Building a website for small businesses is hard.

How about we tell you where not to start? We’ve listed five rookie mistakes entrepreneurs often make when building a business website. Keep reading to make sure you don’t make the same mistakes.

1. Doing It Yourself

This is business suicide. One of the worst web design mistakes you can make when building a website for a small business is to DIY it. 

It’s bad for two reasons. First, unless you are an experienced website designer, there will be so much optimization that you just can’t code. A robust website requires knowledge of HTML and experience.

Sure, you can build a bare-bones website, splash on a few brand images, and write some copy, but with fierce competition, there is no time for a lackluster website.

The second issue is bias. When you build your own website, everything will make sense to you. It’ll be difficult to identify possible trouble points in the customer funnel. 

Save yourself the headache. Hire a Weebly designer from the start.

2. Too Many CTA’s

A CTA is a call to action. You’ve experienced them everywhere on a business website. “Sign up to our newsletter for 10% of your first order.”

Or, “follow us on Instagram!” These are actions you want your customer to take. When deciding on CTA’s for your website, you need a very clear plan of your customer journey.

From there you can implement one CTA per engagement. Don’t have conflicting or too many CTA’s on one page.

3. Ignoring Updates

In order to succeed, you need to be obsessed with web design trends. Explore every friction point in your website and work to eliminate it. Friction is anything that detracts from the user’s experience.

Improve slow load times, optimize mobile and desktop performance, and add features like payment installments when necessary. The easier and more engaging your website is, the more likely customers are to trust it and keep returning. 

Additionally, make sure to keep your products, services, and imagery up to date. In short, don’t just leave your first website untouched.

4. Poor Design

Even if you have outstanding products and a riveting “About” page, it doesn’t matter if no one can get past the dullness of your homepage. Your homepage should have clear, captivating branding that resonates with your intended target audience.

It’s worth seeking out the help of a branding agency to collaborate with your web designer to create a truly beautiful website. Make sure to invest in all communication opportunities on your website from product imagery to copywriting. 

5. Leaving Questions Unanswered

Like a great server, you need to anticipate customer needs before they are even asked. Basic inquiries such as shipping, returns, and privacy policies should be readily available for viewing.

This builds trust with customers and makes them more likely to proceed with a purchase.

Avoid These Five Mistakes When Building a Website for a Small Business

Building a website for a small business doesn’t have to be difficult. Simply avoid these five mistakes and find a seasoned professional to create your dream website. You’ll still be part of the picture (if you want) and have full creative authority.

For more business tips, continue reading our blog!