Any website can be critiqued, but there are common errors that appear repeatedly. Conducting a quick review of these five mistakes will improve overall web quality.
Too Much Text
There’s a case for including sufficient text for search engine optimization. However, many websites exceed this necessity. While it’s appealing to discuss company mission extensively, most visitors don’t engage with lengthy narratives. Website content should be engaging, succinct, and support your business objectives.
A good rule of thumb is to ask yourself, would you read this?
No Clear Call to Action
Visitors should immediately understand the desired next step. Your primary call to action must be prominent, focused, and positioned strategically. Common problems include excessive calls to action, poorly placed buttons, or insufficient contrast.
Ask yourself, is it obvious what action I should take?
Bad Bells & Whistles
Impressive websites often include animation and effects. However, improper implementation causes more problems than benefits. A slow site with effects performs worse than a quick one without them. Excessive animation reduces focus. Javascript features that work inconsistently are inferior to simpler, reliable alternatives.
Ask yourself, does this effect add to the site more than detract? Could it frustrate or annoy?
Too Much Hidden Content
Sliders, drawers, and modals serve specific purposes. Like animation, overuse diminishes focus and increases user effort. Multiple consecutive sliders should be avoided. Don’t require users to search unnecessarily. When using sliders, recognize many users won’t explore beyond the initial slide.
Ask yourself, what value does hiding this information add? Are you okay if the user ignores it completely?
Too Many Type Styles
Websites need multiple typography options for contrast and hierarchy. However, excessive variety creates clutter and reduces clarity. Start with 3–5 fundamental type styles, and only introduce new ones when existing options won’t suffice.
If you avoid these mistakes, your website will be more focused, clean, and usable. If you’d like a fresh set of eyes, our web design and UX design teams are always happy to take a look.