What clients often overlook when ordering a website (and how to fix it)

Creating a website is a serious step for every business. But even with a budget and an idea, many entrepreneurs make the same mistakes. In this article, we’ll look at the most common mistakes when ordering a website and give you tips on how to avoid them.

❌ 1. Lack of clear terms of reference (TOR)

Problem: Clients often come to developers with general wishes such as “I want a website like Apple’s” without any specifics.

How to fix it:

  • Create a basic document describing the site’s goals, functionality, and desired design.
  • Add examples of sites you like.
  • Discuss the TOR with the developer before starting work.

Read more about how to prepare a technical task for developers in simple terms in our article.

❌ 2. Ignoring the mobile version

The problem: Some clients still don’t understand the importance of responsive design. Meanwhile, more than 60% of traffic comes from mobile devices.

How to fix it:

  • Make sure the developer creates a responsive design.
  • Ask to see how the site looks on smartphones separately.

❌ 3. Insufficient attention to SEO

The problem: They create a beautiful website, but without basic SEO optimization: meta tags, loading speed, URL structure, etc.

How to fix it:

  • Require basic SEO optimization from the developer.
  • Think about the semantic core before starting the project.

❌ 4. Lack of preparation for website content

The problem: Clients do not prepare texts, photos, descriptions of goods or services. This slows down the process.

How to fix it:

  • Prepare content in parallel with development.
  • If possible, order copywriting from a specialist.

❌ 5. Ignoring security

Problem: No SSL certificate, weak passwords, no backup.

How to fix it:

  • Make sure the site has SSL.
  • Set up regular backups and protection.

Why website security is so important – you can find out more details here.

✅ Summary

Successful website development starts with realizing your goals and working with professionals. By avoiding common mistakes, you will not only save time and money, but also get a tool that will work for your business.