8 Rookie Mistakes Guaranteed to Ruin Your Website Redesign

Originally written in 2015, this post has helped countless businesses avoid major pitfalls in their website redesigns. Now, in 2024, we’ve updated it to reflect the latest best practices in web design, SEO, and user experience. Website redesigns have come a long way, but these common mistakes are still just as easy to fall into—and just as damaging to your business if ignored.

Whether you’re about to revamp your website or simply want to keep up with the latest trends, avoid these eight rookie mistakes to ensure your redesign is both beautiful and functional.

1) Failure to Identify Clear, Data-Driven Goals

Redesigning a website without a solid plan is like navigating without a map. In 2024, goals should go beyond aesthetics and focus on specific metrics like conversions, mobile experience, speed, and engagement.

Examples of SMART Goals:

Increase mobile conversions by 20% in the next quarter.
Reduce bounce rate by 15% over the next six months.
Improve page load speed to under 3 seconds in the next 30 days (Google PageSpeed Insights).

Ensure your goals are tied to measurable outcomes and guide each stage of the redesign—from wireframing to development.

2) Ignoring Data and Analytics

Your current website’s data offers a goldmine of insights. Before starting your redesign, audit your site’s performance using tools like Google Analytics 4 and heatmaps to understand user behavior (Google Analytics 4). Make data-driven decisions to carry over what’s working and improve what’s not.

Key Data Points to Consider:

Bounce rate and average session duration.
Conversion rates on landing pages.
Traffic sources and user flow (Hotjar Heatmaps).
Core Web Vitals like load time and interactivity (Core Web Vitals).

Without setting benchmarks, you’ll have no way to measure the success of your new site.

3) Overlooking Accessibility

Accessibility isn’t optional anymore—it’s mandatory. Websites must comply with WCAG 2.1 standards to ensure usability for everyone, including people with disabilities. Accessible design benefits all users and can protect your business from legal risks (WCAG Guidelines).

Quick Checklist for Accessibility:

Provide text alternatives for non-text content.
Ensure keyboard navigation works seamlessly.
Use high-contrast colors for readability.

4) Not Prioritizing Mobile

Mobile-first design is no longer just a recommendation; it’s essential. With Google’s mobile-first indexing, the mobile version of your website is the primary version Google evaluates for rankings (Mobile-First Indexing). Ensure the mobile experience is fast, easy to navigate, and visually engaging.

Mobile Stats to Know:

More than 50% of global web traffic comes from mobile devices (Statista).
53% of mobile users will leave a page if it takes longer than 3 seconds to load (Google Mobile Page Speed Benchmarks).

5) Neglecting Website Speed

Page speed is a critical factor, both for user experience and SEO. Slow websites frustrate users and rank poorly on search engines (Google PageSpeed Insights). Use tools like Google Lighthouse to audit your site and optimize it for faster load times.

Ways to Improve Site Speed:

Optimize images and use next-gen formats like WebP (WebP).
Minimize JavaScript and CSS.
Leverage browser caching (Browser Caching Guide).

6) Ignoring SEO and Structured Data

A redesign should always consider SEO. From URL structures to meta tags, to internal linking, every aspect should be optimized. Implement schema markup to help search engines understand your content and improve your visibility in SERPs (Schema.org).

SEO Essentials for Redesign:

Ensure a proper URL structure for all pages.
Optimize title tags, meta descriptions, and alt text.
Implement structured data using schema.org (Google Structured Data Guide).

7) Skipping Security and Privacy

Security is a top priority in 2024. Websites need to protect user data and comply with regulations like GDPR and CCPA (GDPR Compliance). Your redesign should include HTTPS, regular security patches, and clear privacy policies.

Security Must-Haves:

HTTPS encryption for all pages (Why HTTPS Matters).
Regular security audits and updates.
Strong password protocols and multi-factor authentication (MFA) for admins.

8) Assuming the Website Is Finished Post-Launch

Your website is never “done.” After the launch, you should continuously monitor performance, test different elements, and update content. Tools like A/B testing and Conversion Rate Optimization (CRO) should be used to improve your website’s effectiveness over time (A/B Testing Guide).

Post-Launch Actions:

Monitor performance metrics regularly.
Run A/B tests on CTAs and landing pages (VWO A/B Testing).
Update content to reflect changes in your business or industry trends.

8 Rookie Mistakes Guaranteed to Ruin Your Web Site Redesign