why your website might be costing you business
let’s be honest – most small business websites aren’t perfect. maybe yours was built a while ago. maybe your cousin made it as a favour. maybe it still works, sort of. but here’s the thing: if your site isn’t pulling its weight, it could be quietly turning customers away.
you don’t need to be a tech expert to spot the signs. in fact, once you know what to look for, it becomes pretty obvious. and fixing it? often easier than you’d think.
in this post, we’ll walk through the most common signs that your website might be losing you business – and what you can do to turn things around.
your website takes forever to load
nobody likes waiting around
first things first – speed matters. if your website takes too long to load, most people won’t stick around. we’re all impatient these days. whether someone’s on a phone or laptop, they expect a site to pop up almost instantly.
if it takes more than a few seconds, they’re off. probably to a competitor whose website loads faster.
how to check it
go to your site on your phone and see how long it takes. you can also use free tools like google pagespeed insights or gtmetrix. they’ll tell you what’s slowing things down – like oversized images, outdated plugins, or bad hosting.
quick tip
compressed images and a decent hosting plan can make a huge difference. also, if your site’s on an old platform or using clunky themes, it might be time for a refresh.
absolutely lost and just have no interest in learning how to sort your website out?
no worries. hit that button, and let’s organise a chat. it’s free and i don’t bite.
it doesn’t work well on mobile
more people are on phones than desktops
over half of all website traffic now comes from mobile devices. if your site only looks good on a laptop and falls apart on a phone, that’s a big red flag.
things like tiny text, buttons you can’t tap, or menus that disappear can frustrate visitors — and frustrated visitors don’t become customers.
test it yourself
grab your phone and try to book your own service or find your contact details. is it smooth? or do you find yourself pinching and zooming just to read the text? if it’s tricky for you, it’s worse for a new visitor.
what you can do
make sure your site uses responsive design – which means it automatically adjusts to different screen sizes. most modern websites do, but older ones may need a rebuild.
a website is no longer a luxury.
it’s part of the toolkit. it helps people find you, understand what you do, and feel confident choosing your business. and with affordable options out there, now’s a great time to get started.
your website is hard to use
frustration kills trust
ever landed on a site and had no idea where to click next? maybe the menu’s all over the place. or the page scrolls weird. or there are pop-ups that won’t go away.
a confusing or clunky site can feel unprofessional. and if your site feels dodgy, people might assume your business is too.
keep it simple
good web design isn’t about being flashy – it’s about being easy to use. clean layout. clear headings. buttons that do what they say. and don’t overload visitors with too many choices.
think of your website like a shop. if people can’t find the till or the exit, they’re not going to hang around.
your website doesn’t have to be perfect – but it does have to do its job. that means being fast, clear, easy to use, and findable.
if you’re unsure where to start, focus on these basics. test it on your phone. make your message clear. and ask someone outside your business to try it and give honest feedback.
fixing even one or two of these things can help your site go from “meh” to “money-maker.”
and if it still feels overwhelming? that’s where a friendly web developer (hi!) can help. no jargon, no hard sell – just practical advice and websites that work.