Are your website fonts killing the mood? Ensuring that your text is not only legible but also aligns with your brand’s personality is crucial for a successful website design. In this post, I’ll dive into the top four font mistakes I frequently encounter and how to fix them.

4 Common Website Font Mistakes

1. Excessive Letter-Spacing

A beautifully crafted cursive script with excessive spacing is a big no-no. Script fonts are meant to flow seamlessly, with letters dancing harmoniously together. The same principle applies to any text on your website, especially paragraphs. When the tracking (the space between characters) is either too expansive or too compressed, words can quickly turn into an illegible mess.

Tip: Strive for a balanced tracking that ensures readability without sacrificing elegance in your script fonts. For other text, maintain a consistent spacing that respects the flow of your content.

2. Using Inappropriate Fonts

Selecting the right fonts for your business and industry can make or break the ambiance your website conveys. Fonts help set the tone for your brand’s messaging. Consulting with a branding designer (like myself) will help you, as they’ll provide complimentary fonts that will set the tone.

Example: Consider a spa’s website. The use of bold, attention-grabbing fonts may clash with the desired ambiance of relaxation. In this context, opting for a softer, more soothing font aligns better with the brand’s essence.

3. Background Contrast Issues

Contrast is the distinction between text color and the background it rests upon. Ensuring text is legible to both the naked eye and those with less than perfect vision is crucial. A useful trick is to squint your eyes to try to read the text. Remember that individuals with poor eyesight may struggle more, so your text should cater to a broader audience. If you find it challenging to read your text due to background color or images, it’s a sign that others will face similar difficulties.

Pro Tip: Collaborate with a brand designer to create a brand guideline that defines the suitable background colors, accents, and text colors to avoid issues of illegibility.

4. Font Overload

Variety is not always a good thing! I recommend sticking to a palette of three to four fonts at most. Too many fonts can create brand confusion and disrupt the visual cohesion of your site. Consistency is key; maintain uniformity in heading, subheading, and paragraph fonts across all platforms to ensure a seamless, on-brand experience for your audience.

Guideline: Limit your font selection to a handful of options that align with your brand’s identity, and place them consistently throughout your website.

Need Help with Other Areas of Your Site?

In addition to fonts, your website design may require attention in other areas. That’s precisely why I offer a FREE website audit checklist—a comprehensive 10-page resource designed to help you identify areas that might need refinement or correction on your website. If you’re wanting to fully re-design your website, my custom website design services or affordable Showit website templates might be the better choice!