Why Good Design Matters More Than Ever

Your website is your business’s digital shopfront — often the first impression a potential customer has of your brand.

In a competitive local market like Chester, where customers research online before choosing a product or service, even small design mistakes can drive visitors away.

At Brush & Bold, we help local businesses build strategic, conversion-focused websites that not only look professional but also work.

Here are the 10 most common web design mistakes we see Chester businesses make — and how you can avoid them.

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1. Poor Mobile Responsiveness

More than 70% of website traffic in Chester now comes from mobile devices.

If your website isn’t optimized for smaller screens, visitors will quickly bounce.

Avoid it:

Choose a responsive design platform (like Showit) and always test your site on mobile before launch. At Brush & Bold, every layout is designed mobile-first so your website looks perfect on every device.

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2. Slow Loading Speeds

A slow website kills conversions.

If your homepage takes longer than 3 seconds to load, most users will leave — especially on mobile.

Avoid it:

Compress images, remove unnecessary plugins, and use optimized hosting. We ensure every Brush & Bold website scores high on Google PageSpeed for fast, smooth performance.

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3. Unclear Navigation

Visitors shouldn’t have to think about where to click.

Cluttered menus or hidden links confuse users and reduce engagement.

Avoid it:

Keep navigation simple with 4–6 main menu items. Use clear CTAs like Book Now or Get a Quote.

We design intuitive user flows that guide visitors from curiosity → conversion.

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4. Weak or Missing Calls-to-Action (CTAs)

Your website should lead visitors toward an action — booking a call, purchasing, or sending an enquiry. Without clear CTAs, you lose valuable leads.

Avoid it:

Add strong, action-based buttons throughout your site.

Example:

✅ “Book a Free Consultation”

✅ “See Our Work”

✅ “Get Your Quote Today”

We strategically place CTAs on every page to capture interest and convert traffic.

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5. Outdated Design Trends

A website designed five years ago might still function, but visually it could be sending the wrong message.

Old-fashioned fonts, clashing colours, and non-responsive layouts make your brand appear behind the times.

Avoid it:

Modern design doesn’t mean complicated — it means clean, consistent, and easy to navigate.

Brush & Bold creates timeless designs tailored to your brand identity, ensuring longevity and relevance.

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6. Not Optimizing for Local SEO

Even with a stunning design, you won’t gain visibility without local SEO.

If your Chester business doesn’t appear in Google results for relevant keywords, you’re missing out on local customers.

Avoid it:

• Add your city (Chester, Cheshire) to page titles and headings
• Create a Google Business Profile and link it to your site
• Include location-based keywords naturally throughout your copy

Every Brush & Bold project includes on-page SEO to help you rank locally from day one.

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7. Poor Quality Images and Content

Blurry photos, inconsistent fonts, and walls of text make users lose trust.

Your website visuals should reflect the quality of your business.

Avoid it:

Use professional photography or AI-enhanced imagery. Keep copy conversational and easy to skim with short paragraphs and clear headings.

We help clients refine both visuals and words to create a polished, trustworthy look.

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8. No Clear Brand Identity

Many websites feel disjointed — different fonts, mismatched colours, and inconsistent tone. This confuses visitors and weakens brand recognition.

Avoid it:

Stick to a defined brand palette, one or two fonts, and a clear tone of voice.

At Brush & Bold, we start every project with a mini-brand alignment to ensure design and messaging match perfectly.

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9. Ignoring Accessibility Standards

Accessibility isn’t just a legal box to tick — it’s a sign of professionalism.

Your site should be usable for everyone, including people with visual or mobility impairments.

Avoid it:

• Use high-contrast colour schemes
• Add alt text to all images
• Ensure links and buttons are clear and descriptive

We design all sites with accessibility best practices in mind.

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10. Skipping Legal & Trust Pages

Missing privacy policies, cookie banners, or terms of service can undermine credibility (and even cause compliance issues).

Avoid it:

Include essential trust-building pages:

• Privacy Policy
• Terms & Conditions
• Cookie Policy
• Contact Page with physical location (if applicable)

We include these core legal pages in every website build.

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How Brush & Bold Helps Chester Businesses Get It Right

We don’t just design pretty websites — we design strategic, SEO-optimized, and conversion-driven ones.

Our process ensures:

• Fast, mobile-friendly layouts
• Clear messaging and calls-to-action
• SEO built in from day one
• Consistent branding and accessibility

If your current site feels dated or underperforming, we can help you turn it into your best marketing tool.

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Ready to Fix Your Website Mistakes?

Let’s transform your website into a powerful, professional platform that truly represents your business.

👉 Book your free consultation via our Client Portal

or explore our web design packages at www.brushandbold.co.uk.

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Quick Recap

• Poor design can cost you local customers
• Common issues include slow speeds, bad navigation, and weak SEO
• A professional website builds trust and drives enquiries
• Brush & Bold helps Chester businesses avoid all ten mistakes

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