A slow, Outdated, and Unresponsive site can make visitors leave within seconds—and they won’t come back.
The reality? 94% of users judge a site based on design alone. If your site looks unprofessional, visitors won’t trust it—and they definitely won’t buy from you.
Even worse, 88% of online users won’t return to a site after a bad experience. That means every design mistake could be costing you repeat customers and sales.
So, today, I’ll share simple fixes to 15 terrible web design mistakes that could help you win back visitors, boost trust, and increase sales.
Here’s your text with bold headings and italicized descriptions while keeping everything else unchanged:
1. Cluttered Layouts
If the layout is cluttered or too complex, the visitor will no longer know where to locate himself or what he is expected to do next.
For example: Arngren crams so much content on one page that it’s nearly impossible to focus.
So, as in any other design, the golden rule is that a clean layout speaks louder than a cluttered mess.
2. Outdated, Boring Design
If your site looks like it hasn’t been updated in years, it falls into the category of terrible web design. An outdated design instantly makes a website feel untrustworthy.
For example: Space Jam still uses design elements from the early 2000s, which can turn visitors away.
I would never settle for a look that screams “past its prime” its a terrible web design choice.
3. Poor Navigation
When visitors can’t quickly figure out where to click next, they leave.
For example: Yale School of Art’s has confusing menus that make users feel lost.
I’ve learned that clear, intuitive navigation is the backbone of great web-design.
4. No Mobile-Friendly Design
With more and more of the population using their mobile devices to go online, not having a responsive design for the site is inadvisable.
For example: Ling’s Cars appears sleek on a large screen but becomes impractical to use on a smartphone.
I can only think of a situation where a person is trying to use a site on their phone and they couldn’t—don’t let that be you.
5. Slow Loading Times
One of the biggest signs of terrible web design is a slow-loading site.
For example: CNN struggles to load its images, causing frustration.
That’s why I always try to achieve the fastest possible loading time because every second matter.
6. Inconsistent Design Elements
It should be noted that using different fonts, colors, and styles can make your site look unprofessional. A terrible web design lacks consistency.
For example: Pacific Northwest X-Ray Inc. switches between dozens of fonts and colors, confusing the viewer.
Although I have no actual stories, there is an element that I stood by in practice over the years – consistency forges trust.
7. Auto-Playing Media
Background playing of videos or music can be rather disruptive. Let your users choose when to engage with media.
For example: CNN starts playing loud music as soon as you visit.
For that reason, I would never put visitors through such a shock.
15. Ignoring User Experience (UX)
A site that’s hard to use is a site people hate. Bad UX costs companies billions yearly—Forbes says it’s $100B in 2024 alone.
Real-Life Example: 4chan is basic and clunky, barely hanging on by popularity.
Fix It: Test your site with real people. Make it smooth. I’ve learned UX is everything—prioritize it.
9. Overuse of Pop-Ups
Too many pop-ups can make your site feel spammy and annoying.
For example: PopupParty bombards users with multiple pop-ups, interrupting their experience.
Do you see how bad that feels? I always keep pop-ups minimal.
10. Broken Links or Buttons
There is no greater turn-off to the users other than clicking on a link only to find out that it is non-functional.
For example: DeadEndLinks has outdated, non-functional links scattered throughout its pages.
I always double-check my links because every broken link is a missed opportunity.
11. Unclear Contact Information
Your visitors should always know how to reach you.
For example: Headhunter Styling hides its contact details, leaving users guessing.
If I were in your shoes, I’d make sure contact info is accessible and, it contains at least an email.
12. Inadequate Use of Whitespace
Whitespace is not wasted space—it’s key to readability and focus.
For example: Yahoopacks information too tightly, making it hard to digest.
I always ensure there’s enough breathing room on my pages.
13. Tiny, Weird, Hard-to-Read Fonts
Small fonts and low contrast can tire your visitors’ eyes quickly.
For example: Yale School Of Arts uses fonts so small you need to squint to read them.
I’ve learned that simple, clear text goes a long way.
14. Ignoring SEO Basics
Without proper SEO, even a great website can get lost.
For example: InvisibleSite ignores meta tags, alt texts, and structured data, which hurts its search engine rankings.
As someone who loves a good SEO strategy, I always ensure I optimize the pages.
15. No Clear Call-to-Action (CTA)
Your CTAs should guide visitors clearly.
For example: LostOpportunities fails to tell users what to do next, resulting in missed conversions.
In my case I like to consider a great CTA as an open invitation: it is clear, short, and persuasive.
Final Conclusion:
Out of all the mistakes I’ve seen, even a small error can hurt your site. I’ve researched hard on this topic and know that bad layouts, slow loading times, or unresponsive sites drive visitors away. There are tons of web design agencies out there, or you can reach out to pros like Spoonbill Sites, we focus on clear, simple designs that work perfectly. If you’re tired of seeing these terrible web design mistakes and want a website that eliminates these problems, Contact us today to build a website that correctly represents your brand and work. Despite many web design agencies, it should be known that good design is based on an understanding of the target audience and improving on it. Your visitors deserve value, and so do you
