How to Fix 12 Common Landing Page Design Fails (Based on 30 Subreddit Submissions)
A recent analysis of landing pages shared in a popular subreddit reveals recurring design mistakes that hurt conversions. Below is a distilled guide highlighting the most common issues and practical tips to address them. For a deeper dive, a full write-up is available at Design for Founders.
1) Boring call-to-action buttons
Buttons frequently appear as flat rectangles with text. Make them visually compelling and clearly clickable by adding a subtle 3D effect and a contrasting color.
2) Logo-Website disconnect
If the logo doesn’t relate to the page, it undermines branding. Consider omitting the logo in early stages or collaborate with a designer to create style tiles that guide consistent page-building.
3) Inconsistency
Maintain uniform elements and visual style across the page to create a cohesive experience.
4) Too many fonts
Limit typography to one or two fonts to keep the design clean and readable.
5) Random color choices
Colors should feel intentional and aligned with branding. Use the exact shade from your logo to ensure consistency.
6) Spacing issues
Proper whitespace is critical. If possible, consult a professional designer; otherwise, prioritize generous whitespace to improve readability and layout.
7) Cheesy stock photography
Stock images can undermine trust. Show real people with your product wherever possible to boost conversions.
8) Default Photoshop effects
Overused effects can look amateurish. Favor clean, web-appropriate treatments instead.
9) Mixing icons from various sources
A scattered icon set creates a fragmented look. Use a cohesive, large icon library to maintain stylistic harmony.
10) Readability problems
Keep copy concise, use bullet points, and apply a line height of around 1.6 or higher. These adjustments dramatically improve legibility and perceived quality.
11) Navigation and links
Avoid unnecessary external links and minimize internal navigation that diverts attention away from the conversion goal. Focus the page on the end action.
12) Lack of visual hierarchy
Structure content with clear headlines, bullet points, and imagery to guide the viewer’s eye to the most important elements.
Want more actionable insights? Explore the full analysis linked above for a deeper examination of these recurring design pitfalls and how to address them on your own landing pages.
