Last updated: July 30, 2023
La creating a website, it's like building a house. We must think carefully about every detail and avoid pitfalls. And just like a beautiful home attracts more visitors, a good website does the same for a business.
There is no “magic recipe” for making a perfect website. But one thing is certain: you have to organize things well from the start. This organization not only helps visitors find what they are looking for, but also helps search engines better understand the site.
In this article, I will tell you about the Most common mistakes when creating a website. Little stupid things that can be expensive. So, hang in there, we're going to take an overview to help you avoid these pitfalls! Here are the mistakes to avoid when designing a website.
Mistakes to avoid when designing a website
Now let's move on to the tricky part: common mistakes to avoid when designing a website. From defining objectives to the independence of your management, every detail counts.
Not correctly defining your goals
One of the first mistakes to avoid is not clearly defining your objectives. You need to understand who your target audience is and what their expectations are.
A well-designed website doesn't just compete; it meets the specific needs of its users.
The illusion of the free website
When it comes to building your website, avoid free solutions at all costs. I have never come across a provider that offers free site design that is scalable, flexible, and customizable.
Most of the time, these services are free for a limited time and then force you to display a multitude of advertisements on your homepage, which can be harmful to your business.
Leave your site under construction for months
It is best to avoid having your site under construction for an extended period of time. This can be harmful to your brand image and perception of your business.
If you can't make a complete site immediately, consider launching a mini-site first, which you can then develop and enrich using CMS tools.
Dependence on its webmaster or web agency
Today, you don't need to be a technical expert to make basic changes to your website. It is possible to change your page style, menu, add a new page, etc. without advanced technical skills.
Simply ask your web agency to integrate a CMS (Content Management System) tool. This will allow you to manage your site yourself and no longer be totally dependent on your webmaster for simple modifications.
Do not use a tracking tool
There is nothing more painful than putting a website online and not knowing how and by whom it is used. During all the activity of the website, it is important to have some statistics about it, such as:
- What are the most visited pages?
- In which regions are my visitors located?
- How long do they stay on the site and on which pages?
- Are my web advertising campaigns working well?
- What is the bounce rate?
- What are the keywords used to access my site?
- ...
Use Google Analytics to adapt your site according to the real needs of Internet users.
Mistakes to avoid when writing a website
Having explored design mistakes, let's now tackle another crucial aspect: writing content for your website. Common pitfalls can hurt your search engine rankings, so let's take a look at how to avoid them.
1. The copy/paste trap
Resist the temptation to copy and paste content from other sites. Even if a topic intrigues you, take the time to approach it in a unique way. Google knows how to spot duplicate content, which could harm your visibility.
2. Omitting Content and Page Structure Optimization
The positioning of your site on Google depends largely on the keywords used by Internet users. So be sure to place these keywords strategically in your pages, for example in the URL, description, titles and anchor links. Also remember the importance of keyword density and the use of synonyms.
3. Concentrating on expressions that are too generic
It is generally more effective to focus on “long tail” or “geolocated” expressions rather than generic terms. For example, “web agency specializing in SEO in La Rochelle” will generally be more efficient than simply “web agency”. Although the long tail strategy may require the creation of more specialized pages, it has the advantage of responding more precisely to the needs of the Internet user.
4. Do not vary the types of content
Don’t hesitate to diversify your content by using a variety of formats and platforms. Share your documents, presentations, images and videos, always mentioning your site and your references. With the growing importance of multimedia search, this is an opportunity not to be missed.
Conclusion
Creating and writing an effective website is a challenge, but with a good understanding of common mistakes to avoid, you can make a difference. Whether it's design or copywriting, every detail counts.
Remember the importance of a clear structure, original content, proper SEO optimization and a variety of content to attract and retain the attention of your visitors. And above all, remember that the ultimate goal is to meet the specific needs of your users.
By avoiding common pitfalls and focusing on a quality user experience, you can not only attract, but also retain your visitors, turning them into satisfied customers. Good luck with your website creation project!