Hey! 👋

This week, we're talking about what not to do on your website.

Picture this: you've just clicked on a link, excited to explore a new brand. But then—whoops—the site looks all over the place. The fonts are inconsistent, the images clash, and you have no idea where to click next.

The whole experience makes you question the site's credibility—you start to doubt whether this company is reliable, and it feels like their value might not be as high as you'd hoped.

Subconsciously, you wonder if you can really trust them, and you quickly hit "back" to find something else.

That’s what we want to avoid for your site.

Let's dig into the top design mistakes that can make your website look unprofessional (so you can make sure you’re not guilty of any of these!).

😬 5 Website Design Mistakes You Don't Want to Make

1. Mismatched Visuals: Ever seen a site where the images just feel... wrong? It happens when colors, styles, or inconsistent photo styles don’t match the brand. For example:

   • A professional law firm using bright, cartoonish graphics.

   • A wellness brand with harsh, contrasting colors that feel stressful.

   • Images that are low-quality or pixelated, making the site look amateur.

   • Stock photos that feel generic and don’t align with the brand's tone.

   • A mix of photography styles—some overly staged, others candid—which creates a disjointed feeling. Make sure your visuals tell the same story as your brand—cohesion makes all the difference.

2. Inconsistent Fonts: Using more than two or three fonts is risky. It can make the site look messy and unstructured. Here are some examples:

   • Not having a consistent font style for headings or body text.

   • Different font sizes that lack a clear hierarchy, making it hard for users to understand the importance of each section.

   • Fonts that don’t match the brand’s personality—like using playful, rounded fonts for a corporate website.

   • Inconsistent use of bold or italic styles, leading to visual confusion.

3. Poor Layouts: Think about flow. A chaotic layout—like random button placements, or too many competing elements on one page—confuses visitors. Here are some common pitfalls:

   • Buttons placed in unexpected areas, making it hard for users to find where to click next.

   • A lack of visual hierarchy—everything seems equally important, so users don’t know where to focus.

   • Too many competing calls to action (CTAs), which overwhelms visitors and makes them unsure what to do.

   • Inconsistent spacing between elements, creating a cluttered and unprofessional appearance.

   • Long paragraphs without breaks or headings, making content hard to digest. A clean, purposeful layout guides users effortlessly, increasing the likelihood they’ll stay and take action.

4. Poor Color Usage: Colors can make or break the visual appeal of your website. Poor color choices can make your site look unprofessional or even repel visitors. Common mistakes include:

   • Using colors that clash or create a jarring effect, making text hard to read.

   • Overusing bright, neon colors, which can make the site feel overwhelming and untrustworthy.

   • Not enough color contrast, making important elements blend together and hard to distinguish.

   • Using too many colors without a consistent palette, which leads to a chaotic and unstructured feel.

   • Colors that don’t match the brand's personality—like a finance company using overly playful and vibrant colors that lack the seriousness expected by visitors. Stick to a well-defined color palette that aligns with your brand's tone and ensures readability and visual harmony.

5. Missing or Confusing Navigation: Visitors want to find what they're looking for quickly. If your navigation is confusing or missing key pages, it frustrates users and makes your site look unprofessional. Issues include:

   • Menus with too many options, making it hard for users to decide where to go.

   • Important pages that are buried or not accessible from the main menu.

   • Lack of a clear structure—users should always know where they are on your site. Ensure your navigation is simple, intuitive, and guides users seamlessly through your content.

Why Consistency Matters

Design consistency is key to building trust with your audience. When your website feels harmonious, visitors get the impression that your brand is detail-oriented and reliable. Here’s why it’s crucial:

• Professionalism: A well-designed, consistent website communicates credibility. Disjointed visuals or a messy layout make it hard for visitors to take your business seriously.

• User Comfort: Visitors don’t want to think too hard about how to navigate your site. Consistent styles and a clear structure help them feel comfortable, keeping them engaged and more likely to convert.

• Brand Recognition: Cohesive design builds a visual identity that visitors can recognize. Over time, they’ll associate your style with your brand—making it easier to stand out.

Consistency is a big part of our design philosophy at Reciprocal. If you’re unsure whether your site passes the "trust test," we’re happy to help you take a closer look.

Catch you later!

Adam Goetz @ Reciprocal