Imagine this scenario: the time has come to create a website for your company. You invest time and money, but after a few months... Nothing happens.
The website has few visitors, almost no sales or quote requests, and many customers cannot even find it on Google.
Frustrating, isn't it?
Unfortunately, this is the reality for many companies, which make several mistakes when creating a website. This ultimately compromises their success.
Did you know, for example, that 88% of users do not return to a website after a bad experience?And that 47% of people expect a page to load in less than 2 seconds?
These are just two statistics that show the impact of a poorly constructed website, which can drive customers away instead of attracting them.
Throughout this article, we will explore the five main mistakes to avoid when creating a website and, more importantly, how to correct them to ensure excellent performance.
Mistakes to Avoid When Creating a Website
Mistake 1: Ignoring User Experience (UX) during Website Creation
Would it make sense to have a high street shop without a door for customers to enter? Or a complicated entrance that requires a secret code?
At first glance, you will agree that no, it would not make sense.
However, many companies make this mistake when creating a website: they make it difficult for customers to find the solution they are looking for.
Ignoring User Experience (UX) is one of the biggest mistakes to avoid when creating a website. Google prioritises usability, and if visitors cannot quickly find what they need, they will leave the site within seconds.
This is what happens when someone visits your website and leaves dissatisfied:
- Increased bounce rate: that is, the number of people who enter and leave almost immediately, without even visiting other pages. If this happens frequently, it will harm your Google ranking;
- Fewer sales and contacts: if visitors cannot easily find what they are looking for, they will not buy or get in touch;
- Negative impact on brand image: a disorganised website makes your company appear unprofessional.
How to fix this error:
- Simplify website navigation: use clear and intuitive menus. Ideally, visitors should be able to find what they are looking for in three clicks or less.
- Faster website: ensure that your website loads in 2 seconds or less. Choosing a good hosting service is one of the most important aspects. Contact us if you believe your website is slow.
- More intuitive design: keep the structure organised, with visible buttons that are easy to interact with.
After each of these corrections, ask a few people to test the website. Observe how they interact with each page, button, or image, and review areas for improvement in future optimisations.
Mistake 2: Making a Bad Impression with an Outdated Design
Have you ever heard the expression, ‘First impressions are everything’?
This also applies in the digital world – we would even venture to say that it is even more true in the digital world!
If a visitor enters your website and the design appears outdated or confusing, they will leave within seconds.
(and, as we saw earlier, this is very bad for your company!)
This becomes a serious problem because:
- The company's credibility is called into question: it will appear that the company is unprofessional and confused in what it does;
- It becomes difficult to attract attention: if there are too many elements competing for attention, visitors do not know where to focus. This leads to the third point;
- Less conversion: that is, fewer contacts, fewer sales, fewer quotes – less of everything!
How to fix this error:
- Choose a modern and simple design, with balanced colours, fonts that are legible on any device, and well-organised spaces. Follow your brand's branding;
- Create a responsive website that opens quickly on mobile phones, iPads, tablets, or computers. There are still many websites that do not load on mobile phones, causing companies to miss out on dozens of opportunities.
- Avoid excess. Less is more. Having a few animations is good, but a website that is 100% animated distracts attention from what is essential and can affect its performance.
Remember: having an attractive website is not just about aesthetics. It should guide visitors towards the desired action, whether that is a purchase, booking a service or requesting contact.
Please note the Apollotec website:
The menu helps you choose the best route for you.
You can search by industry, solution, view the blog, or speak with an expert.
With a minimalist and attractive design.
Mistake 3: Lack of Relevance and Clarity in Content
Have you noticed that most websites have very similar texts?
Generic phrases such as ‘We offer customised solutions for your business’ or ‘We are committed to excellence’ are everywhere.
The problem? This type of text does not say anything concrete, does not capture attention, and does not generate action.
Here is a practical example to help:
Imagine you need a digital marketing service and find two websites:
➡️ Website A: “Our team offers innovative marketing solutions to boost your business.”
➡️ Website B: “Need more customers? We create marketing campaigns that generate qualified leads and increase your sales. Book a meeting now!”
- It doesn't show what sets you apart. If your website says the same thing as all the others, why should they choose you?
- Visitors do not realise the value of your product, which will cause them to look for another solution or think that your solution is expensive.
- Loss of sales opportunities as a result of the above points.
- Escreva os textos a pensar numa pessoa em concreto, com linguagem simples, quase como numa conversa;
- Show, don't explain. In other words, show how your company is truly different by using case studies, customer testimonials, and explaining why your product or service is the best option for the visitor.
- Use persuasive calls to action. Instead of a simple ‘Contact us,’ try something more engaging like “Talk to us and find out how we can help your bussines grow”.
Mistake 4: Ignoring SEO when creating your website
It may be the most beautiful website in the world... but if no one can find it, it's useless! Many companies create a website and then forget about it SEO (Search Engine Optimization)SEO is what enables your website appears on Google and become more relevant to your customers. For example: you may have arrived here because you did a Google search. This blog article appeared in your search results because it is SEO-optimised, meaning it was written in such a way that you could find it, to provide you with a solution. And you will need to do the same with your website. How to fix this error:- Use the right keywords for you. Find out what customers are searching for on Google and use those keywords on your website.
- Create optimised titles and descriptions that use these keywords and grab attention on Google.
- Don't forget technical SEO! Most people focus on keywords and content and forget about the technical aspects that ensure pages appear on Google. Examples: easy-to-read URLs, internal and external links, and good code structure.
Mistake 5: Not Performing Regular Website Maintenance
Ignoring website maintenance is like buying a car and never changing the oil. At first, everything may seem fine, but over time, problems accumulate – until one day the website starts to malfunction or simply stops working. And yet, there are thousands of websites in Portugal that are not properly maintained. Which leads to:- Serious security issues. Your website is vulnerable and could be attacked by hackers, who steal important company and customer information.
- Loss of important data. Without regular backups, you could lose valuable business information at any time.
- The website becomes slow and outdated. and drives away potential customers (as well as penalising your position on Google).
- Update the website regularly to maintain security and performance;
- Make automatic backups. That way, if something goes wrong, you can quickly restore your website.
- Monitor errors and loading times using tools such as Google Search Console or GTmetrix.
- Invest in security. Use SSL certificates, firewalls, and attack protection to keep data secure.
Conclusion
Creating a website is essential for any business, but common mistakes can quickly compromise the results of your investment. Whether it's an outdated design, a confusing experience, or a lack of SEO, all of these factors can cause your website to lose visitors and sales. The good news is that all of these mistakes can be corrected! Just follow the best practices we've explored in this article to ensure that your website not only impresses visitors but also generates new leads and sales, while strengthening your online presence. Want a website that does all this and more? Apollotec has a team specialised in boosting the digital presence of companies in Portugal. Ensure your website stands out from the competition – request a no-obligation meeting via this link.FAQ'S
Why is user experience (UX) so important for a website?
If visitors cannot easily navigate your website, they will quickly abandon it. This leads to a high bounce rate, fewer conversions, and a negative impact on your brand image.
How can I improve the user experience on my website?
Ensure that navigation is intuitive, the website loads quickly (in less than 2 seconds), and the design is organised. Test with real users to identify areas for improvement.
Can an outdated design affect the credibility of my website?
Use balanced colours, legible fonts, and an organised layout. Ensure that the website is responsive and loads well on mobile devices.
Which design elements should I prioritise?
Generic texts do not capture the visitor's attention. Persuasive text aimed at the right audience generates greater connection, value, and conversions.
How can I optimise my website for SEO?
Use relevant keywords, create optimised titles and descriptions, and implement technical SEO best practices such as friendly URLs and internal links.
What happens if I do not perform regular maintenance on my website?
The website may become vulnerable to attacks, lose important data, and become slow or outdated, damaging the user experience and its position on Google.
What practices should I follow to keep my website secure and up to date?
Perform regular updates, make automatic backups, and use monitoring tools such as Google Search Console and GTmetrix.
