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A good web design should be invisible

On average, people visit 6–10 webpages a day and spend less than a minute on each. That gives your website seconds to capture attention, communicate value, and guide visitors to act.

The irony? The best web design often goes completely unnoticed.

When it’s done right, users don’t stop to admire it they simply move through your site effortlessly, finding what they need without friction.

Sonja Hanekom our product designer at Intellicore shares some of the common pitfalls businesses face when designing or redesigning their websites.  

Common web design pitfalls (and how to avoid them)

Design for desktop in a mobile-first world

One of the biggest mistakes is designing a website for desktop first, then trying to adapt it for mobile. With the majority of users now browsing on their phones, this approach often leads to clunky, frustrating mobile experiences. Instead, start with responsive design from the outset and always consider your audience.  

For example, B2B users may still lean more toward desktop, so understanding your users is key.  

Slow loading pages  

If your website takes more than three seconds to load, many users will leave before they even see it. Speed isn’t just a technical detail, it’s critical to user experience and conversions.

Unclear navigation  

Too many menu items, hidden buttons, or confusing layouts can quickly overwhelm visitors. If users have to think too hard to find what they’re looking for, they won’t stick around.

No clear Call to Action (CTA)  

If it looks pretty but has no purpose, or guide for the user to take the next step whether that’s making an enquiry, signing up or making a purchase then it’s not an effective website.

Inconsistent branding  

Mixed fonts, clashing colours, and inconsistent imagery create a disjointed experience. Strong, cohesive branding builds trust and reinforces your identity.

Ignoring accessibility

Good design should work for everyone. Often the accessibility changes we make make all visitor's lives easier. - If it looks nice but they can't read it, what is the point?

Outdated design or content

Old testimonials, broken links, and dated visuals can damage credibility. Your website is often your first impression, make sure it reflects your business as it is today.

Sonja comments, “Web design isn’t just about coding or visual appeal. It’s about understanding your brand, defining the goal of your website, and thinking carefully about how your visitors will interact with it.”

Ready to create a website that works for you?

If you’re thinking about creating or refreshing your website, the key is to build something that’s tailored to your brand, your audience, and your goals.

Get in touch with Intellicore today to find out how we can help you create a bespoke website that not only looks great but performs.

info@intellicore.co.uk  

Sonja Hanekom

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