10 Website Design Mistakes You Need to Stop Making in 2026

A website often becomes the first touchpoint for customers who want to learn about your business. It builds trust, influences buying decisions and affects how easily visitors can take action. As we move into 2026, a lot of SMEs continue to overlook the same basic website design problems. These mistakes reduce conversions, weaken credibility and limit organic search performance. This is supported by research showing that visual design quality and usability have a direct impact on user experience and how visitors evaluate a website.  You can avoid these issues by improving structure, strengthening UX and refining your content. A website design company in KL would usually cover these best practices in their workflow, but this guide helps you understand each issue clearly before making changes.

1. Ignoring Mobile-First Design

Mobile browsing is the main way users visit websites today. People compare prices, check services, search for directions, read reviews and contact businesses directly on their phones. When a website is not designed for mobile, common issues appear such as small text, cramped buttons, shifting layouts and slow loading. These problems make the site difficult to use, and most users exit within seconds.

Common Issues

• Text becomes too small
• Elements overlap
• Buttons are hard to tap
• Images stretch in strange ways
• Forms take too long to fill

How to Fix

• Use clear spacing to avoid clutter
• Increase text size
• Place buttons with enough tapping distance
• Simplify forms
• Test every page using several phone sizes

A professional web design company knows how to build responsive layouts that adapt smoothly across devices.

2. Slow Loading Speed 

A slow website causes users to leave almost immediately. Loading speed has a direct influence on user experience, bounce rate, conversions and how well your site performs in Google search. Many people overlook this issue because the site may load fine on fast Wi-Fi, but users on mobile data experience long delays, broken elements or incomplete pages.

Common Issues

• Images are too heavy
• Unnecessary plugins drag performance
• Weak hosting plans
• Excessive animations or scripts

How to Fix

• Compress images without losing quality
• Remove plugins that are not needed
• Upgrade hosting to something more stable
• Minimise heavy scripts and slow widgets

Fast websites keep visitors engaged longer and help you rank better for terms and other related searches.

3. Using Outdated Layouts That Reduce Trust

Design standards evolve quickly, and websites that still use old layouts can feel unprofessional or unreliable. When visitors see outdated visuals, cluttered sections or mismatched design elements, they often assume the business is inactive, low quality or not up to current expectations. This reduces trust and makes users less likely to contact you or explore your services.

Common Issues

• Crowded pages
• Random colour choices
• Templates that were popular many years ago
• Large text blocks with no visual guidance

How to Fix

• Clean spacing
• Clear information flow
• Simple visuals
• Minimal distractions
• Consistent branding

Refreshing your layout through website design services improves both trust and clarity.

4. No Clear Call-to-Action (CTA)

Visitors take action only when the next step is obvious. If your website does not guide users with clear CTAs, they hesitate, scroll around without direction and eventually leave. This leads to fewer enquiries, fewer sign-ups and lower conversions, even if your content and visuals are strong.

Common Issues

• Buttons hidden at the bottom
• Vague labels
• Only one CTA placed on a long page

How to Fix

• “Request a Quote”
• “Message Us on WhatsApp”
• “Book a Consultation”
• “Contact Our Team”

Place CTAs in key locations so users never feel lost.

5. Messy Content Structure That Confuses Visitors

Most visitors skim through a website to find quick answers. When content is arranged without clear headings, spacing or logical flow, users struggle to understand what your business offers. This leads to frustration, higher exit rates and lost enquiries. A messy structure also makes your site harder for search engines to interpret, which affects visibility.

Common Issues

• Long paragraphs without breaks
• Missing subheadings
• Content appears in an illogical order
• Too much information shown at once

How to Fix

• Write in shorter blocks
• Use meaningful subheadings
• Group related information together
• Add bullet points to simplify complex ideas

6. No Localised Messaging for Malaysian Users

Users respond better to content that feels relevant, practical and familiar. When a website uses generic messaging, vague descriptions or examples that do not fit local habits, visitors feel disconnected. This reduces trust and makes the business appear less credible or less experienced in the industry.

Examples

• Clear pricing guidance
• Purpose of each service
• Local examples
• Straightforward language
• Trust markers like office location, certifications or reviews

Localised content improves connection and encourages visitors to stay longer.

7. Weak or Inconsistent Branding

Branding influences the first impression visitors have of your business. When colours, fonts, images or layouts feel inconsistent, the website looks unpolished and unreliable. Even if your services are strong, weak branding makes users question your professionalism and reduces confidence in reaching out.

Common Issues

• Mismatched colours
• Too many fonts
• Inconsistent photo style
• Cluttered logos or banners

How to Fix

• Choose a fixed colour palette
• Use consistent fonts
• Align images with your brand personality
• Keep the layout clean and uniform

Good branding creates an immediate positive impression.

8. Complicated Navigation That Leads Users Away

Visitors expect to find information quickly. When a website has a complicated menu, unclear labels or too many sections, users feel overwhelmed and leave before exploring your pages. Confusing navigation also affects how search engines understand your site structure, which reduces visibility.

Common Issues

• Menu items that feel cluttered
• Dropdown lists that stretch too long
• Important pages buried deep in the menu

How to Fix

• Reduce menu items
• Keep labels clear
• Place key pages in obvious positions
• Add a simple footer navigation

Clear navigation improves the overall experience and helps users trust your site faster.

9. No SEO Foundation in the Website Design

SEO works best when it is built into the website from the beginning. When SEO is only added after the site has gone live, important elements such as structure, headings, internal links and image details are often missing. This makes it harder for search engines to understand your content and limits how quickly your site can grow organically.

Common Issues

• Weak URL structure
• Missing alt text on images
• No internal linking system
• Missing schema
• Poor heading structure

How to Fix

• Organise URLs
• Write descriptive alt text
• Link related pages to strengthen authority
• Add schema for clarity
• Use clean, meaningful headings

SEO-friendly design helps your site appear for a wider range of search queries related to your industry and niche.

10. DIY Website Design Without UX Knowledge

Some people build their own websites to save cost, but DIY sites often lack proper UX planning. When pages are arranged without a clear structure, consistent spacing or an understanding of user behaviour, visitors struggle to move through the site. This usually results in confusion, low engagement and fewer enquiries, even when the business itself offers strong services. In many cases, the issue is not the effort, but the hidden limitations of DIY tools and the lack of planning involved. Understanding the real cost behind different website approaches helps businesses make better decisions early on. Our guide on how much does a website costs in Malaysia explains why DIY websites often lead to redesigns later and how proper planning can save time and money in the long run.

Common Issues

• Elements placed without purpose
• Inconsistent spacing
• Forms that are difficult to complete
• No review of user journey

A professional team can refine UX, improve user flow and help your site feel more modern. Working with an experienced website design company in Malaysia improves clarity and long-term growth.

How SMEs in Malaysia Can Fix These Website Design Mistakes

Improving your website does not always require a full rebuild. Instead, you can strengthen user experience, engagement and search visibility by making targeted adjustments to design, content and structure. Start by reviewing how your site behaves on mobile, simplifying your navigation and checking that your content is easy to scan. These small improvements create a noticeable lift in trust and usability, especially for businesses planning to work with a website design company later on.  To help you move through these fixes step by step, we’ve created a practical resource covering the key areas that influence performance: UI/UX, design, content, technical setup and SEO. You may use it to guide internal updates or brief your team more clearly. Download the Website Improvement Checklist for SMEs in 2026 (PDF) created to support businesses searching for reliable website design services This checklist gives you a clearer starting point before you plan bigger enhancements or expand your digital strategy. It also helps you identify what’s missing on your current site so your improvements become more focused and effective.

Conclusion

Good website design influences how customers feel about your business. Your audiences expect clarity, speed and an experience that feels straightforward. By avoiding these common mistakes and using best practices, you can improve conversions, engagement and long-term visibility in 2026. Professional website design services can definitely help you correct structural issues, strengthen messaging and enhance performance across all devices. You can also explore how a stronger layout and better user flow impact customer engagement in this guide: How a Robust Website Design Boosts Customer Engagement If you would like support improving your website or need advice on structuring your next update, our team can guide you through the essentials. We help SMEs in Malaysia build cleaner, faster and more user-friendly websites through modern website design services tailored for growth. Get in touch with us to review your website and plan your next steps.

FAQ

1. What are the most common website design mistakes Malaysian SMEs make?

Many SMEs struggle with mobile usability, slow loading speed, outdated layouts, unclear CTAs, messy content structure and missing SEO basics. These issues affect trust, engagement and search visibility. Improving layout, structure and speed can already create a noticeable lift.

2. How can I check if my website is mobile-friendly?

You can test your site using different phone models, Google’s Mobile-Friendly Test tool or by browsing your pages in various screen sizes. Make sure text is readable, buttons are easy to tap and sections do not shift around. 

3. How does slow loading speed affect my website?

A slow site causes users to leave quickly and reduces your performance in search results. Heavy images, weak hosting and unnecessary plugins are common reasons. Compressing images, improving hosting and cleaning up scripts helps your site load faster and improves user experience.

4. Do I need to redesign my entire website to fix these issues?

Not always. Many improvements can be done through small updates like reorganising content, refreshing visuals, improving navigation or adding clearer CTAs. A full redesign may only be needed if your structure or layout is outdated or inconsistent with current UX practices.

5. How does good website design improve SEO for Malaysian SMEs?

Strong website design supports SEO by improving speed, mobile experience, content clarity and internal linking. When users find your site easier to read and navigate, engagement increases. This sends positive signals to Google and helps your site rank better for searches related to your industry and niche.