Part lll - Web Design Mistakes Even Great Designers Make
- 10 hours ago
- 5 min read
Web Design Mistakes Final Chapter...
Mistakes that slap your users with an “Ow” instead of a “Wow.”
The details are what people get hung up on the most. That’s usually the part they can see. Make sure what they lay their peepers on is worthwhile.
The Details are Where Great Websites Earn Their Reputation
By the time you reach the end of a project, it's tempting to call it done. The layout works, the content is in place, and the client is excited to launch.
But experienced designers know that the last few refinements often have the biggest influence on how professional a website feels. Giving content room to breathe, creating consistency with typography, and testing every interaction are what separate a good launch from a great one.
Let's wrap up this series with three final web design mistakes worth checking before every launch.
Impactful design isn't usually about adding more.
It's often about knowing what to remove, what to simplify, and what to put through one final review before your client sees it.
White space creates focus. Typography builds trust. Testing catches the tiny issues that can quietly undermine an otherwise exceptional project.
These final three habits could improve every project you deliver, digital, print, or in-person.
Sink into your favorite chair. Let's squeeze!
Web Design Mistake #7:
Cramming everything in and forgetting to breathe
White space isn’t wasted space. It’s the pause that makes the important stuff land.
We get it, the client wants the phone number, the testimonials, the logo carousel, and the newsletter signup, all above the fold. But when everything screams for attention at once, the visitor’s brain simply tunes it all out.
The website layout fix:
Embrace the breathing room. Give your key elements space to be seen.
Establish a clear visual hierarchy so the eye knows exactly where to go first, second, and third.
Bigger and bolder for what matters most, quieter for the supporting cast.
When you’re tempted to fill every pixel, remember: even the juiciest citrus needs a little peel around it.
Web Design Mistake #8:
Throwing a typography party with too many guests
When designers truly understand how to use fonts, typography stops being decoration and starts making a statement.
Ah, the font drawer, so tempting, so full of possibility. But when one page mixes five typefaces – three of them decorative – the result reads less “elevated brand” and more “ransom note.”
Read out full article on mastering typography and font families here.
The website typography fix:
Two typefaces is the sweet spot, one for headings, one for body (A 3rd for occasional emphasis).
Set a clear type scale so sizes feel intentional rather than random.
Mind your line length: roughly 50-75 characters per line is the widely-cited readable range. Baymard’s reasoning is “too wide and the eye struggles to find where the next line starts. Too short and it travels back so often the rhythm breaks.
Web Design Mistake #9:
Skipping the test drive before handing over the keys
We’ve found that a few minutes of testing is some of the best-spent time in the whole project.
The final boss of web design mistakes is a quiet killer. Delivering without diliberating. Broken links, a contact form that goes nowhere, a typo in the headline, a layout that falls apart in Safari. These tiny gremlins are almost invisible until a client (or worse, their client) spots them first. And nothing deflates that launch-day glow quite like a “hey, this button doesn’t work.”
The website testing fix:
Build yourself a pre-launch checklist and run it every time. Make sure to add any issues you find through the site build to this punch list so things don’t get forgotten. Future you will be so grateful!
Click every link.
Submit every form and confirm the message actually arrives.
Check the site in Chrome, Safari, and Firefox, on desktop and mobile. You can take an extra step and use a Browser Review Site to ensure it looks perfect across all breakpoints, platforms, and browsers.
Proofread out loud (it catches more than you’d think).
Put It In Action
Every item on this list is a sign you care about your craft enough to sweat the details. We don’t think great design is about never making mistakes. It’s about knowing where they like to hide, and seeking them out to destry them.
In case you missed parts 1 and 2 of our series, the full checklist is here::
Name the one action. Open your homepage. Can you say out loud, in one sentence, what you want a visitor to do? Is it obvious?
Check the real device split. Open your client’s analytics. Are you designing for their actual audience, or for a global average that may not describe them?
Measure your LCP. Run the page through PageSpeed Insights. Are you at 2.5 seconds or less?
Test one color pair. Drop your body text and background colors into WebAIM’s contrast checker. Are you at 4.5:1 or better?
Thumb the buttons. Every button gets a click. Any unwanted results should go in your punch list to fix.
Submit your own form. Did the email actually arrive? Does it look as expected?
Over the course of this series, we've covered nine web design mistakes that can affect everything from usability and performance to accessibility and user trust.
Your visitors may never notice every detail individually, but they'll absolutely notice how effortless the experience feels if you take the time to make it so.
If you'd like a second pair of eyes before your next project goes live or a more comprehesive review of your website, reach out to our studio, Hart House Creative. We build and design more than tasty design tips and inspiring stories. Learn more about our team’s services.
Credits
Editor: Jenn Hart (More About Me)
Associate Editor: Sarah Dawoud
Art: Sharon Bakas
Author: Hannah Heine
Hannah is a writer and digital marketer living in Northern California. For the past decade, she has partnered with brands across industries to help them show up online with authenticity and purpose. After living in Italy, Spain, and South Korea, she brings a global perspective to her storytelling. A Kentucky native at heart, Hannah enjoys traveling, hiking, and chasing her toddler with her newborn in tow.
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Everything we share here is meant to be helpful and inspiring. We’re speaking from experience and past proof of concept. We respect each other's works, cultures, and opinions. The trends, examples, and observations in this article are provided for educational and inspirational purposes only. Mentioned brands, businesses, and cultural references are not affiliated with or endorsing this content. Opinions on all subject matter, audience behavior, and strategies are general observations and may not apply to every audience or situation. Always consider your brand values, goals, and audience sensitivities before implementing changes or creating new visual content. Please consult a qualified professional when needed to help make decisions. You are responsible for how you choose to use this information, and we are not liable for any loss, damages, or issues that may arise. We can’t be responsible for how things play out, but we’re always rooting for your success!
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