The other day, I walked into this tiny used bookstore near Carytown. Total hole-in-the-wall. No big signs, no trendy branding, just… vibes. And yet, once I stepped inside, I didn’t want to leave. The layout made sense. The staff let me explore. The whole thing felt like it was built for someone like me.
That’s what your website should feel like too.
But for most people? It doesn’t.
Instead, it’s confusing, slow, cluttered, or missing the obvious next step. And that’s a problem — because every time something feels “off” on your site, you’re quietly giving visitors a reason to leave.
Let’s fix that. Here are a handful of UX mistakes I see all the time — and how to make sure you’re not making them.
1. Not mobile-friendly? You’ve already lost them.
We’re way past the point where mobile’s a “trend.” It’s just how people browse now. And if your site still makes folks pinch-and-zoom just to read the menu or fill out a form, it’s not just annoying — it’s a reason to bail.
How to fix it:
- Use bigger text, bigger buttons, and layouts that stack nicely on smaller screens.
- Actually test your site on your phone. Better yet, test it on your mom’s phone.
- Trim the fluff. Mobile users don’t want to scroll through six paragraphs of preamble just to get to your services.
2. Overcomplicated navigation
People shouldn’t need a treasure map to find your contact page. If your nav is packed with clever-but-vague labels or dropdowns that go six levels deep, it’s time to simplify.
Fix it:
- Use words people actually search for. Not “Solutions,” but “Web Design” or “SEO Help.”
- Don’t reinvent the wheel. Put the nav at the top. Keep it consistent.
- Think like a visitor. What would you want to find in the first 10 seconds?
3. Slow load times
Ever tried to visit a site and it just… sat there? If it’s your only option, you might wait — but chances are your customers can hit the back button and be at your competitor’s website in a flash.
How to fix it:
- Compress your images before uploading them (you really don’t need a 5MB photo of a smiling team).
- Ditch the bloated plugins.
- Use decent hosting. I know it’s tempting to save a few bucks, but cheap hosting is not where to skimp.
4. Weak or missing CTAs
A visitor reads your content, nods their head… and then does nothing. Why? Because you didn’t tell them what to do next. Every page should have a clear next step. No guessing, no hoping.
How to fix it:
- Be direct: “Book a call,” “Get a quote,” “Send us a message.”
- Use buttons that actually stand out (no ghost buttons buried in background images).
- Put CTAs where people are ready to take action — not just at the bottom of the page.
5. Forgetting about accessibility
Accessibility isn’t just a nice-to-have. It’s your responsibility. You’re building for all users — and if you’re not considering people with vision, motor, or cognitive impairments, you’re shutting the door on real people.
How to fix it:
- Add alt text to your images.
- Use strong color contrast, so your text doesn’t disappear for folks with colorblindness.
- Make sure everything works with just a keyboard.
- Avoid links with the text “click here”, which are a nightmare for people using screen readers (and not great for your SEO either!)
6. Never testing the thing
When’s the last time you used your own website like a real visitor would? Not just clicking around aimlessly, but actually trying to navigate it with a goal in mind? Most people never do. And that’s why weird stuff slips through the cracks.
How to fix it:
- Ask someone outside your business to try using your site and give feedback.
- Use heatmaps or session recordings to see where people get stuck.
- Look at your analytics. High bounce rate? People aren’t finding what they came for.
Final Thoughts
If your site makes people feel confused, frustrated, or lost, they won’t stick around — no matter how good your offer is. But if it’s clear, fast, and easy to use? They’ll feel taken care of. And that’s the kind of feeling that gets them to take action.
Need a second pair of eyes?
If you’re too close to your own site (aren’t we all?), I’d be happy to take a look and point out a few places you might improve the user experience. No sales pitch — just honest, helpful advice.
Shoot me a message. Let’s make your website a little more like that cozy bookstore in Carytown — a place people want to stay.
