5 Redesign Mistakes That Kill Conversion

A website redesign should improve performance, not hurt it. But I've seen too many businesses invest thousands in a beautiful redesign only to watch their conversions drop. Here are 5 common mistakes to avoid.

1. Changing Navigation Patterns

Users expect navigation to work a certain way. When you move the menu, change the labels, or hide important pages, returning visitors get confused. The rule: if it's not broken, don't "fix" it. Evolve gradually, not radically. Test navigation changes with real users before committing.

2. Removing Trust Signals

Testimonials, case studies, client logos, and social proof are essential for conversion. I've seen redesigned sites bury these elements in footers or remove them entirely. Trust signals need to be visible — especially near your call-to-action buttons. Keep them front and center, especially on your homepage and pricing pages.

"For every additional form field, you lose about 5-10% of potential conversions."

3. Overcomplicating Forms

Every extra field in your form reduces conversion. Name, email, message — that's usually enough. If you need more, use progressive profiling. Ask for additional info after they've already converted. The friction of a long form isn't worth the extra data you might collect.

4. Ignoring Mobile Users

More than half of web traffic comes from mobile. Yet many redesigns focus on desktop first. Design for mobile first. If your mobile experience is poor, you're losing more than half your potential customers. Test on real devices, not just browser simulators.

5. No Clear CTA

If users don't know what to do next, they won't do anything. Make your CTAs obvious, consistent, and compelling. Use action-oriented language. And don't make them compete with each other — one primary action per page. Your CTA should stand out visually and be placed where users naturally look.

Ready for a redesign that actually converts? Let's talk about your goals and how we can build something that performs.