5 Web Design Mistakes to Fix Today
Is Your Website Repelling Clients? đź«Ł
You’ve poured your heart into your business. You’ve got the talent, the passion, and the offerings to truly serve your dream clients. But if your website isn’t converting - if people are landing and leaving, bouncing faster than you can blink - it’s time for a serious check-in.
Because here’s the truth: a beautiful website isn’t enough. Your site needs to connect, guide, and convert - and if it’s not doing that, it might actually be working against you.
Let’s dive into the five most common website design mistakes that could be repelling potential clients - and exactly how to fix them.
1. No Clear Messaging (a.k.a. What Do You Even Do?)
Mistake: Your homepage is visually stunning, but visitors still have no clue what you offer or who it's for.
Fix: Your value proposition needs to be front and center - clear, concise, and client-focused. Within 5 seconds, your audience should understand:
✔️ What you do
✔️ Who you do it for
✔️ Why it matters
đź’ˇPro Tip: Use a headline + sub-headline formula like:
“Strategic brand and website design for creative entrepreneurs ready to elevate and convert.”
2. Confusing Navigation
Mistake: You’ve got 10+ menu items, or worse, clever-but-vague labels like “My Story” or “The Journey.”
Fix: Keep your navigation clean, simple, and intuitive. Use clear labels like:
Home
Services
Portfolio or Work
About
Contact
And for the love of all things holy, prioritize the client journey—lead them where you want them to go.
💡Pro Tip: Use a call-to-action (CTA) in the nav like “Book a Discovery Call” or “Start Your Project.”
3. No Call-to-Action (or Too Many)
Mistake: There’s no clear next step. Or worse - every section has a different CTA, and it’s overwhelming.
Fix: Guide your visitor like a concierge. Use 1–2 strategic CTAs across your site to keep the focus clear. Examples:
“Let’s Work Together”
“View the Portfolio”
“Get a Custom Quote”
đź’ˇPro Tip: Repeating one CTA throughout (with different wording or placement) reinforces what action they should take without feeling pushy.
4. Unprofessional Visuals + Branding Inconsistency
Mistake: Mismatched fonts, clashing colors, pixelated images, or a logo that feels like an afterthought.
Fix: Your website should reflect the level of service you provide. Invest in cohesive brand design that aligns with your personality and your ideal audience. Consistent visual identity builds trust faster than you think.
💡Pro Tip: If you’re DIYing, stick to 2 fonts and 2–3 brand colors max. And always use high-res, brand-aligned images - no random stock photos here. (Stock photos are okay, but make sure they align with your brand.)
5. Not Mobile-Friendly
Mistake: Your site looks fine on desktop but breaks or becomes hard to navigate on mobile - and let’s be real, that’s where most of your traffic is coming from.
Fix: Responsive design isn’t optional. Check how your site displays on different screen sizes and make sure buttons, text, and images all scale properly.
💡Pro Tip: Run your site through Google’s Mobile-Friendly Test to get a quick health check.
The Bottom Line: First Impressions Are Everything
Your website is often your first (and sometimes only) shot at capturing your dream client’s attention. And if it’s not strategically designed, it’s not just missing the opportunity - it might be turning them away.
At Ryen Creative, we craft brand and website designs that don’t just look good - they work. We combine brand strategy with intentional design to help creative entrepreneurs show up clearly, confidently, and compellingly.
Ready to transform your website from “meh” to magnetic?
Let’s chat about how we can elevate your brand and website - together. 👉 Start Your Project