5 Common DIY Website Mistakes to Avoid

As a fellow female entrepreneur, I totally understand the appeal of designing your own website. It gives you the freedom to control every little detail, tailor the aesthetics to your unique brand, and save a bunch of money in the process.

But the truth is, even with all the user-friendly website builders and pre-made templates out there, it’s shockingly easy to make some common missteps when you’re handling the whole website thing yourself. And these little mistakes can end up really undermining the effectiveness of your online home, making it harder to attract and convert your ideal clients.

Whether you’re just starting to build your first website or you’re ready to give an existing DIY design a refresh, this guide will help you create a professional, high-performing online home for your brand. Let’s dive in!

Mistake #1: Choosing the Wrong Website Platform

When it comes to building your online presence, the platform you choose is one of the most important decisions you’ll make. And let me tell you, friend – there are a lot of options out there. From Showit and Squarespace to WordPress and Wix, it can feel totally overwhelming trying to figure out which one is the best fit for your business.

Now, I get it – the temptation of an easy-to-use, drag-and-drop website builder like Showit can be super tempting, especially if you’re not a tech-savvy person. And those pre-made templates? Absolute lifesavers. But the platform you choose can actually make a huge difference in the long run, impacting everything from your design capabilities to your website’s functionality and scalability.

You see, each platform has its own unique strengths and limitations. Showit, for example, is renowned for its visual, design-focused approach and flexible customization options. But if you think you might want to integrate a robust e-commerce system down the line, it might not be your best bet.

The moral of the story is this: take the time to really research the top website platforms, understand their pros and cons, and choose the one that aligns best with your current AND future needs. It’s a decision that can save you a major headache (and possibly a complete website rebuild) down the road.

Mistake #2: Overcomplicating the Design

Okay, let’s talk design. I get it – when you’re building your own website, it’s tempting to want to pack in alllll the bells and whistles. Fancy fonts, eye-catching animations, a dozen different color schemes…the possibilities are endless!

But here’s the thing – sometimes, less really is more when it comes to website design. In fact, one of the telltale signs I often see in DIY websites is a serious case of overcomplicated design. And trust me, that can end up doing more harm than good.

Instead, I always encourage my clients to keep things nice and simple. Stick to a cohesive color palette, maybe 2-3 complementary fonts, and clean, uncluttered layouts that guide your visitors through your site with ease. It may not feel as exciting as cramming every design trick in the book, but I promise your users (and your brand!) will thank you.

Mistake #3: Overloading with Content

Okay, so we’ve covered the importance of choosing the right website platform and keeping your design simple and streamlined. But you know what else is crucial for creating an effective DIY website? Being really strategic about the content on each of your pages.

It’s so easy to fall into the trap of trying to cram every last detail about your business, services, and offerings onto your website. I mean, you want to make sure visitors have all the information they need, right? But the truth is, bombarding people with endless paragraphs of text and cluttered page layouts is a surefire way to lose their attention (and their interest!).

Instead, focus on having a clear purpose and goal for each section of your website. What do you want people to know, feel, or do when they land on a particular page? Keep your messaging concise and scannable, using headings, bullet points, and strategic white space to make it easy for visitors to digest.

And don’t forget the power of a strong call-to-action! Every page on your site should have a clear next step you want people to take – whether that’s booking a consultation, checking out your pricing, or simply learning more about your background. Don’t leave them guessing about what to do next.

Mistake #4: Neglecting Mobile Optimization

In today’s digital landscape, having a website that looks and functions beautifully on smaller screens is an absolute must. In fact, studies show that over 60% of web traffic now comes from mobile devices. Just check your website analytics! That means the majority of people who land on your site are probably doing so from their smartphones or tablets.

And let me tell you, a website that’s not optimized for mobile can quickly become a total nightmare to navigate. Tiny text, cramped layouts, delayed load times – it’s enough to send visitors running straight back to Google to find a better option.

Now, auditing your mobile site might sound intimidating, but it’s actually pretty straightforward. Just grab your smartphone, pull up your website, and start clicking around. Does your navigation menu work seamlessly? Can visitors easily access your contact info or book a consultation? Is everything nicely spaced out and easy to read?

Mistake #5: Ignoring SEO

Now, I know SEO can feel like a super complicated and technical topic, but the truth is, there are some really simple things you can do on your DIY website to give your search engine rankings a nice little boost. And trust me, it’s worth taking the time to get these basics right.

You see, optimizing your website for search engines isn’t just about ranking higher in Google (although that’s certainly a nice perk!). It’s also about making it easy for your ideal clients to actually find you online in the first place. Think about it – if your pages aren’t properly optimized, how will people searching for your specific products or services even know you exist?

So what kinds of SEO elements should you be focusing on for your DIY website? Well, start by making sure your page titles, meta descriptions, headings, and image alt text are all crafted with your target keywords in mind. This helps search engines quickly understand what your content is all about.