Building a website is a big step for anyone, whether you’re a small business owner, a freelancer, or just someone wanting to share their ideas online. A website is like your online home, and it can help you connect with people, show what you do, and even sell things. 

But many people make mistakes when they try to create their own website. In this article, we’ll talk about ten common mistakes you should avoid while using a website builder. By knowing these mistakes, you can create a better website that works well and looks great.

Key Takeaways

• Always plan before you start building your website.
• Choose the best website builder that fits your needs.
• Do your research to understand what works best for your audience.
• Pick a domain name that is easy to remember and fits your brand.
• Make sure your website is user-friendly and easy to navigate.

1. Skipping The Planning Stage

One of the biggest mistakes people make when building a website is skipping the planning stage. Planning is essential because it helps you understand your goals, who your audience is, and how to reach them. Without a solid plan, your website might end up being unfocused and ineffective.

Why Planning Matters

• Defines Your Goals: What do you want your website to achieve? More sales? More visitors?
• Identifies Your Audience: Knowing who you are targeting helps tailor your content.
• Sets a Clear Direction: A plan gives you a roadmap to follow, making the process smoother.

Key Elements to Include in Your Plan

1. Business Objectives: What are your main goals?
2. Target Audience: Who are you trying to reach?
3. Content Outline: What pages and content will you include?

 Remember: Taking the time to plan can save you from many common mistakes later on. A well-thought-out plan leads to a more effective and engaging website. 

By focusing on these aspects during the planning stage, you can create a website that truly reflects your brand and meets your needs. Don’t underestimate the power of a good plan!

2. Choosing The Wrong Platform

Choosing the right platform for your website is essential for its success. With so many options available, it can be confusing to pick the best one. A poor choice can lead to issues like limited features or bad design. Here are some key points to consider when selecting a platform:

• Flexibility: Ensure the platform allows you to customize your site as needed.
• Ease of Use: Look for a user-friendly interface that makes building your site simple.
• Support: Choose a platform that offers good customer support in case you run into problems.

Platform	Flexibility	Ease of Use	Support
WordPress	High	Medium	Excellent
Your Wix reviews	Medium	High	Good
Squarespace	Medium	High	Good
Shopify	High	Medium	Excellent

 

 Picking the right platform can save you time and frustration in the long run. Take your time to research and choose wisely! 

3. Not Doing Any Research

When building a website, research is essential. It helps you understand your audience and industry better. Here are some key points to consider:

1. Know Your Audience: Understand who your customers are and what they need. This will help you create a website that appeals to them.
2. Study Your Competitors: Look at what similar businesses are doing. Check their website designs and see how they attract visitors.
3. Explore Online Communities: Visit forums and social media where your target audience hangs out. This can give you insights into their preferences and pain points.

Research Area	Importance
Audience Understanding	Helps tailor your content
Competitor Analysis	Identifies best practices
SEO Knowledge	Improves search engine ranking

 

 Researching your market can save you time and money in the long run. It ensures that your website meets the needs of your audience and stands out in a crowded market. 

By skipping research, you risk creating a website that doesn’t connect with your audience or meet their expectations. Make sure to invest time in understanding the landscape before diving into design.

4. Choosing The Wrong Domain Name

Choosing the right domain name is crucial for your website’s success. Your domain name is your online identity, and it should reflect your brand and be easy to remember. With over 1.13 billion websites, finding a unique and suitable domain can be challenging. Here are some tips to avoid common mistakes:

• Keep it simple: Choose a name that is easy to spell and pronounce.
• Avoid numbers and hyphens: These can confuse users and make it harder to remember your domain.
• Consider alternatives: Think about registering misspellings or variations of your domain name to capture more traffic.

TLD Options	Description	Best For
.com	Most popular and widely recognized	General use
.net	Originally for networks, now versatile	Tech companies
.org	Typically used by non-profits	Non-profit organizations

 

 A good domain name should hint at your industry and allow for future growth. Don’t rush this decision; it can impact your brand’s visibility and success. 

5. Choosing The Wrong Hosting Plan

When building a website, selecting the right hosting plan is essential for its success. A poor choice can lead to slow loading times, frequent downtimes, and security issues. Here are some key factors to consider when choosing a hosting plan:

• Disk Space: Ensure you have enough space for your website files, images, and videos.
• Bandwidth: This determines how much data can be transferred to and from your site. Choose a plan that can handle your expected traffic.
• Support: Look for a hosting provider that offers 24/7 customer support in case you encounter issues.

Feature	Basic Plan	Standard Plan	Premium Plan
Disk Space	10 GB	50 GB	100 GB
Bandwidth	100 GB/mo	Unlimited	Unlimited
Support	Email only	24/7 Chat	24/7 Phone

 

Just be sure that the plan you select offers the features your site requires. A good hosting plan can make a significant difference in your website’s performance and reliability.

 Choosing the right hosting plan is not just about price; it’s about ensuring your website runs smoothly and securely. 

By taking the time to evaluate your options, you can avoid the common mistake of choosing the wrong hosting plan, which can lead to frustration and lost opportunities.

6. Putting Aesthetics Over User Experience

When creating a website, it’s easy to get caught up in how it looks. However, user experience should always come first. A beautiful design can attract visitors, but if they can’t navigate your site easily, they will leave. Here are some key points to consider:

• Usability is crucial: A stunning design means nothing if users can’t find what they need.
• Mobile compatibility matters: If your site looks great on a computer but not on a phone, you’re losing potential customers.
• Focus on functionality: Every element on your site should serve a purpose, not just look good.

Aspect	Importance Level
User Experience	High
Aesthetic Appeal	Medium
Mobile Responsiveness	High

 

 Remember, the goal of your website is to help your business grow. If visitors can’t easily find what they’re looking for, they will likely turn to your competitors instead. Strive for a balance between beauty and usability to keep your audience engaged and satisfied. 

7. Using Poor Design

When creating a website, design matters a lot. A website that looks bad can turn visitors away, even if the content is great. Here are some common mistakes to avoid:

• Cluttered Layout: Too many elements can confuse visitors. Keep it simple.
• Non-Responsive Design: Your site should look good on all devices, especially phones.
• Poor Navigation: If users can’t find what they need, they will leave.

Why Design is Important

It takes only about 50 milliseconds for someone to form an opinion about your website. If it looks unappealing, they might not stick around. In fact, around 57% of people wouldn’t recommend a business with a poorly designed website, no matter how good the product is.

Tips for Better Design

1. Customize Templates: If you use a template, make sure to change it to fit your brand. Generic designs can make your site forgettable.
2. Use Quality Images: Avoid using too many stock photos. Original images can make your site feel more personal.
3. Focus on User Experience: Make sure your site is easy to navigate and visually appealing.

 A well-designed website can keep visitors engaged and encourage them to explore more. Don’t underestimate the power of good design! 

8. Disregarding Valuable Pages

When building a website, it’s easy to overlook certain pages that are crucial for your success. Ignoring these valuable pages can hurt your website’s effectiveness. Here are some essential pages you should not skip:

• About Us Page: This page helps visitors understand who you are and builds trust.
• Contact Page: Make sure your contact information is easy to find. Studies show that 44% of visitors leave if they can’t find how to reach you.
• Blog Section: A blog can improve your SEO and attract new visitors by providing fresh content.

Page Type	Importance Level	Reason for Importance
About Us	High	Builds trust and connection with visitors.
Contact	Very High	Essential for communication and credibility.
Blog	High	Enhances SEO and keeps content fresh.

 

 Remember, each page serves a purpose. Skipping them can lead to lost opportunities and a disconnect with your audience. 

9. Creating Inefficient Content

Creating content that is not effective can hurt your website’s success. Great content is essential for attracting visitors and keeping them engaged. Here are some common mistakes to avoid:

• Overloading with Information: Many people try to include too much information on their homepage. Instead, focus on the most important details that answer your audience’s questions.
• Ignoring Readability: If your text is hard to read, visitors will leave. Use short paragraphs, bullet points, and clear headings to make your content easy to digest.
• Neglecting SEO: Not optimizing your content for search engines can limit your visibility. Use relevant keywords and phrases to help people find your site.

Mistake	Impact on Website
Overloading with Information	High bounce rates
Ignoring Readability	Low engagement
Neglecting SEO	Reduced traffic

 

 Remember, your content should be valuable and engaging. Focus on what your audience needs, not just what you want to say. 

By avoiding these mistakes, you can create content that not only attracts visitors but also keeps them coming back for more!

10. Not Including A Clear Call To Action

Importance of a Clear Call to Action

A clear call to action (CTA) is essential for guiding your visitors on what to do next. Without a clear CTA, you risk losing potential leads. Here are some key points to consider:

• Be Specific: Use direct phrases like “Sign Up Now” or “Get Your Free Trial”.
• Keep It Short: Aim for no more than five words to ensure clarity.
• Make It Visible: Use contrasting colors to make your CTA stand out.

Common Mistakes with CTAs

Many websites fail to effectively use CTAs, leading to missed opportunities. Here are some common pitfalls:

1. Button Blindness: Visitors may overlook your CTA if it blends into the background.
2. Vague Text: Phrases like “Click Here” do not tell users what to expect.
3. Too Many Options: Having multiple CTAs can confuse visitors and dilute their focus.

 A well-placed and clear CTA can significantly increase your conversion rates. Make sure it aligns with your website’s goals and is easy for users to find. 

Final Thoughts

Building a website can be a challenging task, but avoiding these ten common mistakes can make it much easier. Always keep your audience in mind and focus on creating a site that is user-friendly and visually appealing. Don’t forget to plan ahead, use high-quality images, and pay attention to search engine optimization. Remember, a well-designed website can help you reach your goals and connect with more people. With tools like Strikingly, you can create a fantastic website quickly and without spending a lot of money. So, start your website journey today and steer clear of these pitfalls!

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I do before starting to build my website?

Before you start building, it’s important to plan. Think about what you want your website to achieve and who your audience is.

How do I choose the right website builder?

Look for a website builder that meets your needs. Consider factors like ease of use, design options, and support.

Why is my domain name important?

Your domain name is your website’s address. It should be easy to remember and reflect your brand.

What is a hosting plan, and why do I need one?

A hosting plan is where your website lives on the internet. You need it to make your website accessible to visitors.

How can I improve user experience on my website?

Focus on easy navigation, fast loading times, and a clean design to help visitors find what they need quickly.

What is a call to action, and why is it important?

A call to action tells visitors what you want them to do next, like signing up or making a purchase. It’s key for guiding user actions.