5 Web Design Mistakes Small Businesses Make (And How to Avoid Them)
- Radoslaw QA Solutions Ltd
- May 7
- 3 min read
Turn first impressions into lasting results
Your website is often the first impression potential customers have of your business — and in today’s digital world, first impressions are made in seconds.
At RQA Solutions, we work with small businesses to design and optimise websites using platforms like Wix, and we’ve noticed many of the same design issues come up again and again. These common mistakes can cost you traffic, leads, and credibility — but they’re all fixable.
Here are the top 5 web design mistakes we see, and how to avoid them using Wix.
1. Cluttered Layout and Confusing Navigation
Many small business websites try to do too much on one page — flashing banners, too many buttons, overlapping text, or unclear navigation.
Why it matters:
A cluttered website overwhelms visitors and makes it hard for them to find what they’re looking for. If users can't navigate easily, they'll leave — fast.
How to fix it:
Use a clean, consistent layout with plenty of white space
Limit your main menu to 5–6 key items
Group related content logically
Use built-in layout tools and grid systems to keep everything aligned and readable
2. Not Mobile-Friendly
More than half of all web traffic comes from mobile devices. Yet many small business websites still look broken or cramped on smaller screens.
Why it matters:
Google now prioritises mobile-friendly websites in its rankings. Plus, a bad mobile experience can drive away potential customers instantly.
How to fix it:
Use mobile editor to preview and optimise the mobile version of your site
Resize or hide non-essential elements on mobile
Use mobile-specific design tools like quick action bars (e.g. "Call Now" or "Get Directions")
3. No Clear Call-to-Action (CTA)
A beautiful website is great — but what do you actually want people to do? Too often, websites lack strong calls-to-action like “Book Now,” “Get a Quote,” or “Contact Us.”
Why it matters:
Without a clear CTA, visitors may leave without taking the next step — even if they’re interested.
How to fix it:
Use buttons with clear, action-oriented text
Place CTAs in high-visibility areas (header, homepage, footer, and at the end of every page)
Use built-in button and form elements to connect actions with contact forms, bookings, or links
4. Overuse of Stock Images or Low-Quality Visuals
Your visuals represent your brand. Generic stock photos or pixelated images make your site feel impersonal or outdated.
Why it matters:
Low-quality visuals reduce trust. Visitors might subconsciously assume the same level of quality applies to your services.
How to fix it:
Use Wix’s free media library wisely — choose professional, relevant images
Upload your own photos where possible (even phone-quality images can look great if edited properly)
Keep image sizes optimised for faster loading
5. Neglecting SEO Basics
Even a beautiful website won't help if no one can find it. Many users forget to set up basic SEO elements like page titles, meta descriptions, and alt text.
Why it matters:
Search engines rely on these elements to understand and rank your content. Without them, your site is effectively invisible.
How to fix it:
Use the SEO Setup Checklist
Add custom page titles and meta descriptions to every page
Use keywords naturally in your content and headers
Add alt text to every image for better accessibility and search indexing
Final Thoughts
Good web design isn’t just about looks — it’s about function, clarity, and results. At RQA Solutions, we help small businesses build websites that are not only beautiful, but smart, fast, and effective.
Ready for a Website That Works?
Avoid the most common mistakes and let us help you build a site that delivers. Contact us today to get started with professional web design.
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