If you design websites, you probably know this feeling:
You create a great layout, refine the typography, fine-tune the UX… and then you hear from the implementer:
“It can’t be done like in the project.”
Or worse:
“It looks like someone else did it.”
We know because we have been implementing projects for agencies, designers and creative studios for over 10 years. And we saw everything – from perfectly prepared mockups to those that had no chance of working well without thorough corrections.
That’s why we’ve prepared a list of the most common mistakes in website designs – along with practical solutions that will help you avoid problems and significantly speed up your cooperation with programmers.
Let’s get started.
The most common mistake in website designs: no mobile version
This is the most common problem that increases implementation time.
What does the error look like?
- the project includes only the desktop version,
- the mobile version is a sketch, not a full project,
- no decisions: what to hide, what to shorten, how to arrange content on a small screen,
- typography and spacing are not adapted to phones.
Why is it important?
The programmer has to guess what the mobile should look like. Every decision “designed on the backend” causes differences from the designer’s vision.
The mobile version is a second full-fledged project – not an addition to the desktop.
How do we fix it?
we establish complete guidelines for the mobile version before implementation begins,
please design a full mobile layout - not a sketch,
if necessary, we offer safe solutions and alternatives to small screens.
Do you design websites, but you lack implementation and code specialists?
Website design and real content - why can content destroy the layout?
This problem only surfaces once the implementation begins.
What's going on?
- headers are longer than in the project and are starting to break,
- section descriptions diverge the layout,
- product/service names do not fit into the designed blocks,
- elements "look nice with short texts" but not with real data.
Why is this a problem?
Because a website with real content looks different than a “dry” website.
How do we fix it?
please provide preliminary content, preferably ready-made texts, before we start the project,
we introduce variants of layouts (short / medium / long content),
we design components that do not fall apart when text changes.
Hundreds behind us
completed pages
Errors in the page structure. How to organize content hierarchy?
It’s not about storytelling – it’s about simple logic.
What does the error look like?
- sections do not follow from each other,
- important elements (e.g. CTA) are in places where the user cannot see them,
- secondary things are at the top and key content is at the bottom,
- the page does not have a clear "section priority".
Why is this a problem?
The user doesn’t know what is most important.
And the programmer doesn’t know what should be most emphasized in the code.
How do we fix it?
we organize sections according to business purpose,
we arrange the order: first "what is it", then "why is it important", and finally "what next",
we arrange the order: first "what is it", then "why is it important", and finally "what next",
Micro-narrative
a short, coherent story told by subsequent sections on the website. This is not storytelling in the strict sense. This is a conscious arrangement of sections so that:
- the user knew where he was going,
- each section was a natural "next step",
- all answered questions in a logical order.
Hover and mobile elements - an error that ruins the implementation
This mistake appears even in the projects of experienced designers – because it is easy to forget about it.
Mobile has no mouse or cursor. So all the “hover” effects, if they don’t have a mobile equivalent… just don’t work.
Examples:
- drop down menu only on hover,
- photos changing to hover in gallery.
- portfolio tiles revealing content only on hover,
- tooltips that only appear on hover,
How do we fix it?
we change the mechanics to "click to expand",
we add information icons that can be touched,
we transfer hover information to visible interface elements.
Why is it important?
Because on mobile the user is left without information:
“Oh, that was clickable? I didn’t know.”
Hover and mobile elements - an error that ruins the implementation
This is an error that is not always visible at first glance – but it strongly affects implementation.
The design is artistically coherent but technically incoherent:
- each button looks a little different,
- margins change every few pixels,
- headings have different spacing,
- minimal typography structure is missing.
The programmer must standardize all this, and this = time + risk of turnouts.
Component library – what is it?
This is a set of elements that make up a website: buttons, form fields, product cards, section headers and footers. Each element has its own logic, UI states and style.
Thanks to this, the website is consistent and the implementation is faster.
How do we fix it?
we create a base set of components,
we standardize
spacing,
we optimize elements for repeatability and implementation.
UI bugs - missing button states and interactions
This is an error that can extend the implementation by weeks.
UI (User Interface) states are different versions of what the same element looks like, depending on what the user is doing.
Example: button
Normal
visible on the page when idle,
Hover
when you hover,
Active
when you click
Disabled
when the button is disabled,
Loading
when I’m loading something,
Success
after correct action,
Error
when something went wrong.
Why is it important?
The lack of designed states causes:
- inconsistency of actions,
- differences between design and implementation,
- any interpretation on the developer's part.
How do we fix it?
we design all component states,
we match them to the brand's style,
We consult with the designer where additional variants are needed.
Deliver ready-made websites to your customers without stress.
We take care of the technical implementation.
Optimizing graphics in website designs - the most common mistakes
The design looks great, but the page loads slowly – and the user closes the tab.
What most often causes the problem?
- photos in huge sizes,
- graphics exported without compression,
- PNG where WebP could be,
- excess animation,
- no lazy-loading for galleries.
How do we fix it?
we optimize graphics,
we introduce WebP/AVIF formats,
We only load images when the user needs them.
A project with no room for SEO
SEO doesn’t start with content – it starts with design.
Common errors
- no space for texts (e.g. service descriptions),
- no H2/H3 headers,
- sections without logical structure,
- no space for internal links,
- the design focuses solely on the visual.
How do we fix it?
we suggest where the content should be placed,
we adjust the layout for SEO (headings, descriptions, structure),
we make sure that the design allows the website to grow in Google.
How to design so that the implementation is quick, stress-free and consistent with the mock-up?
A few rules that work well:
Prepare full mobile version.
Remember about real content.
Add form logic.
Make room for SEO and integrations.
Determine which elements are "must have" and which are "nice to have".
Finally: you don't have to do everything yourself
If you design websites but you are missing:
- programmer,
- team for permanent cooperation,
- someone who will see the project through to completion,
- integration, analytics and optimization partner,
- support for end customers,
— we can help.
We cooperate with designers and agencies throughout Poland and implement pixel-perfect projects, just as they were designed.
Do you want to talk about
cooperation?
Get in touch and let’s see how we can help you!
Join the ranks of our satisfied customers.
