Freelancers like myself often tackle projects on WordPress. But sometimes we make mistakes that can be easily prevented. I’m going to talk about ten specific mistakes I see WordPress freelancers making all of the time in my line of work.
I’ve highlighted the most common faux pas I’ve noticed over the years and given my personal thoughts on what can be done to avoid them. Are you at risk for any of these pitfalls?
| Takeaways |
|---|
| Mistakes in web design and development are common and can have serious consequences. |
| Freelance web designers and WordPress developers are particularly prone to making mistakes. |
| Some common mistakes include poor communication with clients, failing to optimize for performance, and not properly securing sites against hackers. |
| To avoid making mistakes, it’s important to stay up to date on best practices, seek feedback from colleagues or clients, and prioritize thorough testing and ongoing support. |
1. Not Having An Aim With Site Design
One of the biggest mistakes freelancers make when designing their WordPress site is not knowing what type of design they need. Just as you wouldn’t start writing a book without knowing what genre it is, nor should you start designing your website without considering its purpose.
Your client needs to work out what the purpose of their site is, and how they want it to look and feel. What do they want the site to achieve? Who is the target audience? And how should this be reflected in the design?
The key here is that your client’s website needs to have a very specific aim it’s not just there as an online presence for themselves or their business, but to fulfill some kind of goal. It could be:
- Close more sales
- Get more clients
- Give people information about something (e.g., a political cause)
- increase subscribers on an email list
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2. Using An Out Of Date Theme
Out of date. Themes can become outdated in a number of ways. They might not be compatible with the latest version of WordPress, they might use code that’s incompatible with other plugins or themes on your site, and they might be using old design conventions that clash with modern websites.
Vulnerable. As time goes by, security vulnerabilities and other bugs are discovered in themes and plugins. If you’re running out-of-date software on your site, you won’t get updated versions that fix those issues, leaving your site vulnerable to hacks and breakage.
Bloated or obsolete features. Over time, themes may include more features or functionality than you actually need for your website. These features generally make the theme bigger and more bloated than it needs to be for your particular situation, which slows down the speed of loading pages on your website as well as makes it harder to maintain the theme over time (because there’s more code to keep track of).
In addition, some existing features may no longer work properly due to changes in how WordPress works under the hood or because third-party services have changed their own APIs (like Google Maps).
Maintenance burden. When a theme is updated for compatibility with new versions of WordPress or for other reasons like fixing bugs or adding new features, this can affect any site using an older version of the theme (unless those sites are using a child theme).
This means updating a theme requires maintaining multiple different versions at once so that existing websites continue working without breaking anything after installing an update which makes things harder for both theme developers as well as people using their themes since they must pay careful attention during updates to make sure nothing gets broken during installation.* Abandoned by its developer(s).
People stop maintaining and supporting their themes for various reasons; perhaps developers change jobs and don’t have time anymore, perhaps they realize there isn’t enough money in creating custom themes to make continuing worth it financially (when compared to doing something else),
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3. Not Using Custom Fonts
Hey there, freelancer! You’re building a website that is going to represent your business. This can be a daunting task when you think about all of the things that need to happen to make it exactly how you want it: choosing the color scheme and font, adding the right images, and making sure all the information is laid out just so.
There are so many little details that go into creating an awesome site that you might feel like you’re in over your head (especially if this isn’t your area of expertise). But don’t worry we’ve been through this before. We know what mistakes people make and how they can be avoided.
Here’s one we see time and time again: freelancers settle for default fonts on their site rather than taking advantage of customization options. Don’t do it! Custom fonts are easier than ever before to install, and they’re a great way for you to stand out from competitors who might be using one of those defaults.
In addition, custom fonts give your site a unique look that makes visitors take notice especially if they’re professional or creative people themselves because they’ll recognize another creative type when they see one!
There are both free and paid options available with pros/cons in each category (though most experts recommend paying since these tend not to have ads or weird limitations).
If there aren’t any good choices in either place worth spending money on then at least consider using Google Fonts as not only will these load quickly but also give visitors access without needing any additional plugin installation or configuration by their end-user device firstly – which means less frustration for everyone involved 🙂
4. Not Having A Responsive Site
My number one tip for building your WordPress site is to make it responsive. This means that it will look great no matter what device the user is viewing it on. Mobile devices, desktops, tablets and even televisions are used to access websites.
Responsive sites are also more likely to keep users interested in your content as they switch from device to device without losing their place or having to resize the text or browse through a large amount of unnecessary scrolling.
Responsive design is also great for search engine optimization (SEO) and usability because Google has stated that they prefer sites that are mobile-friendly over non-responsive sites when showing results on their search engine’s first page.
Lastly, accessibility should be one of your primary concerns when building any site, and being responsive will help you achieve this goal by removing obstacles that might prevent individuals with disabilities from being able to access the information you want them to see.
5. Choosing Too Many Plugins
Unless you’re a seasoned coder, chances are you have installed a plugin to accomplish some functions on your site. Plugins are great; they allow even non-coders to add all sorts of functionality to their WordPress sites such as image sliders, forms, social sharing buttons, and all sorts of other stuff.
However, it is important not to go overboard with plugins. Too many plugins can slow down your site and make it harder for your users to navigate around. Also, the more plugins you have the greater security risk you face as any vulnerabilities in these plugins can be exploited by hackers. Plugins also cost money so if you don’t need all that functionality on your website then don’t install them!
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6. Making Your Site Too Wide
Many WordPress themes will let you set the width of your site. It is important that you pick a site width that fits the content on your page. Make sure your site isn’t too wide or too narrow, but just right! A good rule of thumb is that your site’s width should be between 600 and 1200 pixels. You can set this in your theme options. If you want to make some pages wider than others, that’s fine too!
If your site is too wide, it will look sparse and hard to read. This increases the time people spend reading an article before they give up and leave the site.
7. Overdoing Your Homepage
Your homepage is the first page any visitor to your site will see. A cluttered, confusing homepage will not only turn them off to your site, but it will also make them unlikely to return. So, when designing your homepage it’s important that you keep it simple and easy for users to navigate.
Here are some of the most common mistakes people make when designing their homepages:
Including too many features (like videos, opt-ins, polls, or other elements) can overwhelm visitors and cause them to become confused or leave your site entirely
Adding too much text can be distracting and deter visitors from reading other pages on your site
Incorporating several images with no captions or links will reduce engagement with the page
8. Holding Back On Possibilities Of Customization
Designing your site can be challenging, which is why many freelancers turn to WordPress. You can use the platform’s robust set of tools and pre-built templates to quickly make a professional site that fits most design needs.
By leveraging the basics of WordPress, you can get an impressive site up in no time—but don’t let that stop you from trying new things! While staying within certain parameters may seem like a good idea (especially for those without a background in coding), it’s important not to hold back when it comes to customization.
And remember: just because something hasn’t been done before doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try it. In fact, the creative possibilities are nearly endless! For example, one client might look at a video and see only what was there; another client might look at the same video and realize its potential a cornerstone of his or her brand identity.
So get out there and take some risks! Even if they don’t work out exactly as planned (which is okay!), you’ll learn more about what works for your clients, and become better at meeting their needs in the long run.
If this all seems too daunting right now, that’s okay too! Never forget that there is help available from online tutorials to friends who know what they’re doing so don’t hesitate to reach out if need be.
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9. Forgetting To Include Social Media Icons
Next to your website’s name, having social media icons is the most important branding element you can include on your site. Make sure that you offer easy access to your social media accounts, which is where people will go to get information about what you do and how often you do it. Social media is also a way for people to interact with you and other like-minded individuals in the same industry, so make sure that it’s easy and accessible on the web page.
To ensure this, including a large icon bar at the top of your webpage with links to all of your various social media accounts. That includes Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, Google+, Pinterest, LinkedIn, and more if applicable. If possible link these icons directly to pages within those sites rather than just the main page of each one (so if someone clicks on an icon they’ll be taken right to a page where they can follow or add you as a friend).
Make sure these icons are very clearly visible; don’t hide them below or behind other objects or content! Also, consider placing some smaller versions elsewhere throughout your site: in footers for example; this will provide additional opportunities for users who want quick access without needing navigation menus etcetera (i.e., those who are already familiar enough with their way around).
10. Not Adding A Newsletter Sign Up Option On Every Page
Email marketing is one of the most effective ways to keep your readers and visitors coming back to your site, whether it’s for a new blog post or an online tutorial. Email, unlike social media, is direct and personal. It goes straight into someone’s inbox and let’s face it, who doesn’t check their email every day?
A newsletter sign-up option on every page allows you to build an email list that you can market to with content curated just for them. This will help you stay on your reader’s minds and make sure they know exactly when you have new content available.
11. Neglecting Website Security
Many freelancers don’t have the same security training as professional web developers, and this is where it can get dangerous. If your site isn’t set up properly, hackers and malware can sneak in, creating havoc with your site and causing problems for visitors as well. This is why it’s so important to hire someone who understands how to create a secure website and takes the necessary steps to prevent a breach.
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12. Not Installing A Backup Plugin
This one might seem obvious, but it’s a mistake that freelancers make all the time they don’t install a backup plugin. There are so many things that can go wrong when you’re dealing with plugins or themes, and if you don’t have an automated backup system in place, you could lose your whole site.
Final Thought
WordPress is an accessible and versatile platform that many sites and businesses are choosing to power their web presence. However, as with any CMS, there are limitations and rules you must follow if you want your site to be accessible and easy-to-use for everyone, not just WordPress-savvy developers.
If you’re a web designer or developer yourself (or in charge of hiring a designer), follow this advice to avoid common mistakes made by freelancers when designing WordPress sites.
Further Reading
28 Costly Mistakes Your Freelance Web Designer is Making: This article discusses 28 common mistakes that freelance web designers make, from poor communication to technical oversights, and offers tips on how to avoid them.
Top WordPress Development Mistakes: This article highlights some of the most common mistakes made by WordPress developers, including failing to keep plugins updated and not optimizing for performance.
Common Mistakes When Creating a WordPress Site: This article provides insights into some of the most common mistakes made when creating a WordPress site, including choosing the wrong theme and not optimizing for SEO.
FAQs
What are some common mistakes that freelance web designers make?
Some common mistakes that freelance web designers make include poor communication with clients, not properly testing their work, and not providing ongoing support after the project is completed.
What are some common mistakes made by WordPress developers?
Common mistakes made by WordPress developers include not keeping plugins updated, failing to optimize for performance, and not properly securing their sites against hackers.
How can I avoid making mistakes when creating a WordPress site?
To avoid making mistakes when creating a WordPress site, be sure to choose a high-quality theme that is optimized for SEO and performance, keep plugins and the WordPress core up to date, and make security a top priority.
What are some consequences of making mistakes in web design or development?
Making mistakes in web design or development can lead to a range of consequences, including a poor user experience, security vulnerabilities, and lost revenue or customers.
How can I ensure that my web design or development work is error-free?
To ensure that your web design or development work is error-free, be sure to test thoroughly, seek feedback from colleagues or clients, and stay up to date on best practices and emerging trends in the industry.
What Is The Difference Between A WordPress Theme And A WordPress Plugin?
A WordPress theme is the overall layout and appearance of your website, including things like font choice, color scheme, and the general look of your pages.
A WordPress plugin is a bit of code that adds extra functionality to your websites, like a contact form or a way to add videos to your site.
Where Should I Look For A Freelancer?
If you want to hire someone to design your WordPress site, you’ll need to find a freelancer. You can find freelancers on websites dedicated to freelance professionals, or on websites like Freelancer.com or Upwork that are built around the idea of facilitating freelance work.
How Do I Know If I’m Getting A Good Deal?
The best way to ensure that you’re getting a good deal is to make sure that the project is well-defined. Be as specific as possible when describing what you want and how much you’re willing to pay for it. The more concrete the terms of the project, the better prepared both you and the freelancer will be when it comes time for payment.
What Should I Do If My Designer Doesn’t Deliver What I Want?
If your designer isn’t delivering what you want, it may be time for another conversation about what exactly needs to be done and how much time they have left in which to do it. If everything is outlined in writing from the start, there shouldn’t be any confusion about what’s expected of them at any given point during the project.
Costantine Edward is a digital marketing expert, freelance writer, and entrepreneur who helps people attain financial freedom. I’ve been working in marketing since I was 18 years old and have managed to build a successful career doing what I love.