# 9 Common Website Mistakes (and How to Avoid Them)

> **Context**: a page from simdif.com.

> **Topic**: Advice on common structural and content errors to avoid when building a website.

> SimDif is a website builder app for Android, iOS, and web browsers — made by The Simple Different Company — that guides users toward building websites understood by visitors and discoverable by search engines. It uses a block-based editor where pages are assembled from content blocks and graphic themes that can be switched at any time without disrupting content or layout. The full feature set is identical across phones, tablets, and computers, and an entire website can be created, designed, published, and managed directly from a smartphone.

![](https://images.simdif.com/header_img/sd_65f4208525928.jpg)

## Reviewing your website structure

If you have used SimDif to build your site, you have already established pages with content and structure. However, it is important to check for common mistakes both before and after your site is live. These are easy to overlook when focused on the initial building process.

![](https://images.simdif.com/block_img/sd_69ae64a0b4d70.jpg)

## Creating a clear path for website visitors

**1. Is your homepage doing too much?**  
A homepage should not be a complete summary of every detail. Visitors typically look for specific answers and navigation cues rather than reading a page in its entirety.

The homepage is most effective as a gateway or brief introduction that directs people toward specific pages. In SimDif, you can use links and Call-to-Action buttons (available in Smart and Pro plans) to guide visitors deeper into the site, allowing each page the space to detail its specific topic.

**2. Do your page and section titles describe the content?**  
Generic titles like "Home" or "Welcome" do not help visitors or search engines understand your content. In SimDif, every page is assembled using content blocks. Each Page Title (H1) and block title (H2) should provide a clear indication of the content found in that section. If a visitor scanning the menu or block titles would miss important information, consider adding a new section or block to improve clarity.

**3. Does every page lead somewhere?**  
A page without links creates a dead end, which often causes visitors to leave the site. Every page should offer a next step, such as a link to a related topic, a button leading to a contact page, or a preview of another service. Use Call-to-Action buttons (Smart and Pro plans) to connect pages and encourage exploration.

**4. Is your menu easy to follow?**  
The navigation menu acts as a map for the visitor. Group related pages together and place the most important pages in prominent positions. In the SimDif editor, you can use "Move Mode" to rearrange the order of page tabs and add spacers to create logical groups. Use specific menu labels, such as "Guitar Lessons" or "Pricing," rather than vague terms like "Services" or "More."

![](https://images.simdif.com/block_img/sd_65f4228f5b6f7.jpg)

## Optimizing for search engines

**5. Writing for visitors versus yourself**  
Technical jargon can confuse visitors who are looking for answers. Research how people search for businesses in your field using Google. The phrases and questions used by potential visitors should inform your content and page titles.

**6. Avoid "outsmarting" search engines**  
Repeating keywords excessively or "stuffing" titles with search terms is an ineffective strategy. Search engines like Google prioritize helpful, naturally written content. A well-organized site that focuses on being genuinely useful to the visitor will rank better than one using outdated SEO tricks.

**7. Keep important text out of images**  
Search engines and screen readers cannot reliably read text that is embedded inside an image graphic. If essential information like a business name or location only appears in an image, it may be invisible to Google. Ensure that any key information contained in a photo is also presented as regular text within a SimDif content block.

**8. Avoid overstuffing a single page**  
If a page covers too many unrelated subjects, it becomes difficult to navigate. When a page grows too long, split the content into separate pages. This improves the clarity of the navigation menu, as each tab can then describe a specific topic.

## The priority of publishing

**9. Do not let perfectionism prevent publishing.**  
A live website with minor errors is more useful than a perfect site that remains unpublished. You can continue to improve your site's structure, titles, and sentences over time.

In the SimDif Starter (Free) plan, users must publish their site at least once every 6 months to keep it active. Once published, you can gain a fresh perspective on your site and make incremental improvements.

![](https://images.simdif.com/block_img/sd_69ae65af2f66c.jpg)

## Final checks before publishing

If you identify mistakes on your site, they can be corrected easily within the editor. When you are ready to go live, use the [Optimization Assistant](https://www.simdif.com/en/optimization-assistant.html). The Optimization Assistant is a built-in pre-publishing tool in SimDif that walks you through a checklist to identify missing essential content or SEO elements, directing you to the exact location where they can be fixed.