5 Common Website Problems And How To Fix Them

30-Second Summary:

• Enhancing website performance through improved loading speed, mobile responsiveness, and UX is crucial for visitor satisfaction and SEO success.
• Effective SEO practices and the creation of high-quality, engaging content are key to increasing online visibility and user engagement.
• Prioritising website security and using analytics for performance tracking are essential for maintaining a secure and data-driven online presence.

We all know that your website serves as the frontline of your online presence. However, even the most well-designed websites can encounter problems that hinder their performance and user experience. Below, we’ll uncover some of the most common website problems faced by site owners today, along with practical, easy-to-implement solutions.

As you’ll want to ensure your website design is not just functional, but exceptional, everything from improving loading speeds to enhancing user engagement is crucial. So, how can you transform your website into a seamless, effective platform that resonates with your audience and supports your digital marketing goals? Read on to find out…

Problem 1 – Slow Loading Speed

A website that takes ages to load is like a shop with a long queue – customers simply won’t want to wait! Speed is synonymous with efficiency, so a slow-loading website not only tests the patience of your visitors but also negatively impacts your search engine rankings. Google, in particular, considers site speed an important factor in its ranking algorithm as it influences the user experience. With 53% of visits abandoned if a site takes longer than 3 seconds to load on mobile, you can see why.

How to Fix It:

• Optimise Images – Large images are one of the primary culprits behind slow loading times. By resizing images and using formats like JPEG for photographs and PNG for graphics, you can significantly reduce file sizes without compromising quality.
• Enable Browser Caching – This allows visitors’ browsers to store copies of your site’s individual pages. The next time they visit, the browser can load the page without sending another HTTP request to the server, speeding up the process dramatically.
• Minimise HTTP Requests – Reduce the number of elements on each page. Simplify your design by merging CSS and JavaScript files, and only use essential widgets and plugins.
• Use a Content Delivery Network (CDN) – CDNs distribute your content across multiple, geographically diverse servers, ensuring faster delivery of your website’s content to users regardless of their location.
• Upgrade Your Hosting Solution – Sometimes, the problem lies with your hosting service. Consider upgrading to a more robust hosting solution or a dedicated server if your current setup isn’t meeting your speed requirements.

By addressing these key areas, you can significantly improve your website’s loading speed, enhancing UX and SEO performance. Remember, every second counts!

Problem 2 – Poor Mobile Responsiveness

As a significant portion of your web traffic will arrive from mobile devices, a website that isn’t optimised for mobile viewing risks alienating a large number of potential visitors. Mobile responsiveness is not just about accessibility but is crucial for SEO, as search engines favour mobile-friendly websites.

How to Fix It:

• Implement a Responsive Design – This ensures that your website adjusts seamlessly to fit the screen size of any device. Use flexible grid layouts, fluid images, and media queries to enhance the user experience on smartphones and tablets.
• Simplify Navigation – Mobile users prefer straightforward navigation. Opt for a simple, easy-to-use menu that makes it effortless for visitors to find what they’re looking for, even on a smaller screen.
• Optimise Touchscreen Inputs – Unlike desktops, mobile devices rely on touchscreen inputs. Ensure buttons and form fields are adequately sized for finger tapping to avoid user frustration.
• Compress and Optimise Images – Large images can slow down your mobile site. Use compression tools to reduce file sizes without losing quality, ensuring faster loading times on mobile devices.
• Avoid Flash – Flash isn’t supported by most mobile browsers and can hinder your site’s mobile performance. Use modern web technologies like HTML5 to create interactive elements.
• Test Your Site on Multiple Devices: Regularly test your website’s mobile responsiveness on various devices and browsers to ensure a consistent and positive user experience. You can use Google Lighthouse to test for any continuing issues.

By prioritising mobile responsiveness, you not only cater to the vast mobile audience but also improve your site’s overall performance and ranking on search engines. Remember, a mobile-friendly website is no longer a luxury, but a necessity.

Problem 3 – Ineffective SEO

Having ineffective or weak SEO means your website is less visible in search engine results, reducing the chances of attracting organic traffic when users are searching for information, products, and services you can offer. 53.3% of all website traffic comes from organic search, but It’s not just about using keywords though, as SEO is a complex, ever-evolving effort that encompasses everything from content quality to site structure.

How to Fix It:

• Conduct Keyword Research – Identify the keywords that your target audience uses to search for products or services like yours. Tools like Google Keyword Planner, SEMrush, and Ahrefs can help here. Use these keywords strategically in your titles, headers, and throughout your content. That way, search engines will know your page is relevant to the query.
• Optimise Meta Tags – Title tags and meta descriptions play a key role, so ensure they are concise, include relevant keywords, and accurately describe your page content.
• Create Quality, Helpful Content – High-quality, original content is favoured by search engines. Google’s Helpful Content Update puts emphasis on user-first, helpful content, so if you’re not adding value it can impact your SERP positions. Regularly update your site with relevant, informative, and engaging content that adds value to your audience.
• Improve Site Structure and Navigation – A well-organised website helps search engines index your site more effectively, so use a clear hierarchy, sensible navigation, and internal linking between pages to enhance usability and SEO.
• Ensure Mobile-Friendliness – As previously mentioned, mobile responsiveness is a ranking factor. A mobile-friendly site contributes positively to your SEO efforts.
• Use Alt Text for Images – Descriptive alt text for images helps search engines understand the content of the images and how they relate to your keywords.
• Leverage Social Media – Active social media engagement can drive traffic to your website and improve your online visibility, indirectly boosting your SEO.
• Monitor Your SEO Performance – Use tools like Google Analytics and Google Search Console to track your website’s performance and make data-driven decisions to improve your SEO.

As many people realise, SEO is a marathon, not a sprint. It takes time, patience, and consistent effort to see results. Focusing on these areas, you can strengthen your SEO strategy and improve your website’s visibility and ranking in SERPs.

Problem 4 – Low-Quality Content

Content isn’t just about filling pages with words. It’s about providing value to your visitors. Low-quality, unengaging content can turn visitors away, negatively impacting your site’s credibility and search engine rankings. It’s a competitive landscape no matter what your business niche is, so having content that is primarily made for users, not search engines, will help you stand out.

How to Fix It:

• Understand Your Audience – Tailor your content to meet the needs and interests of your target audience. Conduct audience research to understand what they are looking for, their preferences, and their pain points.
• Focus on Originality and Relevance – Create original content that is not only relevant to your audience but also adds value. Avoid duplicate content as it can harm your SEO efforts.
• Maintain a Consistent Voice and Style – Consistency in tone and style helps in building a brand voice. Whether it’s professional, friendly, or informative, ensure it aligns with your brand and resonates with your audience.
• Incorporate Multimedia – Text alone can be tedious for users, so enrich your content with relevant images, videos, infographics, and audio to enhance engagement and retention.
• Regularly Update Your Content – Keep your content fresh and updated to ensure it remains relevant and useful. Review older pages and see how you can add further value to them.
• Optimise for SEO – While maintaining quality, optimise your content for search engines. Use keywords naturally, structure your content with headings and subheadings, and ensure it is easily readable.
• Encourage User Engagement – Invite your audience to interact with your content through comments, shares, and feedback. This not only increases engagement but also gives you insights into your audience’s preferences.
• Proofread and Edit – Errors and typos can undermine the credibility of your content. Make sure to proofread and edit your content thoroughly before publishing.

Quality content not only attracts and retains visitors but also establishes your website as a credible source in your field. Investing in high-quality content is investing in the success of your website, so it is well worth putting the effort into improving the quality of pages.

Problem 5 – Poor User Experience (UX)

A site that’s difficult to navigate, confusing, or doesn’t meet the user’s needs can lead to high bounce rates and poor conversion rates. 88% of customers won’t return after a bad user experience, so you want to create a seamless, intuitive, and enjoyable journey for your visitors. Fixing common UX related website problems is essential if you want to be competitive.

How to Fix It:

• Simplify Navigation – Ensure your website’s navigation is intuitive and straightforward. A well-structured menu, clear categories, and a search bar can significantly enhance the ease of finding information.
• Optimise Page Loading Speed – As previously mentioned, a slow website can frustrate users. Fast loading times are essential for a positive UX.
• Design for Accessibility – Your website should be accessible to all users, including those with disabilities. Use alt text for images, provide sufficient contrast between text and background, and ensure keyboard navigability.
• Create Responsive and Mobile-Friendly Design – As mentioned above, ensuring your website is responsive and mobile-friendly is crucial for good UX.
• Use Clear and Compelling Call to Actions (CTAs) – Guide users through your site with clear and compelling CTAs. Whether it’s to make a purchase, sign up for a newsletter, or read more content, make it easy for users to know what to do next.
• Incorporate Feedback Mechanisms – Include options for users to leave feedback about their experience. This not only improves user engagement but also provides valuable insights into how you can enhance your site.
• Regularly Test and Update – UX design is an ongoing process. Regularly test different elements of your website and update based on user behaviour and feedback.

By prioritising a positive user experience, you not only retain visitors but also turn them into advocates for your brand. Remember, a great user experience leads to satisfied customers and, ultimately, better business outcomes.

Other Common Problems on Websites to Address

While we’ve covered some of the primary issues affecting websites, there are many other areas you’ll want to consider to ensure your site performs optimally.

• Inadequate Security – Security is paramount in protecting not just your website, but also your users’ information. Implement SSL certificates, regularly update your software, and educate your internal team on security best practices to safeguard against cyber threats.
• Broken Links and Error Pages – Nothing disrupts the user experience quite like encountering a dead end. Regularly check for and fix broken links. Implementing user-friendly error pages can also guide visitors back when they stumble upon a non-existent page.
• Lack of Analytics and Performance Tracking – Without tracking, you’re navigating blind. Utilising tools like Google Analytics helps you understand user behaviour, track conversions, and make informed decisions to optimise your site.

How Healthy Is Your Website?

So, from enhancing loading speeds to ensuring an effective SEO strategy, the steps we’ve outlined are key to creating a robust online presence that avoids common website design problems. Remember, a great website is not just about attracting visitors but delivering an exceptional user experience that converts visitors into loyal customers.

Is your website meeting its full potential? If you are unsure or need assistance, contact the Absolute team today for a comprehensive website audit and expert guidance on elevating your site’s performance.

Let us help you turn your website into a powerful asset for your business by helping you avoid common website problems that could be holding you back – reach out today!

For further insights, please visit our blog, where you can discover the top 5 personalisation trends for 2024, and 4 key factors that influence your conversion rate.