Common Website Mistakes (and How to Avoid Them)
Your website is often the first impression someone gets of your business—so you want to make it a good one.
Unfortunately, many small business websites are full of little (and big) mistakes that drive visitors away or make the brand look less professional. But don’t worry! Most of these are easy to fix once you know what to look for.
Let’s break down the most common website mistakes—and how to avoid them.
Slow Loading Speeds
Why it matters: If your site takes longer than 3 seconds to load, people bounce—and likely never come back.
How to fix it:
- Compress your images before uploading
- Use a reliable hosting provider
- Avoid bloated page builders and too many plugins
No Clear Call to Action (CTA)
Why it matters: Visitors need to know what to do next—call, book, shop, subscribe, etc. How to fix it:
- Add clear, visible buttons (“Book Now,” “Get a Free Quote,” “Contact Us”)
- Place CTAs high on the page and throughout your site
Not Mobile-Friendly
Why it matters: Over half of all website traffic comes from phones. If your site isn’t mobile-optimized, you’re losing customers.
How to fix it:
- Use a responsive design that adapts to any screen size
- Test your site on multiple devices
Outdated Design
Why it matters: A site that looks like it’s from 2010 sends the message that your business might be behind the times too.
How to fix it:
- Refresh your design every few years
- Keep things clean, modern, and easy to navigate
- Use high-quality images and simple fonts
Missing Key Info
Why it matters: If people can’t quickly find your hours, contact info, or services, they’ll leave.
How to fix it:
- Make sure your homepage (or header/footer) clearly shows:
- Phone number
- Address/service area
- Hours of operation
- What you do and who you help
No SEO Strategy
Why it matters: Even the prettiest site won’t get traffic if it doesn’t show up in search results.
How to fix it:
- Use keywords your ideal customer is searching for
- Optimize title tags, meta descriptions, and image alt text
- Start a blog or FAQ page to build organic content
Broken Links or Features
Why it matters: Broken pages, error messages, or non-working forms destroy trust.
How to fix it:
- Regularly test your links and forms
- Set up 404 pages with helpful navigation
- Use tools like Google Search Console to monitor site health
DIY That Looks... DIY
Why it matters: A site that’s confusing or unpolished can make even the best business look unprofessional.
How to fix it:
- Use a clean, professional template—or better yet, hire a pro 👋
- Make sure your branding is consistent (colors, fonts, tone)
- Don’t overload the site with too much text or too many effects
A great website doesn’t have to be fancy—but it does need to be functional, fast, and user-friendly. Avoiding these common mistakes puts you way ahead of the competition.
And if all this sounds like a lot? That’s because it is. But that’s exactly why it pays to work with someone who knows how to do it right.
