Your personal website is your digital first impression — whether you're a freelancer, creative, consultant, or job seeker. But too often, these sites contain mistakes that turn potential clients or employers away instead of drawing them in.
In this article, we’ll explore the most common mistakes people make on their personal websites, and how to fix them to create a high-performing, professional presence online.
Many personal websites try to do everything at once — blog, sell, showcase, promote — but end up confusing the visitor.
Fix it:
Decide the main goal of your site: is it to get freelance work, land a job, or build your brand?
Make that goal obvious on your homepage with clear messaging and a call-to-action (CTA).
Example:
“I help small businesses grow through smart branding. [See My Work]”
One of the most visited pages is often treated like an afterthought — generic, overly formal, or too vague.
Fix it:
Write in your natural voice
Include a short bio, career journey, and what makes you unique
Add a professional photo and social proof if possible
👉 See our full guide on writing a great “About Me” page
If visitors can't easily find your work, services, or contact info, they'll leave.
Fix it:
Use a simple, clean navigation menu
Limit it to 4–6 core links: Home, About, Portfolio, Services, Blog, Contact
Make your call-to-action buttons clear and visible
In today’s fast world, a slow site = lost opportunity. Most visitors will leave if your site takes more than 3 seconds to load.
Fix it:
Optimize image sizes
Use proper web hosting
Remove unnecessary plugins or scripts
Use tools like PageSpeed Insights to test and improve speed.
Over 60% of web traffic comes from mobile devices. If your site looks bad on a phone, you’re losing leads.
Fix it:
Choose a responsive design
Test your site on different screen sizes
Avoid tiny text or buttons that are hard to tap
You need to guide visitors on what to do next — whether that’s contacting you, hiring you, or viewing your work.
Fix it:
Use strong, clear CTAs throughout your site:
“Hire Me”, “Book a Call”, “View My Portfolio”, “Let’s Work Together”
Place CTAs above the fold and at the end of pages
A stale or empty portfolio is a major red flag for potential clients or employers.
Fix it:
Showcase only your best work (quality > quantity)
Include project descriptions, your role, and results or outcomes
Update your portfolio regularly — aim for at least 2–4 strong pieces
You’d be surprised how many personal websites make it hard to get in touch.
Fix it:
Make sure your contact page works
Include multiple contact options: email, phone, contact form, LinkedIn
Respond promptly and professionally to inquiries
Phrases like “motivated self-starter with a passion for innovation” say little and feel impersonal.
Fix it:
Be specific about what you do and how you help
Show personality and clarity — talk like a real person
Replace fluff with real examples and results
If your site isn't showing up on Google, you're missing organic traffic and opportunities.
Fix it:
Use proper title tags, meta descriptions, and keywords
Include alt text for images
Create content (like blog posts) targeting your audience's search intent
Think of your personal website as your digital storefront. Every detail — from design to messaging — reflects on your professionalism and credibility.
Avoiding these common mistakes can turn your website into a powerful tool that helps you attract the right opportunities, clients, or employers.
Need help building or improving your personal site?
We offer custom-designed portfolio websites built to impress. [Contact us today →]
