10 Web Design Mistakes That Small Business Owners Make

Introduction

If you're a small business owner, you know that creating and maintaining a website can be a lot of work. It's important to get it right, because your website is often the first impression potential customers have of your business.

In this blog post, we'll discuss 10 of the most common website design mistakes that small business owners make. We'll also provide tips on how to avoid these mistakes and create a website that helps you grow online in the best possible way!

Common Website Mistakes that Small Business Owners Make

1. Not Having a Website At All

In today's digital world, it's essential to have an online presence. Your website is your opportunity to showcase your products or services to the world and give potential customers a way to learn more about your business. If you don't have a website, you're losing out on potential business.

According to a study by Pew Research Center, about 93% of American adults use the internet. As time goes on, that already large number will continue to grow. If your business isn't online, you're missing out on a significant portion of potential consumers.

Another 2021 study found that about 28% of small businesses don't have a website. That's a lot of potential business that your competitors are getting while you're sitting on the sidelines! (more eye opening web design statistics)

If you're not sure how to get started creating a website, there are plenty of resources available online. There are also many web design companies that can help you create and maintain your website.

2. Not Defining a Purpose of Your Website

Every website should have a purpose. Whether it's to sell products, provide information to potential customers, or generate leads, your website should be designed with a clear purpose in mind. It will be tough to build a website that meets your objectives without a clear objective.

Far too often, small business owners create a website without any planning or thought. As a result, their websites are cluttered and difficult to navigate. For example, if your website's purpose is to provide information to customers, take the time to plan out each page and make sure it's easy for visitors to find what they're looking for.

3. Not Prioritizing Mobile Friendliness

In today's world, it's essential to have a website that is mobile-friendly. With more and more people using their smartphones and tablets to surf the web, you need to make sure your website can be easily viewed on these devices. If your website is not mobile-friendly, you could be missing out on a lot of potential business!

According to recent studies, 60% of web traffic now comes from mobile devices—and that number is only going to continue to grow in the years ahead. In order for your website to be successful, it needs to be mobile friendly. If your website isn't mobile friendly, now is the time to make the change!

4. Not Having Enough Content

Another common mistake is not having enough content on your website. It's been found that website content is one of the key factors that determines whether or not a website will be successful. Your website should be packed full of valuable information that will help potential customers learn more about your business and what you have to offer. Don't forget to include photos and videos as well - these can really help bring your website to life!

5. Choosing the Wrong Web Designer

It's important to choose the right web designer for your project. The wrong designer can cost you time and money, and may not produce the results you're looking for.

When choosing an Oklahoma City web designer, it's important to do your research. Ask friends and family for referrals, or check online review sites to find designers who have a good reputation. Make sure to interview several designers before making a decision, and ask them to share examples of their previous work. Don't forget to ask about pricing and timeline expectations up front, so you know what to expect.

6. Not Keeping Your Website Fresh

Your website is never "finished." It's important to keep your website up-to-date with fresh content, photos, and videos to engage your visitors. If you don't, your website will quickly become stale and outdated.

One of the best ways to keep your website up-to-date is to add a blog. A blog is a great way to share new information about your business, and can help you attract new visitors to your website. Make sure to post new content on a regular basis, and promote your blog posts on social media.

Another easy way to keep your website up-to-date is to add photos and videos regularly. These can be anything from behind-the-scenes photos and videos to customer testimonials. Adding new photos and videos is a great way to keep your website fresh and engaging.

7. Not Measuring Results

It's important to measure the results of your website. By tracking your website's traffic, you can see how many people are visiting your site and what pages they're looking at. This information can be very valuable in helping you understand what's working well and what needs to be improved.

There are a number of free tools that you can use to track your website's traffic, such as Google Analytics. This is a great way to keep an eye on your website's performance and make changes as needed.

8. Not Having a Call-to-Action

Make sure your website has a good call-to-action (CTA). A CTA is something that encourages visitors to interact with your business, such as signing up for your newsletter, buying a product, or contacting you for a free consultation. Without a CTA, you're missing out on a great opportunity to connect with potential customers.

Make sure your CTA is clear and easy to see, and that it stands out from the rest of your website's content. A call-to-action has several benefits and they encourage visitors to interact with your business, as well as make it easy for people to get in touch with you and help them if they need it.

9. Not Including Important Information

Another common mistake is not including important information on your website. It makes sense to include this information so prospective customers know how to reach you.

Including this information also helps with local SEO. By including your address and phone number on your website, you make it easier for potential customers in your area to find you. This can help increase traffic to your website and help you attract more customers.

Make sure this information is easy to find, and that it's up-to-date. You may also want to consider adding a map of your location so visitors can easily find you.

10. Not Using a Professional Web Designer

The final mistake small business owners make is not using a professional web designer. A professional web designer can help you create a website that looks great and functions well. They can also help you with SEO, so your website appears higher in search engine results pages.

Using a professional web designer is important because they have the experience and knowledge to create a website that meets your needs and helps your business succeed. They can also provide valuable advice on what works and what doesn't, so you can avoid common mistakes small business owners make when creating their website.

Conclusion

Creating a website for your small business doesn't have to be complicated or expensive. By avoiding these common mistakes, you can create a website that is attractive, user-friendly, and successful.

If you need help getting started, contact an Oklahoma City web design company like Steelman Digital. We're here to help you create a website that helps you achieve your goals and grow your business. Click here to get a free discovery call or text us today at (405) 509-5494 to get started.