When people ask what I do as a web design consultant, I usually say: “I look at websites that are almost there, spot what feels off, and tell you how to fix it.”
Sometimes it’s a new website, sometimes it’s a redesign, sometimes it’s a dev team that’s nailed the build but needs design polish before launch. Either way, my job isn’t to reinvent the wheel, but to catch the details that separate “good effort” from “professional, client-ready design.”
Curious about what often lets web designs down? Here are the most common things I end up pointing out the most in web consulting reviews, and what I usually recommend to make them right.
#1 Spacing That’s All Over the Place
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I can’t tell you how often I open a page and see one section with huge gaps and the next with everything squished together. It makes the whole site feel jittery. Visitors might not know it’s a spacing problem, but they’ll feel it.
What I usually recommend: Set a spacing system and stick with it. Doesn’t matter if it’s 4-point, 8-point, or whatever – just make it consistent. Once spacing is predictable, the entire page instantly feels calmer, more polished, and much easier on the eyes.
#2 Headings That All Shout at Once
Headings are supposed to guide people, but instead, I see two extremes: either every line of text is styled like a headline (so nothing actually stands out), or there are a dozen different font sizes and weights fighting each other. Both leave users confused and wondering what to read first.
My fix: Stick to 4–5 type styles max (headline, subhead, body, small, maybe an accent) for your typography system. Then double-check that the actual words make sense to your target audience.
#3 Alignment That Drifts Off
Ever notice when buttons, cards, and text don’t actually line up? Visitors notice, too, even if they can’t name it. It just looks (and feels) sloppy.
What I often recommend: Pick one content width, stick to it, and keep everything snapping to that same edge. Once things line up, your layout looks more intentional and your development team has fewer messes to sort out.
#4 Buttons That Don’t Look Clickable
You’d be surprised how often I see buttons that don’t actually look like buttons. Ghost buttons (transparent ones with just an outline) aren’t strong enough to drive action.
On other sites, there are 10 different button styles floating around, which just confuses people. And don’t get me started on buttons that are so tiny you’d need a toothpick to tap them on mobile.
My fix: Define one primary button style and reserve your bold color for it. Make it big enough to hit comfortably on mobile. Keep secondary button styles muted. It sounds simple, but it does a great job at clearing up user paths and helps conversions more than most people think.
#5 Color Palettes That Feel Random
One section has teal accents, the next is orange, then a random shade of purple sneaks in. It’s distracting, confusing and leaves users wondering what your brand is about
What I recommend: Lock your palette into three areas: primary, secondary, and neutrals. Then check contrast so everything is readable. This makes the company look professional and builds trust. Plus, you don’t end up with a site that feels like a pack of Skittles. Learn more about my exact color palette formula by clicking here.
#6 Components That Look Like Strangers
One card has rounded corners, another has sharp edges. Drop shadows show up randomly. Buttons change size for no reason.
My advice: Make them feel like a family. Same corners, same shadows, same spacing. Make things as cohesive as you can so users feel grounded (not distracted).
#7 Stock Photos That Feel Too Generic
If the photos don’t match, are cropped differently, or look staged, the whole design suffers.
What I suggest: Pick 2–3 aspect ratios and stick to them. Crop consistently, avoid busy images behind text, and make sure your photos actually reflect your brand and the vibe of your business. Even small tweaks here make a site look 10x more trustworthy.
#8 Hero Sections That Look Good But Say Nothing
Big picture, artsy headline, vague button. Nice to look at…but no idea what the business actually does.
I tell clients: In your hero, spell it all out – what you do, who it’s for, and why the person reading it should care. Then give people one clear action. That’s it. Simple, direct, and a lot more effective than “Welcome to our site.”
#9 Forms That Nobody Wants to Fill Out
I’ve seen forms with 15 required fields, labels hidden inside the inputs, and error messages that read like programming notes. Nobody fills those out.
My fix: Strip forms down to the essentials, put labels above fields, and explain errors clearly. Add trust cues near the “Submit” button. And don’t forget to actually test the form – half the time they don’t even send.
#10 Designs That Don’t Adapt on Phones
So many designs look fine on desktop but fall apart on mobile. Everything gets centered, text stacks awkwardly, and buttons float around like they’re lost.
What I advise: Design for mobile on purpose – upfront (not as an afterthought). Reorder sections so the story still makes sense, keep buttons easy to tap, and give text breathing room.
#11 Features That Exclude People
Accessibility is one of those things that gets pushed to the bottom of the list, but it shouldn’t.
I still see tiny gray text you can barely read, buttons that blend right into the background, and images with no alt text at all.
For someone using a screen reader, or even just someone browsing on their phone outdoors in bright light, that stuff makes your site harder (or impossible) to use.
What I recommend: Run quick accessibility checks early in the project. Add alt text, bump contrast, and check heading structure. These help you create a site everyone can use, and they support better qualified traffic from search.
#12 CTAs That Don’t Stand Out
Sometimes your main CTA is the same color as a background element, or it’s shoved to the bottom of a section where nobody sees it. If people can’t find the next step, they won’t take it.
My advice: Treat CTAs like road signs. Make them stand out with contrast, size, and placement, and keep the copy direct. Instead of “Learn More,” try “Get Pricing” or “Start Your Trial.”
#13 Designs That Feel Heavy in the Wrong Places
Some pages shove everything at you at once: giant headlines, busy images, bold CTAs all screaming for attention. Other times, everything feels too light and nothing anchors the design.
What I usually say: It’s all about balance. Emphasize one or two things per page, keep supporting text lighter, and let white space do its job. This helps guide the eye, keeps the message clear, and makes the whole project feel more intentional. Balanced layouts usually develop into smoother handoffs for web development, too!
Why I Share These Fixes with Web Designers
They’re the common issues that separate a site that feels “good enough” from a successful one that clients are proud to show off.
My role as a website consultant is to help you spot them early, before they turn into endless revision rounds or unhappy handoffs.
Because I’ve been both the designer and the developer, I know how to give feedback that actually fits into your process. It’s not just “make it prettier.” It’s practical guidance with real value that you can act on immediately.
Want to Know What I’d Recommend? Try My Consulting Services.
If you’re interested in a quick outside review, I’ll record a walkthrough and send you a clear checklist of fixes. Whether you’re polishing a new website, reworking a page before launch, or just want an extra set of eyes, I’m here to help. Reach out today, and I’ll take a look for you.
