PageSpeed Insights for performance, or a heat mapping tool to see where users are clicking (or not clicking). By addressing each mistake, you can create a more user-friendly website that aligns with modern design standards.

Conclusion

Remember, your website is an extension of your brand—keeping it optimized, user-friendly, and up-to-date is key to long-term success. You set the foundation for a successful and profitable digital presence by avoiding these common website design mistakes. 

At Astract, we’re here to help you achieve a website that not only looks great but also performs exceptionally.

For expert guidance in web design, digital marketing, or content strategy, reach out to us at hello@astract.com.