The Top 10 Mistakes People Make When Starting a New Website

Reflecting on the Top 10 Errors Individuals Commit When Embarking on a Fresh Website

Embarking on a new website project can be both thrilling and daunting. Having created several websites in the past, I now recognize the numerous errors I made during that journey. The website creation process involves a series of choices, ranging from selecting the design layout to opting for the appropriate hosting service. Through my own trial and error experiences, I have gained valuable insights that I wish I had possessed earlier. Thus, here is an overview of the primary 10 mistakes I encountered (which are common among many others) when initiating a new website, along with strategies to prevent them.

1. Choosing the Wrong Layout

One of the initial errors I committed was opting for a visually attractive layout that failed to fulfill the intended function of my website. I selected a layout abundant in flashy sliders and animations, which turned out to be overly intricate for my requirements. This resulted in a cluttered appearance and hindered navigation on the site.

How to Do It Better:

Prioritize user experience when selecting a layout. Consider the actions you want visitors to take upon arriving on your site. Opt for a simple, user-friendly design over one that is cluttered with excessive design elements. Emphasize clarity and simplicity.

2. Selecting an Inappropriate Theme

Themes that appeared stylish or fashionable caught my attention, yet I neglected to consider their practicality. Certain themes lacked responsiveness and failed to provide the adaptability required for making modifications without coding.

How to Do It Better:

When selecting a theme, it's important to consider more than just its appearance. Verify that the theme is responsive (optimized for mobile devices), customizable, and works well with the most recent version of your platform. Additionally, confirm that the theme receives adequate support from its developers, as you will require updates and bug fixes in the future.

3. Not Considering Hosting Needs Properly

Initially, I opted for the most affordable hosting plan. While it appeared to be a great bargain initially, it didn't take long for me to encounter problems such as downtime and sluggish loading times. My website would frequently crash when traffic was high, and the customer service was practically non-existent.

How to Do It Better:

To make a wise investment, choose a hosting provider that is dependable. Check for attributes such as uptime assurances, quick loading speeds, and excellent customer service. If you expect sudden increases in traffic, confirm that your hosting provider can manage it or provides flexible plans. While shared hosting works well for minor websites, VPS or dedicated hosting is preferable for bigger ventures.

4. Not Optimizing for Mobile

At the beginning, I paid a lot of attention to the appearance of my site on a desktop, neglecting mobile optimization completely. Consequently, the mobile version of my site was cumbersome and challenging to navigate, leading to a decrease in traffic.

How to Do It Better:

Mobile-first design is crucial in the modern world. It is important to test your website on various devices to ensure responsiveness. Ensure that text is easily readable without the need for zooming, and buttons are simple to tap. Google gives priority to mobile-optimized websites in its search rankings, making this process essential for SEO.

5. Overloading with Plugins

One more error I committed was overloading my site with numerous plugins in the hope of enhancing its features. However, this decision resulted in decreased speed and compatibility problems, ultimately causing frequent crashes.

How to Do It Better:

Use only essential plugins. Having too many plugins can cause performance issues and security vulnerabilities. Choose trustworthy, highly-rated plugins that are crucial for your requirements, and regularly update them to avoid any compatibility issues.

6. Ignoring SEO Early On

Initially, I didn't focus on search engine optimization (SEO) much. I believed that by simply creating the site, traffic would automatically flow in. It didn't take long for me to notice that my site wasn't appearing in Google search results at all.

How to Do It Better:

From the very beginning, it's important to think about SEO. Begin with fundamental on-page SEO techniques such as enhancing your URLs, meta tags, headers, and images. Utilize keyword research tools to discover the search terms your audience is using. Develop a strong content strategy and establish backlinks to enhance your website's ranking.

7. Not Setting Clear Goals

Upon launching my initial website, I lacked a defined objective. I was uncertain whether I should create an e-commerce platform, a blog, or a portfolio. Consequently, my website lacked direction, leading to confusion among visitors regarding its purpose.

How to Do It Better:

Establish specific and measurable objectives for your website prior to commencing its development. Whether the aim is to drive sales, foster a community, or exhibit your portfolio, having a defined purpose will steer your decisions on design, content strategy, and marketing endeavors.

8. Not Considering Website Speed

When I was busy creating my initial website, I overlooked the importance of loading speed. The site was burdened with oversized images, superfluous animations, and inefficiently optimized code, resulting in a sluggish performance. This led to visitors becoming impatient and leaving the site promptly.

How to Do It Better:

To improve your website's speed, consider compressing images, utilizing a content delivery network (CDN), and reducing the usage of resource-intensive scripts and animations. Google's PageSpeed Insights tool can assist in pinpointing the factors that are causing your site to slow down and offer recommendations for enhancement.

9. Skipping Regular Backups

Learning the hard way, I discovered the importance of setting up regular backups. I experienced a devastating loss after a plugin malfunctioned, resulting in the loss of all my work due to the absence of a backup. This was a costly and frustrating lesson.

How to Do It Better:

It is important to always have a contingency plan. While some hosting providers provide automatic backups, if they do not, make sure to utilize a trustworthy plugin or service to consistently backup your website's content and databases. This precaution can prevent complete data loss in the event of a system failure or security incident.

10. Neglecting Security Measures

When I first began, I had little knowledge about website security. I failed to set up fundamental security measures, leading to an attack on my site shortly after. As a result, I was locked out of the admin panel, and it took weeks to regain control.

How to Do It Better:

Ensuring security should be your highest concern. Implement security plugins, activate two-factor authentication, utilize robust passwords, and consistently update all themes and plugins. Conduct routine checks for malware and any questionable activities on your site. Maintaining a secure website is essential for safeguarding your data and your visitors' details.

Creating a website can be a fulfilling journey, yet it comes with various challenges. Making errors such as selecting an inappropriate layout or overlooking SEO and security can significantly impact the success of your site. Based on my own journey, I have discovered that careful planning, prioritizing user experience, and focusing on technical aspects are crucial for developing a prosperous website. By steering clear of these typical mistakes, you can prevent unnecessary complications and develop a website that excels and meets your objectives.