38 Website Design Mistakes That Are Killing Your Conversions

Your website should be one of the hardest-working assets in your business.

But if you’re an established female service provider offering a high-quality service — and your website still isn’t converting, there’s a reason. And no, it’s not because you need to try harder or post more on Instagram.

In my 9 years as a brand and website designer, I’ve seen the same conversion-killing mistakes show up again and again. Smart, driven women with incredible expertise… held back by websites that confuse, distract, or slow their visitors down.

Below, I’m breaking down 38 website design mistakes that kill conversions.

These are organized into seven categories so you can quickly identify what’s holding your site back, and start fixing it.

Category 1: User Experience & Navigation Mistakes

1. Not optimizing your website for mobile

Over 65% of website traffic comes from mobile. If your site isn’t mobile-friendly, you’re alienating more than half your audience.

2. Using a hamburger menu on desktop

On desktop, users expect visible navigation. Hiding it behind extra clicks creates unnecessary friction.

3. Broken or overly complex dropdown menus

If users struggle to click what they want, they’ll leave.

4. Navigation that isn’t at the top of the page

People expect things to be in certain places on a website. Creativity doesn’t trump usability. If visitors can’t find your menu, they won’t explore.

5. Transparent sticky menus

Text layered over scrolling backgrounds becomes unreadable fast.

6. Homepage slideshows with no context

Sliders are slow, outdated, and rarely communicate anything meaningful.

7. Overcrowded navigation bars

Stick to 5–7 core pages. More than that creates decision fatigue.

8. Making users work to reveal content

Hover effects and hidden content slow people down and increase confusion.

9. Excessive popups on arrival

One popup is plenty. More than that interrupts trust before it’s built.

Category 2: Visual & Motion Design Mistakes

10. Cluttered design

If everything is screaming for attention, nothing gets it.

11. Over-the-top animations

Motion should support content — not compete with it.

12. Sliders and animated hero sections

They slow load time and bury your message.

13. Splash pages

Every extra step is an opportunity for someone to leave.

14. Custom cursors

If it distracts from reading or clicking, it’s hurting conversions.

15–16. Flashy effects with no purpose

Animation for the sake of animation doesn’t build trust or clarity.

Category 3: Typography & Readability Issues

17. Center-aligned long paragraphs

Left-aligned text is easier to scan and read.

18. Buttons that don’t look clickable

Your CTAs should be obvious — not subtle.

19. Oversized logos

Your visitor cares more about what you do than your logo.

20. Preloaders instead of fast load times

If your site needs a loading animation, it’s too slow.

Category 4: Content & Messaging Problems

21. Hard-to-read fonts

Especially over busy images.

22. Low contrast text

If people have to strain, they’ll stop reading.

23. Giant blocks of text

Formatting matters. White space is your friend.

24. Thin homepages

Your homepage should clearly guide visitors where to go next. If there isn’t the information a visitor needs to take the next step, they will stop there.

25. Outdated or empty blogs

Old dates signal abandonment. Either refresh or remove.

26. Vague headlines

If your headline could apply to anyone, it resonates with no one.

27. No clear above-the-fold CTA

Always show visitors what to do next.

28. Weak or inconsistent branding

A cohesive brand builds trust without flashy tricks.

29. CTAs that don’t stand out

If it blends in, it won’t get clicked.

Category 5: Forms, Trust & Social Proof

30. Overly long forms

Shorter forms convert better — every time.

31. Forms without labels

Clarity reduces friction.

32. Too many ads or distractions

Overwhelm sends people running.

33. No testimonials or social proof

People want reassurance that others have gone before them.

Category 6: Media & Interactivity Issues

34. Auto-playing video

Instant distraction.

35. Auto-playing sound

Immediate deal breaker.

Category 7: Functionality & Technical Problems

36. Dead links or broken buttons

Few things erode trust faster.

37. Mobile popups that won’t close

If users can’t exit, they’ll exit your site entirely.

38. Forms cut off on screen

Make sure your form is clear and fits on one screen so they don’t have to scroll for the submit button.

Closing thoughts

A high-converting website isn’t about being flashy, clever, or endlessly creative.

It’s about clarity.

When your website clearly communicates who you help, how you help them, and what to do next, without friction, distraction, or confusion — it becomes a powerful extension of your business instead of a constant source of frustration.

The encouraging news is that most of the 38 mistakes you just read through are completely fixable. Many don’t require a full redesign or a massive investment of time or money.

They require intention, simplification, and a willingness to prioritize your user’s experience over your own attachment to certain design choices.

Once those foundational issues are addressed, that’s when your website can evolve from “looking professional” to functioning as a true sales system. One that builds trust, filters out the wrong-fit clients, and supports your income goals without you having to hustle harder.