Creating an attractive, user-friendly website on a tight budget can be challenging. When trying to save money, it's easy to make some critical design errors that make your site look unprofessional.
Avoid these common pitfalls when working with a cheap web designer or designing your site yourself:
1. Bad stock photos
It's tempting to use free stock photos to save money. But blurry, generic, irrelevant images will make your site seem dated and amateurish. Either hire a cheap web designer who can take quality photos for you, or invest in a few inexpensive customized images.
2. Cluttered layout
Cramming too much content on each page looks messy and overwhelms visitors. A cheap web designer can create a clean layout that strategically uses white space and divides information into digestible sections.
3. Difficult navigation
If site navigation is confusing, users will quickly leave your site. A clear, consistent nav menu should be present on all main pages. Ask your cheap web designer to optimize this during the planning stages.
4. Overly generic content
Avoid boilerplate web copy that feels stale and doesn't relate to your business. While custom content can be pricey, a skilled budget web designer can breathe life into mundane product descriptions and "About Us" pages.
5. Boring typography
Font choice has a huge impact on site aesthetics and readability on a budget. Avoid type crimes like Comic Sans. A cheap web designer will know how to use free fonts like Google Fonts to make the right visual statement.
6. Mobile optimization
Many cheap web designers only focus on desktop sites to cut costs. But with more mobile usage, an unoptimized site damages engagement. Prioritize a mobile-friendly responsive site.
7. Lack of visual hierarchy
All elements should not be treated equally. Guide users' eyes to key action items through strategic visual contrast and placement. A skilled cheap web designer understands how to direct focus.
Creating an attractive, functional website on a tight budget is possible. Just beware of these common pitfalls. A knowledgeable cheap web designer can help you avoid them.