5 Ways Beginner Bloggers Accidentally Look Unprofessional (And How to Fix Them Fast)
Beginner bloggers accidentally look unprofessional all the time — but don’t worry, you’re not alone. If you’re just getting started, it’s easy to trip over some very common (and very fixable) mistakes. I have often gotten in a hurry or been distracted and posted a misspelled word or scheduled for the wrong date. Trust me, I get it! 🙄 And my amazing hubby is usually the first to point it out.
The good news? These slip-ups are often the first step toward growth — and with a few small steps in the right direction, you can turn things around quickly and start building a blog that reflects your passion, brand identity, and professional standards.
I’m sure you know– Today’s world doesn’t wait around. If your blog loads slowly, looks chaotic, or feels confusing, your target audience is going to click away faster than you can say “contact form.”
Whether you’re blogging about food photography, launching a professional website for your small business, or sharing stories from your Saturday nights, first impressions carry a huge impact — and that impression can either build a strong business relationship or cost you trust.
Luckily, the best way to learn is by doing. Mistakes are part of the entire process, but you don’t need to make all of them yourself. This post is your step-by-step guide to recognizing the five most common ways new bloggers accidentally look unprofessional — and more importantly, how to fix them fast.
1 | Website Mistakes That Tank Your Credibility
Let’s start where it matters most — your blog’s home base. Neil Patel, himself, agrees.
“The design of a website’s navigation has a bigger impact on success or failure than almost any other factor.”
Your website isn’t just a place to post content. It’s your virtual handshake. It’s your PowerPoint presentation, your storefront, your digital vibe. If the experience feels off, your readers will be too.
There are dozens of web design pitfalls out there, but these five are the usual suspects:
Poor Navigation Drives Readers Away
Have you ever visited a website and thought, “Where am I supposed to go?” That’s poor navigation — and it’s one of the fastest ways to lose readers and search engine optimization points. If users can’t find what they need, your user experience suffers, and your bounce rate soars.
Fix it:
- Create a clear, consistent main menu.
- Use simple labels: “Home,” “Blog,” “Contact,” “Shop.”
- Add a search bar and breadcrumbs to help users explore.
- Keep your top menu to 5–7 essential links.
- Use new pages wisely — don’t bury content three clicks deep.
A Cluttered Design Can Be Unprofessional Looking
If your blog looks like a hoarder’s garage — full of clashing fonts, blinking widgets, and ads stacked like pancakes — it’s time to declutter. Good design communicates value. Cluttered design screams “school project.”
Fix it:
- Embrace whitespace (it’s your friend, not wasted space).
- Stick to a color scheme with 2–3 main colors.
- Use no more than two fonts across your site.
- Trash drafts of irrelevant widgets, old badges, or old blog posts.
- Group related content with visual hierarchy and flow.
Unclear Branding Looks Unprofessional
No one should land on your blog and ask, “Wait, what is this about?” A lack of brand identity makes your blog forgettable and less credible. Your blog isn’t just a hobby — it’s a powerful tool for building trust.
Fix it:
- Add a clear tagline near your logo.
- Tell your story on your “About” page — make it personal but relevant.
- Use consistent fonts, tone, and visuals across all online platforms, including your Facebook page.
- Design or outsource a logo that aligns with your niche.
- Create a brand guide with key stylistic choices for tone, images, and layout.
Too Many Ads or Pop-ups
We get it — monetizing is tempting. But if your readers are swatting away pop-ups like flies, you’ve crossed the line. Even the best features can get lost behind clutter.
Fix it:
- Use pop-ups sparingly and only trigger them with intent (like scrolling or exit).
- Limit ad spaces to your sidebar or footer — not mid-sentence.
- Ensure everything is mobile devices-friendly.
- Review Google’s best practices to avoid search engine penalties.
Hard-to-Read Text is Bad for Readability
Walls of text, tiny fonts, or low contrast are a big deal — they drain readers and hurt your blog’s visual appeal.
Fix it:
- Use at least 16px body text, with high contrast colors.
- Break paragraphs into short, scannable chunks.
- Use bullet points, visual automation, and subheadings.
- Choose fonts like Roboto, Open Sans, or Georgia for clarity.
2 | Too Personal vs. Too Impersonal
This one’s tricky. You want to connect — that’s the whole point of blogging, right? But share too much personal information, and you risk oversharing or even sounding unprofessional. On the flip side, if you’re too buttoned-up, your readers won’t feel a connection.
“Focus on your niche and create content that resonates with your target audience. Balance personal stories with professional insights to build trust and engagement.”
— Meg Prater, Managing Editor at HubSpot
Fix it:
- Share stories that serve a purpose — frame them around your blog topic.
- Keep sensitive personal information (like your physical address or private opinions on payday loans and interest rates) out of public view.
- Make space for a warm, friendly tone, but always consider your end customers.
- Show personality in your voice, not just in your selfies.
3 | Inconsistency: The Silent (Unprofessional) Credibility Killer
You don’t need to blog daily. But when you post one week and disappear for months, your readers stop checking back. Worse, you confuse search engines and lose out on traffic.
Scattered Blog Topics
Covering too many unrelated topics (like financial advisors, Google Slides, and banana bread) can leave your audience baffled.
Fix it:
- Find your niche and stick to it.
- Think about your target audience: what do they want? Need?
- Use categories and tags properly to organize content.
Infrequent or Unpredictable Posting
Small business owners often say, “I don’t have much time to blog.” But consistency matters more than frequency.
Fix it:
- Create a content calendar and post on a regular schedule — even once a month!
- Use tools like Trello, Notion, or even word processors to plan ahead.
- Batch your writing during slower weeks so you’re not scrambling later.
4 | Poor Grammar and Spelling
This is the fastest way to lose authority. YES! Typos, incorrect punctuation, and awkward phrasing instantly lower your credibility — especially in the written word.
Fix it:
- Use essential tools like Grammarly or Hemingway Editor.
- Reread everything. Then read it again.
- Consider peer edits — ask a friend, colleague, or even AI.
- Avoid writing late on Saturday nights — trust me.
My best advice here is to slow down and really focus on quality! (note to self!)
5 | Low-Quality Images Look Very Unprofessional
This one’s often overlooked, but it makes a lasting impact. Blurry, stretched, or irrelevant images suggest laziness — and no one wants advice from someone who didn’t even take the time to source a decent photo.
Fix it:
- Use free, high-resolution sites like Unsplash, Pexels, or Canva.
- Stick to a consistent style or filter for visual cohesion.
- Compress images for faster loading (a slow blog is a bad idea).
- Avoid copyrighted content and use ethical standards when sourcing.
- Use images as part of an engaging presentation, not filler.
You're Doing Better Than You Think!
Every blogger starts somewhere. No one launches a blog with perfect branding, flawless grammar, and a flawless strategy from day one — and if they say they did, they’re probably sharing false information.
The first step is recognizing where you can improve. The easy way to grow is by making small changes — one contact form, one design tweak, one post at a time. Blogging is a powerful tool when used the right way — and your voice, story, and purpose all deserve a professional space to shine.
So here’s your call to action: audit your blog this week. Use these best practices, update your email address and contact information, revisit your domain name and theme, and trash drafts that no longer serve your goals. You’ve got this.
And if you ever have a hard time? Just remember — even the best bloggers once wrote something that sounded like a school project.