User Experience

What Not to do When Creating a new Website

8 Mins

So you want to build a new website. We have a list we call “what not to do when creating a new website” that might help.

Don’t ignore mobile responsiveness

With a large portion of internet users accessing websites on mobile devices, it’s crucial to have a website that looks and functions well on various screen sizes. Neglecting mobile responsiveness can lead to a poor user experience and lower search engine rankings.

Don’t overload with content

Avoid overwhelming visitors with too much content, especially on the homepage. Cluttered pages make it difficult for users to find what they’re looking for and can increase the website’s load time.

Simplify navigation

Keep your website’s navigation simple and intuitive. Complicated menus or confusing links can frustrate users and make it challenging for them to find what they need.

Focus on page speed

Slow-loading websites deter visitors and can negatively impact your search engine rankings. Optimize images, use caching, and choose a reliable hosting provider to improve your website’s speed.

Pay close attention to SEO best practices

If you want your website to be discovered by search engines, pay attention to search engine optimization (SEO). Neglecting SEO can hinder your website’s visibility and organic traffic.

Accessibility is critical.

Ensure your website is accessible to all users, including those with disabilities. Use alt tags for images, provide proper contrast for text, and follow accessibility guidelines.

Using too many pop-ups

Pop-ups can be intrusive and disrupt the user experience. If you must use them, do so sparingly and make it easy for users to close them.

Neglecting security: Protect your website and its users by implementing proper security measures. Use HTTPS, keep your software up to date, and regularly back up your data.

Not testing across different browsers: Your website may look and function differently on various browsers. Test your website on popular browsers to ensure consistent performance.

Ignoring analytics: Install website analytics to track user behavior, popular content, and conversion rates. Analyzing this data will help you make informed decisions to improve your website.

LESS is ALWAYS More.

The Silesky Marketing mantra– less is ALWAYS more. Keep your design cohesive and professional by using a limited number of fonts and a consistent color scheme.

Easy Contact System

Make it easy for visitors to get in touch with you. Display clear contact information or a contact form prominently on your website.

Test before you launch!

Always thoroughly test your website before launching. Check for broken links, spelling errors, and any functionality issues.

By avoiding these common mistakes, you’ll be on your way to creating a more effective and user-friendly website.

Need more help? We’re here to help.

Aizaz Ul Hassan

Sr. Graphic Designer & Web Developer

Aizaz has been the driving force behind Silesky’s web development for over 5 years. As both a graphic designer and UI/UX developer, he brings a rare mix of technical precision and creative clarity to every project. What sets Aizaz apart is his ability to understand and interpret the assignment—no extra hand-holding, just sharp instincts and calm professionalism. When timelines are tight and expectations are high, Aizaz is the teammate you want in your corner.

Creative and detail-oriented, Aizaz builds clean, modern websites that marry style with substance. From intuitive flows to scalable layouts, his work consistently delivers digital experiences that perform as well as they look. With every project, Aizaz ensures the design feels effortless for users and does the heavy lifting for the brand.

Off the clock: It's an ongoing mystery.

John Sindorf

Director of Strategic Alliances

John believes most businesses don’t need more vendors, they need the right strategic partners.

With decades of experience helping small and mid-sized organizations grow, John specializes in connecting business leaders with the expertise they need to overcome challenges, strengthen operations, and scale with confidence. Whether the conversation centers on sales strategy, marketing, AI, or operational efficiency, his focus is always the same: identifying the right solution for the business, not simply adding another service provider.

Known for his relationship-first approach, John builds partnerships rooted in trust, practical guidance, and measurable outcomes. He helps business owners simplify complex decisions, align the right resources, and spend less time managing vendors and more time leading the businesses they’ve worked so hard to build

Off the clock: You’ll likely find John networking over coffee, strengthening relationships, and proving that the best business opportunities still begin with genuine conversations.

Kiki DeVane

Marketing Operations Manager

From Capitol Hill to the Content Calendar. The Filibuster Didn't Make the Cut.

Kiki started her career trying to change the world through legislation. She pivoted to marketing after realizing a well-built website could do it faster. What followed was a stretch across event marketing, federal communications, and sponsored content for some of the world's most recognizable brands, enough range to make her what the industry calls a utility player, which mostly means she can do the thing no one else wants to do and make it look intentional.

At Silesky Marketing, her job is to make sure the right work gets to the right person at the right time. When something tries to fall through the cracks, she's already caught it.

Off the clock: Somewhere between a passport stamp and a paintbrush.

Meital Abraham

Market Expansion & Social Media Strategist

Compulsive Jazz Hands

Meital studied fine art, advertising, and philosophy before adding stand-up comedy to the mix, which is either a very strange combination or the exact right training for social media strategy. Comedy teaches you to read a room, adapt to shifting audience energy, and deliver a punchline precisely when it matters. Misread a crowd on stage, and you get silence. Misread it in an algorithm, and it shows in the metrics. Her first corporate accounts were a cemetery, a law firm, and an IT company. She figured them all out.

Off the clock: Currently finding new ways to bedazzle herself and dazzle the audience.

Mya Stengel

Content Developer

Organizing Her Bookshelf = Organizing Her Life

Mya spent years working on her written prose only to pivot into writing for film in Hollywood. She went as far as to work in the film development department at Blumhouse before transitioning to content marketing. What she brought from the development room is the Hollywood standard. Never negotiate. Every draft has a skeleton before it gets a voice. To Mya, every client is a new protagonist to study. Her job is to entirely disappear into a brand's architecture, making the final copy sound authentically like them.

Off the clock: She's in the movie theatre, patiently waiting for Nicole Kidman to remind her that heartbreak feels good in a place like this.

Ashelin Walker

Digital Growth Strategist

The Human Embodiment of a Zen Garden

Before Ashelin was in Google Analytics, she was managing a fast-paced cafe. When the POS system crashed 20 minutes before doors opened, she rebooted it, rerouted the payment terminal, and had the register running before the first customer arrived. That same instinct drives every digital campaign she manages at Silesky Marketing today. She tracks algorithmic shifts, adjusts budgets in real time, and ensures clients see the concrete numbers behind every strategic decision.

Off the clock: She’s likely baking… What? it is a mystery she refuses to solve for us.

Susi Silesky

Founder & Brand Architect

Thinks in two languages. Solves problems in one.

Susi has spent more than 30 years helping clients see what's possible, and clearing the path to get there. She founded Silesky Marketing in 1996 after her early career in Paris, where she worked as the American liaison at S3C Groupe de Communication Souham, working on large-scale marketing campaigns for Sara Lee, Gillette, and Tiffany and Co.

Helping American brands navigate language and cultural differences taught her something that's shaped every engagement since: businesses often struggle to see themselves the way customers do. When she's not in client strategy, she's watching French films, which after thirty years of brand voice reviews pulls her out of English completely.

Off the clock: Scouting for strangers…or as she calls them, her new best friends.