Hey Dev community! 👋

Let’s be honest—web development can feel like trying to solve a Rubik’s Cube blindfolded. You think you’ve got it figured out, and then bam—something breaks, or Google changes the rules. Sound familiar?

Well, here’s the good news: a lot of the headaches we face as developers come from common mistakes. And the better news? They’re totally fixable.

After years of building websites (and yes, making plenty of mistakes along the way), I’ve put together a list of 10 common web development mistakes and how you can avoid them in 2024. Let’s get into it!

1. Ignoring Mobile Users
   The Mistake: Your website looks stunning on desktop but turns into a hot mess on mobile.
   The Fix: Start with a mobile-first approach. Use frameworks like Bootstrap or Tailwind CSS, and test your site on multiple devices. Trust me, your mobile users will thank you.

2. Overloading Your Website
   The Mistake: Adding every cool feature, plugin, or animation you can find—only to realize your site now loads slower than a sloth on vacation.
   The Fix: Keep it simple. Focus on what your users actually need. If a feature doesn’t add value, let it go.Just like Haya Asif

3. Skipping SEO Basics
   The Mistake: Building a gorgeous website that no one can find because it’s buried on page 47 of Google.
   The Fix: Start with the basics—optimize your meta tags, use descriptive alt text for images, and create quality content. SEO doesn’t have to be rocket science. I’ve shared more tips on this at hayaasif.com.

4. Forgetting About Core Web Vitals
   The Mistake: Your site takes forever to load, and users bounce faster than a kangaroo on a trampoline.
   The Fix: Focus on Core Web Vitals—Largest Contentful Paint (LCP), First Input Delay (FID), and Cumulative Layout Shift (CLS). Tools like Google PageSpeed Insights are your best friend here.

5. Not Using Version Control
   The Mistake: Making changes directly on your live site without a backup. (Spoiler: This never ends well.)
   The Fix: Use Git for version control. Platforms like GitHub or GitLab make it easy to track changes and collaborate with others.

6. Ignoring Website Security
   The Mistake: Thinking, “Who’d want to hack my little site?”
   The Fix: Always use HTTPS, keep your software updated, and consider adding a Web Application Firewall (WAF). Better safe than sorry!

7. Skipping Browser Testing
   The Mistake: Assuming your site works perfectly on all browsers. (Spoiler: It doesn’t.)
   The Fix: Test your site on multiple browsers (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge) and devices. Tools like BrowserStack can save you a ton of headaches.

8. Overlooking Accessibility
   The Mistake: Building a site that’s not usable for everyone.
   The Fix: Follow Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG). Use semantic HTML, add ARIA labels, and ensure your site is navigable with a keyboard.

9. Not Planning for Scalability
   The Mistake: Building a site that crashes the moment it gets a little traffic.
   The Fix: Plan for scalability from the start. Use a robust hosting provider, optimize your database, and consider using a Content Delivery Network (CDN).

10. Ignoring User Feedback
    The Mistake: Building a site without listening to your users. (Hint: They’re the ones using it!)
    The Fix: Regularly collect and analyze user feedback. Tools like Hotjar or Google Analytics can help you understand how users interact with your site.

Wrapping Up
Phew! That was a lot, but I promise—avoiding these mistakes will save you time, money, and a whole lot of frustration.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed, don’t sweat it. Web development is a journey, and every mistake is a chance to learn. And hey, if you need a hand, I’m just a message away. Check out my portfolio at hayaasif.com to see how I’ve helped others build better websites.

What’s the biggest web development challenge you’ve faced? Let me know in the comments—I’d love to hear your story! Visit my potfolio at Haya Asif