So you’ve decided to build a website. Maybe it’s for your business, your hobby, or just because everyone keeps telling you that you need one. Either way, you’re probably staring at your computer right now wondering where to even start.

I get it. There’s a lot of conflicting advice out there, and it seems like everyone has an opinion about what you should or shouldn’t do. But the reality is that most website failures happen because of a handful of really basic mistakes that are totally avoidable.

In this article I’m going to walk you through the ones I see most often, so you can skip the headaches and actually get your site up and running without wanting to throw your laptop out the window.

Picking the Wrong Platform for Your Needs

WordPress, Squarespace, Wix, Shopify. There are so many website builders out there that choosing one feels impossible. And a common result is that people either go with whatever their friend recommended or pick the cheapest option without thinking about what they actually need.

If you’re planning to blog regularly and want full control, WordPress might be worth the learning curve. Running an online store? Shopify or WooCommerce could save you headaches down the road. Just need something simple that looks good? Squarespace or Wix might be perfect.

Think about where you want to be in say, two years, not just today.

Ignoring Mobile Users (Big Mistake)

I still see websites that look great on desktop but turn into a hot mess on phones. Since most people browse on mobile these days, this is basically like hanging a “closed” sign on your digital front door.

Test your site on different devices before launching. Better yet, design for mobile first, then work your way up to larger screens. Your thumb-scrolling visitors will thank you.

Overcomplicating Navigation

You know those websites where you click around for five minutes trying to find basic information? Don’t be that website. Keep your menu labels straightforward and predictable. When someone visits your site, they shouldn’t have to decode what “Our Story” means when they’re looking for basic company information.

Use standard terms like “About,” “Services,” or “Contact” rather than trying to be clever with “Our Journey” or “Let’s Chat.” People scan websites quickly, and familiar labels help them find what they need without thinking twice.

That said, I’ve seen a lot worse than “Our Story”. At least it provides a hint at what could be behind the link.

Forgetting About Loading Speed

Nothing kills the mood like waiting 10 seconds for a page to load. Most people have little to no patience for slow websites. And Google isn’t a fan either.

Huge images are usually the culprit. Compress them before uploading, and consider using modern formats like WebP. Also, don’t go overboard with plugins or widgets. Every add-on can slow things down.

Writing for Robots Instead of Humans

SEO is important, but cramming keywords into every sentence will make your content seem weird and robotic. Write naturally first, then optimize second.

Plus, Google has gotten pretty smart about understanding context and intent. Focus on creating genuinely helpful content that answers questions your audience actually has.

Skipping the Backup Plan

Picture this: you wake up and your website is gone. Just… poof. It happens more often than you’d think. Sometimes it’s the web host’s fault. Sometimes it’s yours. Sometimes a hacker got lucky. Stuff happens. And without backups, you’re starting from scratch.

Set up automatic backups from day one. Many hosting providers offer this, or you can use plugins if you’re on WordPress. It’s like insurance – boring but absolutely necessary.

Making Everything Too Small

I’m talking about tiny fonts, microscopic buttons, and contact forms designed for ants. If your grandmother needs a magnifying glass to read your site, you’ve got a problem.

Use a decent font size for body text, and make sure buttons are big enough to tap easily on mobile. And test it across devices (and with your grandmother if possible). Accessibility should be considered an essential part of your design decisions.

Hiding Your Contact Information

Don’t bury your contact information three clicks deep in your site. I see this constantly with local businesses and service providers, and it drives me crazy! And I’m sure it drives potential customers away.

Your contact details should be easy to spot – in your header, footer, or on a clearly marked contact page. Local businesses especially need to show their phone number and address prominently. When people can’t easily figure out how to reach you, they’ll find someone else who makes it simpler.

Obsessing Over Perfection

Here’s one that might surprise you. Your website doesn’t need to be perfect on day one. I’ve watched people spend months tweaking colors and fonts instead of actually launching.

Get something good enough online, then improve it based on real feedback from real users. A live, imperfect website beats a perfect one that never sees daylight.

Forgetting About Search Engines

You don’t need to become an SEO expert overnight, but completely ignoring search engines is like opening a store in a back alley with no signs.

Write descriptive page titles, use headings properly, and add alt text to your images. These basics go a long way toward helping people find you through Google.

Not Having a Clear Purpose

Before you pick colors or fonts, figure out what you want your website to accomplish. Are you trying to sell products? Generate leads? Share your portfolio? Build an email list?

Every page should move visitors closer to that goal. If something doesn’t serve your purpose, cut it or fix it.

The Bottom Line

Even the pros will occasionally mess up a website in one way or another. That’s just part of the process. The smart move is learning from what trips up other people so you can avoid those same pitfalls.

Keep things simple at first, think about what your visitors actually need, and don’t stress about making everything perfect right away. You can always refine and improve once your site is live and you see how people actually use it.

Now stop reading about building websites and go build one. The internet is waiting for whatever awesome thing you’re working on.