Website designing is more than creating something beautiful and remarkable. It is more about functionality that melds into aesthetics. A great website usually has many professionals working on different aspects till it is perfect. Therefore, designing any site takes time, perseverance and resources. If you are in a time-crunch, chances are you will end up with a slightly over-stuffed, over-designed site that screams for rescue.

Website designs have to be visually pleasing to the target group, but they also need to be pleasing to the crawlers too. Only a few website designers keep search engine optimization and user experience in mind, while they are designing new websites. These contribute to some of the most significant mistakes in site design.

Here are a five design mistakes you must avoid today:
Over-designing

It is the first fatal flaw of any website. Most of the sites we see today are either too gaudy or too cluttered. Sadly, neither can make up for a good and functional website that can offer a remarkable user experience. UX is the only thing you need to worry about while designing the basics including background, layout, color coordination, and navigation options. You are developing your site for the people. The design and options must appeal to the people. You should not cram too many features that do not have a purpose. You need to keep it simple and stay away from all distracting elements.

A great way to achieve this is by smartly utilizing the whitespace or negative space on the page. The area of the page that is “empty” makes up the negative space you can find the graphic elements, texts, and images. Whitespace balances out the content, limits distractions, and helps in guiding visitors to the right content.

Not appealing to the right users

While designing people forget to target their specific users. If you are targeting new mothers or soon-to-be mothers, you might want to keep a baby related theme. Usually, powder blue and baby pink colors go well with these simple yet cutesy themes. If you are targeting automobile lovers, you might want to use logos of famous automobile manufacturers and other relevant themes.

Research shows that color, images, layout and design features can easily attract or repel a user. Your buyer persona likely has their own preferences and dislikes. You need to research their buying habits before you can confidently usher them in for a buy.

Non-functional design elements

Your website should not have too many frills. Unusable design elements on the site may contribute to the looks of your site, but they will surely add to the weight as well. When designing a new site, you need to think about its usability and functionality. Design and technicality should play into each other to help conversion rates. Each link must be swift, and each CTA must be in plain sight. Amazon puts forth a great example of minimal, functional and user-friendly website design that is fast and easy to use.

Complex designs

No one has the time to sit and solve the mystery of your sit. You need to give visitors clear answers to their queries. If they are looking for a particular product your inventory holds, you need to provide them with a way to find it. Include live searches, galleries, filtering options and lots of FAQs to help your potential customer make a purchase.

Lay out your entire website content clearly and visibly. Each visual element should serve as a clue to what is important and what actions the user can take next. Pay more attention to the visual hierarchy of design, and you will find more visitors becoming buyers easily.

Not including enough visual cues

Your design elements should create new paths for conversions. For example – if you have a new product on discount, you can try posting an image of the same with the offer details and an exciting catch line on the header image slider. Design elements need to be smart cues that guide user attention right where it needs to be. Do not forget to couple these elements with the right CTAs to aid your conversion rate.

The ideal way to convey the purpose of your business and your site is to find the perfect content to image balance. You need to pay more attention to what your customer wants. Conduct surveys, follow your target groups on social media and find out what they are saying about you. Once you understand their needs and desires correctly, you will find it much easier to find designs, colors, and content that resonates with your target groups.