Aram Andreasyan
February 13, 2025

10 Common Design Mistakes That Hurt Your Conversions | Small design mistakes can cost big conversions

Some design mistakes are obvious, but others are easy to overlook. Being an expert in the industry, I’ve seen how even the smallest details can make or break conversions. Let’s go through some of the most common mistakes I see and how to fix them.

1. Too Much Alignment Creates Invisible Lines

When elements like text and buttons line up too perfectly, your brain creates an invisible grid. The problem? Anything outside this grid is ignored. Make sure your layout looks natural and guides the user’s attention where you want it.

2. No Clear Text Size Difference

If all your text looks the same, it’s hard to know what’s important. Make headings at least twice as big as body text. This helps people read and scan your content easily.

3. Hiding Social Proof

People trust other people. Testimonials and reviews should be easy to find, especially near important decisions like pricing or sign-up buttons. Don’t hide them at the bottom of the page.

4. CTA Buttons Only at the Top or Bottom

Some visitors decide quickly, while others take their time. If your call-to-action button is only at the top or bottom, you might lose both types of users. Place buttons where they feel natural, like after key information.

5. Making Non-Clickable Elements Look Like Buttons

If something looks like a button but doesn’t work, users get frustrated. Make sure only real buttons have a button-style design.

6. Guessing Instead of Using Heatmaps

Heatmaps show where users click and scroll. Without them, you’re making guesses about what works. Heatmaps can help you see if people are missing your CTA or struggling to find key information.

7. Not Highlighting the Best Plan on Mobile

On desktop, the best-value pricing plan is often highlighted. But on mobile, many websites don’t do this. Make sure your most important plan is easy to see on all devices.

8. Misaligned Features in Pricing Tables

Pricing tables help users compare options. If features don’t line up properly, it’s confusing. A clear, well-aligned table helps users make decisions faster.

9. Poor Color Contrast

If your text is too light or blends into the background, people won’t read it. Make sure text stands out clearly against its background so it’s easy to read.

10. Ignoring Dark Mode Users

Many people use dark mode. If your design isn’t optimized for it, text might be hard to read, and colors might look strange. Always test your design in dark mode.

Why It All Matters

So, coming to the conclusion, I have to say — good design isn’t just about making things look nice. It’s about how it feels to use. The best websites don’t make people think too hard; they just work. Every little mistake — whether it’s a button in the wrong place or text that’s hard to read — can push people away without you even realizing it. When a site is easy, clear, and smooth to navigate, people stay, engage, and convert. And that’s what really matters.

Aram Andreasyan,

Industry Leader, Design Expert