5 Mistakes Business Owners Make When Building Their Website (And How to Avoid Them)
Building a website for your fashion, lifestyle, or luxury retail business is exciting. It’s your brand’s digital home, the space where your customers can fall in love with what you do. But let's be honest – building a website can feel like a maze of decisions, sometimes as bad as the end of The Goblet of Fire, IYKYK. And while you’re focused on showcasing your gorgeous products, it’s easy to stumble into a few common pitfalls.
Here are the top 5 mistakes we see business owners make when designing their websites – and how to avoid them:
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Choosing the Wrong Platform
So, you’ve got your dream website in mind – but which platform will make that dream a reality? With options like Wordpress, WooCommerce, Showit, Webflow, Etsy, Shopify and Squarespace, it’s tempting to pick the first one that looks good, but not all platforms are created equal. Each has its strengths, so it’s crucial to choose based on your specific business needs. You don’t want to find out too late that the platform doesn’t have the functionality or flexibility you need!
Pro Tip: If you’re focused on selling products, Shopify’s your best friend. If your priority is content creation or a portfolio site, Squarespace might be more your speed.
Not Planning Your Imagery Before the Photoshoot
You’ve got the photographer, the models, the outfits… but have you thought about how those photos will be used on your website? Not shooting in landscape mode or without a plan for how those images will fit into your design can leave you with visuals that just don’t work across the board.
Avoid the headache: Before your photoshoot, sit down with your designer (or us 😉) and plan how you’ll use the images. Think banners, product shots, and lifestyle images that fit seamlessly into your design. Coach your photographer to shoot landscape and also for still life, shoot some ‘plates’ of the background with no product in place (you’ll be surprised how useful these come in!).
Not Thinking Like Your Customer (Especially User Journey)
You know your business inside out – but do you know how your customers move through your website? One of the biggest mistakes is designing for you instead of them. If your website’s navigation is more confusing than a London roundabout, or if it’s not obvious where to click next, customers will bounce faster than you can say “abandoned cart”.
Pro Tip: Map out the ideal customer journey and test your site with someone who’s never seen it before. Make sure it’s simple, intuitive, and drives people towards that all-important purchase.
Not Setting Clear Goals for Each Page
Every page on your site should have a purpose. Whether it’s getting people to sign up to your mailing list, browse your products, or read your blog, each page should have a clear goal. Too many business owners slap content onto pages without thinking about what they want visitors to do.
Avoid this trap: Sit down before you start designing and outline a goal for every page. What action do you want your customer to take? Make that the focus.
Not Setting Clear Goals for Each Page
We get it – legal jargon isn’t glamorous. But if you’re collecting customer data (like emails for newsletters or payments for products), there are some legal essentials your site must have. GDPR compliance, privacy policies, cookie notices – they’re not fun, but they’re necessary.
Don’t forget: Add these pages early on and make sure they’re easily accessible. It’s not the most exciting part of website design, but it’s one of the most important.
Need a Hand with Your Website?
Building a website can be overwhelming - we hear it all the time on our discovery calls. But it doesn’t have to be. Whether you’re rebranding, launching something new, or just need some expert advice, we’re here to help. From Shopify and Squarespace design to creating a site that truly reflects your brand, let’s make your website work for you.
Ready to chat? Drop us a message and let’s turn your digital vision into reality. ✨
