What We Learned From 100 Website Audits
- Brenna Knight
- 12 hours ago
- 3 min read
5 Common Website Mistakes Designers Make—and How to Fix Them
At every Design Camp, every camper goes through our Website & Copywriting Audit session, and without fail, it becomes one of the most talked-about experiences of the week. It’s also one of the most immediately impactful.
In this session, our team of experts leads a small group deep dive into each designer’s website. We conduct live audits and walk through best practices for developing, enhancing, and refining the elements of a brand’s digital identity. We look at everything—structure, layout, messaging, copy, visual identity, and the client journey—because when it comes to your online presence, every detail matters.
After auditing over 100 websites from interior designers across the country (and beyond), we started to notice the same issues popping up again and again. Whether you’re just getting started or you’ve been in business for a decade, these five common mistakes might be holding your website back.
Download our free Website Checklist for Interior Designers—a simple tool to identify what’s working, what’s not, and what to focus on next.
1. Over-Designed Websites That Compete With the Portfolio
This one might surprise you, especially as a designer: a beautiful site is not always a functional one. When a website is too visually complex or heavily styled, it can actually compete with your own portfolio imagery instead of complementing it.
Your work should be the main character.
Your site is the frame.
Our advice? Let the design breathe. Use whitespace generously. Choose typography and layouts that support—rather than steal from—your interior design imagery. The simpler the structure, the more confidence your brand conveys.
2. Confusing or Overwhelming Navigation
When people land on your homepage, they’re deciding—within seconds—if you’re the right fit. One of the biggest ways designers lose potential leads is by making the navigation too complicated or bloated.
If your menu bar has eight different options (and dropdowns under each), the user might not even know where to begin. And when users feel overwhelmed, they click away.
Instead, guide the user with clear, intentional buttons. Think:
Home
Portfolio
Services
About
Contact
Keep it simple. Make it easy. Help people find what they came for—fast.
3. Outdated or Oversized Portfolios
More projects doesn’t equal more credibility.
We’ve seen plenty of portfolios packed with work, but when asked which projects truly reflect their brand, designers often only name two or three. You don’t need ten case studies. You need five great ones. Especially if they speak directly to the type of clientele you’re trying to attract.
If your portfolio isn’t up to date—or includes projects that no longer align with your brand—it’s time to edit. Treat your portfolio like a magazine layout: intentional, curated, and always on-brand.
4. Overloading the Services Page With Information
Designers often think that more detail = more clarity. But when it comes to your Services page, too much copy can actually drive users away.
Your audience is busy. They’re not reading paragraphs of service breakdowns—they’re skimming for answers. And when they don’t get those answers quickly, they move on. Or worse, they bookmark your site with the intention to “read it later”… and never come back.
The fix? Break things up into bite-sized sections, use headers and bullet points, and invite them to get in touch for more. Your Services page should act as a conversation starter—not a contract.
5. Overcomplicating the Contact Form
You finally convinced them to reach out. Don’t lose them here.
We see a lot of designers overdo the contact form—asking for project timelines, Pinterest boards, full budgets, and more. While some of that info can be helpful eventually, the initial form should feel approachable.
Instead, aim for a form that sets the tone and gathers just enough context to book a discovery call. Think:
Name
Email
Project Type or Location
A quick open-ended field
That’s it. Once they’re in your inbox, you can dig deeper.
Finished Your Website Audit and Ready for a Site That Works With You?
At IDCO Studio, we’ve helped hundreds of interior designers overhaul their websites—whether through our plug-and-play Website Templates, full Implementation + Copywriting services, or collaborative Semi-Custom Website experience.
Wherever you're at in your business journey, we’re here to help you level up your digital presence.
Have a unique challenge or something you’re stuck on? Reach out to our team. We’d love to hear more and recommend the best next step for your business.
