I see it all the time in Facebook groups and enquiry forms:
“I just need a simple website.”
“Something small and easy.”
“Nothing fancy – just the basics.”
And look, I get it. You’re trying not to overcomplicate things. You don’t want to spend months (or a fortune) on a website.
But here’s the thing: “simple” and “easy” don’t mean the same thing as “strategic.”
And without strategy? Even the “simplest” website can end up being a frustrating, expensive mess that doesn’t actually help your organisation achieve anything.
So if you’re planning a website rebuild (or refresh) in 2026, let’s talk about the mistakes I see organisations make – and what to do instead.
6 mistakes I see in website rebuilds
Mistake #1: Starting with pages instead of outcomes
Most people start their website planning with a list of pages:
“We need a Home page, an About page, a Services page, a Contact page…”
Cool. But why?
What do you actually want your website to do for you in 2026?
- Drive more donations?
- Increase event sign-ups?
- Get more enquiries from aligned clients?
- Make it easier for people to find specific resources?
If you can’t answer that question clearly, you’re building a brochure, not a tool.
What to do instead:
Start with outcomes. Get specific. Then build the pages and content structure around those goals.
Mistake #2: Designing for internal stakeholders, not visitors
I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve heard:
“We need a section for X because [insert internal person] thinks it’s important.”
But here’s the hard truth: your website isn’t for you. It’s for the people you’re trying to reach.
Your internal team might think every program, initiative, and piece of content needs to live on the homepage. Your visitors? They just want to find what they came for – fast.
What to do instead:
Design for your top 2–3 user journeys. Make those pathways crystal clear. Everything else can live elsewhere (or get cut entirely).
Mistake #3: Ignoring your top 2 user journeys
Speaking of user journeys…
Most organisations don’t actually know what their visitors are trying to do when they land on the site.
Are they trying to:
- Donate?
- Book a consultation?
- Sign up for an event?
- Download a resource?
- Apply for a program?
If you’re not sure, your visitors won’t be either.
What to do instead:
Map out your top 2 user journeys. Make them obvious, frictionless, and impossible to miss. If someone has to click more than 2–3 times to take action, you’ve lost them.
Mistake #4: Treating accessibility as an "extra"
Here’s a belief shift I need you to hear:
Accessibility isn’t a nice-to-have. It’s how you make your website easier for everyone.
- Clear headings? Helpful for screen readers and people skimming on their phone.
- Good colour contrast? Essential for low vision and outdoor screen glare.
- Keyboard navigation? Critical for motor disabilities and power users who hate using a mouse.
And here’s the thing: as of April 2025, accessibility for digital goods and services is no longer optional in Australia. The Australian Human Rights Commission released updated guidance directly tied to the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA), making it unlawful to discriminate against people with disabilities in the provision of goods and services – including websites.
(If you want the full breakdown, Gen Herres from Easy A11y Guide has a brilliant explainer here: If It’s Digital, It Must Be Accessible: Australia’s New Rules Explained)
It’s not just about “doing the right thing”, though. When you build accessibility in from the start, you’re improving the experience for all your visitors.
What to do instead:
Build accessibility into your planning process. It’s not a checkbox; it’s part of good design. (And if you want a practical starting point, I’ve got 8 quick checks you can do right now.)
Mistake #5: Leaving performance + sustainability as an afterthought
Let’s be real: heavy websites are bad for everyone.
- Slow load times = frustrated visitors = higher bounce rates.
- Bloated pages = more energy used = higher carbon footprint.
- Poor performance = lower Google rankings = less visibility.
If your website takes 10+ seconds to load, people aren’t waiting around. And if your pages are pushing 5MB+ in size? That’s a sustainability (and user experience) problem.
What to do instead:
Plan for performance and sustainability from day one. Efficient websites are faster, greener, and more effective. It’s a win for people and the planet.
Mistake #6: Not planning content properly
You know what sinks most website projects?
Content chaos.
Organisations dive into a rebuild without figuring out:
- What content they actually need (vs. what they have)
- Who’s responsible for writing/gathering it
- What the key messages and CTAs should be
And then the project stalls because no one knows what to say or where to put it.
What to do instead:
Start with a content audit and strategy. Figure out what stays, what goes, and what needs to be created. Clarity first, design second.
So… what's the better approach?
Here’s what I recommend to every organisation planning a website rebuild or refresh:
Start with a plan. A roadmap for your website.
A Footprint Session (website strategy + roadmap) gives you:
- Clarity on what your website actually needs to achieve
- A prioritised list of what to focus on first (and what can wait)
- A clear understanding of your top user journeys and how to support them
- Recommendations on accessibility, performance, and sustainability improvements
- A plan you can take to any designer or developer - or use to guide your own DIY work
It’s the difference between throwing money at a problem and investing in a strategic solution.
Ready to plan smarter?
If you’re thinking about a website rebuild or refresh in 2026, let’s make sure you’re starting on solid ground.
Book a Footprint Session (website strategy + roadmap) and we’ll map out exactly what your website needs – no guesswork, no wasted budget, just a clear, actionable plan.
(Sessions are available from 12 January 2026 onwards)
PS: If you’re already pretty sure a full rebuild is on the cards, I’m booking Breach projects (custom website design + build) from late February onwards. You can send an enquiry now and I’ll be in touch once I’m back on deck. 🐋