1. Using Fixed Widths and Heights Everywhere

❌ The Mistake

Setting fixed widths or heights (for example, 600px containers or 500px image heights) may look fine on desktop but often breaks layouts on smaller screens.

✅ How to Fix It

• Use max-width instead of width
• Let height stay auto whenever possible
• Rely on padding and content flow

Flexible sizing is the foundation of responsive design.

2. Ignoring Tablet Breakpoints

❌ The Mistake

Many designers jump from Desktop straight to Mobile, skipping Tablet entirely. This often causes awkward spacing or broken layouts on iPads and smaller laptops.

✅ How to Fix It

• Always review Tablet breakpoint
• Adjust padding, margins, and font sizes
• Fix layout transitions early

Tablet deserves intentional design, not guesswork.

3. Overusing Absolute Positioning

❌ The Mistake

Absolute positioning removes elements from the normal flow, which often leads to overlaps and hidden content on mobile.

✅ How to Fix It

• Use Flexbox or Grid instead
• Reserve absolute positioning for decorative elements only
• Test positioning on all breakpoints

Layout tools exist for a reason—use them.

4. Designing Only for Desktop

❌ The Mistake

A visually impressive desktop layout can become unreadable or unusable on mobile if mobile is treated as an afterthought.

✅ How to Fix It

• Plan for vertical stacking early
• Simplify layouts on mobile
• Prioritize content clarity over visuals

Responsive design is about usability, not just aesthetics.

5. Using Large Fixed Typography

❌ The Mistake

Large hero text and fixed font sizes often overflow or dominate mobile screens.

✅ How to Fix It

• Scale headings down on mobile
• Adjust line height for readability
• Test long headings, not short placeholders

Typography should adapt, not overpower.

6. Not Testing With Real Content

❌ The Mistake

Placeholder text hides problems that appear with real headlines, paragraphs, and images.

✅ How to Fix It

• Use real copy early
• Test different content lengths
• Check multi-line headings

Real content reveals real issues.

7. Broken Mobile Navigation

❌ The Mistake

Navigation menus that work on desktop often fail on mobile—links become too small or menus overlap content.

✅ How to Fix It

• Use mobile-friendly navigation patterns
• Increase tap target sizes
• Test menu interactions on mobile preview

Navigation must be touch-first on mobile.

8. Causing Horizontal Scrolling on Mobile

❌ The Mistake

Horizontal scroll usually comes from oversized elements or images without constraints.

✅ How to Fix It

• Set images to max-width: 100%
• Avoid negative margins
• Check for elements wider than the viewport

A clean mobile layout never scrolls sideways.

9. Overloading Mobile With Effects and Animations

❌ The Mistake

Heavy animations and interactions can slow down mobile performance and hurt usability.

✅ How to Fix It

• Reduce animations on mobile breakpoints
• Disable non-essential effects
• Prioritize performance

Responsive design in 2026 is also about speed.

10. Skipping Final Responsive Testing Before Publish

❌ The Mistake

Publishing without checking all breakpoints often leads to avoidable issues.

✅ How to Fix It

• Preview Desktop, Tablet, and Mobile
• Scroll every page
• Click buttons and links on mobile view

A final responsive review saves time and protects quality.

Most Webflow responsive design problems come from design decisions, not technical limitations. By avoiding these common mistakes and applying simple fixes, you can build responsive Webflow websites that feel intentional, professional, and user-friendly on every device.

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