Top Tips to Avoid Mistakes & Fix Common Problems
Once your website is live, you might want to update text, swap images or add new pages yourself.
That is great. Your site should feel manageable.
But there are a few common mistakes that can quietly affect layout, speed or SEO. This guide covers the essentials so you can make changes confidently and avoid unnecessary issues.
Be Careful With Headings and Formatting
One of the most common mistakes is formatting text using heading tags just because it looks bigger.
Headings are not styling tools. They define structure.
The basics
-
Only one H1 per page
-
H2s for main sections
-
H3s for sub sections
-
Use paragraph text for normal content
If you make everything an H2 to make it bold, you confuse search engines and weaken page structure.
If you need text to look different, adjust styling. Do not change heading levels.
Further Reading
SEO is more than layout. It is the foundation underneath it.
Read more: What is basic on-page seo
Do Not Change URLs Lightly
It is tempting to tidy a page URL once the site is live.
For example:/services-web-design-devon-2024/
to/web-design-devon/
But when you change a URL, you must add a redirect.
Without a redirect:
- Google loses the page
- Any links pointing to it break
- Rankings can drop
If you are unsure whether a URL change is safe, check first.
Further Reading
Optimise Images Before Uploading
Large images are one of the biggest causes of slow websites.
Before uploading:
- Resize to around 1200px wide for full width images
- Compress using TinyPNG or similar
- Rename the file clearly, for example
devon-web-design.jpg - Add alt text describing the image
Uploading straight from your phone without resizing often creates files that are far larger than needed.
Speed affects both user experience and SEO.
Revert to a Previous Version of a Page
Mistakes happen. That is normal.
In WordPress you can restore earlier versions.
To revert a page:
- Open the page in the dashboard using the classic editor (not Visual Editor)
- Look for the “Revisions” section - normally located near the Publish Button
- Click to view previous versions
- Compare changes
- Restore the version you need
If something looks wrong after editing, do not panic. Check revisions first.
If things don't look right after saving
Before assuming something is broken, run through this quick checklist:
Reset Permalinks
Dashboard → Settings → Permalinks → Click Save → Wait → Click Save again.
This often fixes strange 404 errors.
Clear Static Cache
Dashboard > Divi > Theme Options > Clear Static Cache
Clear Your Browser Cache
Open the page in an incognito window or hard refresh.
Many “issues” are simply cached versions of the page.
Further Reading
Avoid Installing Extra Plugins
Plugins add features. They also add weight.
Too many plugins can:
- Slow the site
- Create conflicts
- Introduce security risks
If you are unsure whether a plugin is needed, pause before installing.
Back Up Before Major Changes
If you are:
- Redesigning a page
- Installing a new plugin
- Updating multiple plugins at once
Make sure a recent backup exists.
It is much easier to restore than to rebuild.
Keep Calls to Action Visible
When editing pages, do not accidentally remove or bury your call to action.
Each key page should still clearly show:
- Contact Me
- Book a Call
- Get a Quote
If someone is ready to take the next step, make it easy.
Common New Owner Mistakes
Here are the patterns I see most often:
- Using H2s just to make text bigger
- Changing URLs without redirects
- Uploading huge image files
- Deleting pages instead of redirecting them
- Forgetting to test changes on mobile
- Assuming something is broken before clearing cache
None of these are dramatic. But together they affect performance.
Final Note
Your website should feel manageable, not fragile.
- Small, careful updates are completely fine.
- Thoughtful structure protects SEO.
- Regular reviews keep everything healthy.
If something feels uncertain or stops behaving as expected, send a message before spending hours troubleshooting.