Common Website Mistakes Businesses Make – How to Avoid Them
Why Do Most Websites Fail to Meet Expectations?
I've seen hundreds of websites that cost owners thousands of dollars – and deliver zero results. They don't generate leads, don't support sales, sometimes even repel potential customers.
The problem isn't the technology itself. WordPress is a proven tool. The problem lies in the website ordering process and collaboration with the developer. Here are the 12 most common mistakes I observe – and how to avoid them.
12 Mistakes That Destroy Website Projects
1. Choosing a Developer Based on Price Alone
Problem:
"We have 3 quotes: $500, $1,250, and $3,750. Let's take the cheapest" – classic mistake. The cheapest offer often means: ready template, zero optimization, no post-launch support.
RozwiÄ…zanie:
Compare scope of services, not just prices. What's included in $500? What about $3,750? Sometimes the pricier offer is a better deal because it includes things you'll pay for separately later anyway.
2. No Prepared Brief
Problem:
"We want a nice website" – that's not a brief. The developer guesses what you want, you get something different than expected, endless revisions begin.
RozwiÄ…zanie:
Prepare a detailed brief: website goals, target audience, competition, required features, visual inspirations. The more precisely you define what you need, the better the result.
3. "Let the Developer Come Up With Content"
Problem:
Nobody knows your business better than you. The developer can write generic copy, but it won't convey your offering's value like you can.
RozwiÄ…zanie:
Prepare your own copy or work with a copywriter who understands your business. The developer can implement and optimize it for SEO, but the content must come from you.
4. Designing for Yourself, Not Your Customers
Problem:
"I like purple and Comic Sans" – but your clients might not. The site should sell to your customers, not appeal to you.
RozwiÄ…zanie:
Design the site for your target audience. Young clients? Modern, dynamic design. B2B for companies? Professional, trust-building appearance.
5. Ignoring Mobile
Problem:
"Will it be responsive?" – "Yes" – "Okay" – and you don't check. Then it turns out everything breaks on phones, buttons are too small, text unreadable.
RozwiÄ…zanie:
Test the site on real mobile devices BEFORE project acceptance. Over 60% of traffic is smartphones – the site MUST work perfectly on mobile.
6. Neglecting SEO from the Start
Problem:
"We'll do SEO later" – and later it turns out you need to rebuild URL structure, rewrite all content, add missing elements. This costs more than doing it right from the start.
RozwiÄ…zanie:
SEO isn't an add-on, it's a foundation. Meta tags, URL structure, schema markup, loading speed – all this should be built into the project from the beginning.
7. No Clearly Defined Goals
Problem:
"Why do we need a website?" – "Well... to have one". Without a clear goal, you can't measure success. Should the site generate leads? Sell products? Build expert authority?
RozwiÄ…zanie:
Define specific goals: "we want 50 quote requests monthly" or "the goal is 100 transactions in the first month". Goals let you assess whether the site is working.
8. Spending Entire Budget on the Project, Zero on Promotion
Problem:
You spent $3,750 on a beautiful site, but there's no marketing budget left. The site exists, but nobody knows about it. Zero traffic = zero results.
RozwiÄ…zanie:
Plan a marketing budget: 30-40% of total should go to promotion (SEO, Google Ads, social media). The best website without traffic is a dead project.
9. No Future Plan
Problem:
"Site ready, project complete" – but what about updates? Maintenance? Growth? Many companies think a website is a one-time investment.
RozwiÄ…zanie:
A website is a process, not a product. You need a maintenance plan: hosting, technical support, content updates, feature development. Establish this before project start.
10. "Make It Like the Competition"
Problem:
Copying competitors sounds safe, but leads to mediocrity. Your site doesn't stand out, you blend into the crowd.
RozwiÄ…zanie:
Analyze competition, but look for gaps and differentiation opportunities. What can you do better? What are they missing? Find your unique value and put it front and center.
11. Too Many Features at Launch
Problem:
You want store + blog + customer portal + booking system + newsletter + 10 other things right away. The project drags on, budget grows, you never launch.
RozwiÄ…zanie:
MVP approach (Minimum Viable Product). Start with basics – landing page with essential features. Launch, collect feedback, develop iteratively.
12. No Testing Before Launch
Problem:
"Looks good, let's go live" – but contact form doesn't work, half the links go nowhere, site loads in 10 seconds. Customers see errors before you notice them.
RozwiÄ…zanie:
Pre-launch checklist: all forms working? All links lead where they should? Site loads quickly? Google Analytics connected? Test EVERYTHING.
Summary – How to Order a Website Without Mistakes
Most of these mistakes stem from lack of experience and preparation. That's understandable – you don't order a website every week. But now you know what to watch out for.
The key to success is a conscious approach to the process: good brief, realistic expectations, choosing a developer based on quality (not just price), and active participation in the project.
KrĂłtka checklista:
- Prepare a detailed brief before talking to the developer
- Compare offers by scope, not just price
- Define clear business goals for the website
- Prepare your own content or hire a copywriter
- Plan a marketing budget (30-40% of total)
- Test on mobile before acceptance
- Ensure SEO from the start, not "later"
- Establish a maintenance and growth plan
- Start with MVP, develop iteratively
- Test everything before launch
Need help with website delivery? Get in touch – I'll guide you through the entire process.