Design Mistakes to Avoid

What You’ll Learn

• The most common design errors seen on small business websites.
• Why these mistakes hurt credibility, conversions, and readability.
• How to fix each issue using simple, repeatable guidelines.
• How to avoid clutter, distraction, and inconsistent branding.
• How to apply better design habits across WordPress + Elementor.

Top Design Mistakes to Avoid

1. Crowded Pages With No Spacing

   Too much content without enough breathing room makes your pages feel overwhelming.

   • Increase vertical spacing between sections.
   • Use consistent padding (40–60px).
   • Break long content into short, readable blocks.
2. Using Too Many Fonts

   More than 2–3 font styles creates visual noise and weakens brand identity.

   • Use one font for headings, one for body text.
   • Avoid mixing decorative fonts with serious business tones.
   • Check global typography in Elementor to stay consistent.
3. Low Text Contrast

   Light grey text on a light background is difficult to read and reduces accessibility.

   • Choose high-contrast color pairs.
   • Use dark text on light backgrounds for most sections.
   • Add overlays when placing text on images.
4. Using Low-Quality or Irrelevant Images

   Pixelated, stretched, or generic stock images weaken trust.

   • Maintain consistent aspect ratios.
   • Use images that match your brand style.
   • Avoid clichés like handshakes or staged office scenes.
5. Poor Visual Hierarchy

   When everything looks equal, users don’t know where to look first.

   • Make the main headline the largest element.
   • Use color and weight to highlight CTAs.
   • Reduce emphasis on secondary elements.
6. Inconsistent Colors, Buttons, and Icons

   Mixing styles makes your site feel unprofessional and unstructured.

   • Limit your palette to 1 primary, 1 secondary, and neutrals.
   • Use the same button shape and size site-wide.
   • Choose one icon style (stroke or filled).
7. Walls of Text

   Long paragraphs without breaks reduce scanning and engagement.

   • Use bullet points for quick reading.
   • Add subheadings every 2–4 paragraphs.
   • Keep lines 60–80 characters wide for readability.
8. Poor Alignment

   Misaligned text, icons, and images create visual chaos.

   • Left-align paragraphs consistently.
   • Use containers in Elementor to control structure.
   • Align elements to an invisible grid (max-width container).
9. Overusing Animations and Special Effects

   Animations should support—not distract from—content.

   • Use gentle fade or slide animations sparingly.
   • Avoid multiple animations triggering at once.
   • Never animate essential text users must read quickly.
10. Weak or Confusing CTAs

    Buttons that blend into the layout reduce conversions.

    • Use your primary brand color for CTAs.
    • Place CTAs above the fold and after key sections.
    • Use clear action text like “Book a Call” or “Get a Quote.”

How to Avoid These Mistakes in WordPress + Elementor

1. Use Global Styles: Set global colors, fonts, and button styles first.
2. Check Spacing: Apply consistent section padding and avoid random values.
3. Use Flexbox Containers: Align items evenly for a clean layout.
4. Optimize Images: Use WebP, compression, and proper dimensions.
5. Test Mobile First: Ensure spacing, typography, and CTAs still follow hierarchy.

Do’s & Don’ts Overview

Quick Fix Exercises (10–15 Minutes)

1. Reduce your site’s fonts to two: one heading, one body.
2. Add more spacing between major sections.
3. Replace one generic stock photo with something on-brand.
4. Increase the contrast of your main text.
5. Rewrite one vague CTA into a direct action-oriented one.

Design Mistakes Checklist

• Clear spacing throughout the layout.
• Limited, consistent font usage.
• Readable text with high contrast.
• Consistent icon, button, and color usage.
• Strong hierarchy with defined focal points.
• Minimal distractions and clean alignment.