Your website is often the first, and sometimes only, chance to make a strong impression. For many manufacturers, it's a key part of the sales process. But too often, we see outdated, confusing, or underperforming websites holding businesses back. These issues don’t just affect how your site looks. They impact trust, lead generation, and sales.
At Foremost Media, we’ve worked with manufacturers across the country. We see the same critical design problems again and again. Here are five of the most common web design mistakes and what you can do to fix them.
1. Cluttered Layouts with No Visual Hierarchy
The Problem:
Many manufacturing websites cram too much information above the fold. Multiple calls to action (CTAs), dense blocks of text, outdated images, and competing fonts all create confusion. This makes it hard for visitors to know where to look or what to do next.
The Fix:
- Use white space to create breathing room.
- Establish a clear visual flow: headline > subheadline > CTA.
- Guide the visitor’s eye with consistent fonts, spacing, and contrast.
- Focus on one primary action per page, like “Request a Quote” or “View Capabilities.”
2. Poor Responsive Mobile Experience
The Problem:
In manufacturing, desktop setups are common. But that doesn’t mean mobile doesn’t matter. Decision-makers still research on their phones, especially during trade shows or on the go. If your mobile site is hard to use, you're losing leads.
The Fix:
- Use a fully responsive design, not just a scaled-down desktop version.
- Test navigation, forms, and image loading on all screen sizes.
- Keep load times fast by optimizing image sizes and scripts.
3. Low-Quality or Generic Imagery
The Problem:
Stock photos of handshakes or generic equipment don’t build trust. Worse, some sites use outdated or grainy images that hurt their credibility. Your audience wants to see your machines, your team, and your facility. We dive deeper into this topic in an earlier blog post you can check out read here.
The Fix:
- Use professional photography of your equipment, team, and processes.
- Avoid stock photos unless they are modern, relevant, and industry-specific.
- Add captions or labels to images to improve SEO and clarity.
4. Confusing Navigation
The Problem:
If visitors can’t easily find your products, capabilities, or RFQ forms, they’ll leave. Many sites hide key pages behind vague labels like “Solutions” or “Resources.”
The Fix:
- Keep top-level navigation simple with no more than six main items.
- Use clear, action-oriented labels like “Industries We Serve,” “Capabilities,” and “Product Gallery.”
- Include visible buttons like “Request a Quote” or “Talk to an Expert” in your header.
5. Missing or Weak Calls to Action (CTAs)
The Problem:
Many sites don’t clearly tell visitors what to do next. Without strong CTAs, people don’t know where to click and your leads disappear.
The Fix:
- Place bold, specific CTAs throughout your site as part of a conversion rate optimization (CRO) strategy: “Get a Quote,” “Download Spec Sheet,” “Talk to an Engineer.”
- Make them stand out visually and place them in key locations like hero sections, product pages, and footers.
- A/B test different CTA wording and placement to see what works best.
Bonus Tip: Add Trust Signals That Matter
If you want to build confidence with industrial buyers, show them you’re legit. Use these trust-builders:
- Logos of current clients
- Certifications like ISO or AS9100
- Case studies and testimonials
- Downloadable specs or CAD files
- Photos of your facility and team
Most B2B manufacturers don’t need flashy, artistic websites. You need one that’s clean, easy to use, mobile-friendly, and built to generate leads. Avoid these common mistakes and you’ll immediately boost your site’s performance and your brand’s credibility.
Need help with a website redesign?
Our Creative Department at Foremost Media knows what works in manufacturing. Let’s build something that drives real results. Request a free quote today!