As a small business or freelancer, your website is often the first interaction potential clients have with you—and whether they know it or not, they’re judging your credibility within seconds. The good news? Most of the website mistakes that turn visitors away are completely avoidable.
Below are the five most common website mistakes that quietly cost businesses clients—plus simple fixes to get your site working for you, not against you.
1. Your Website Looks Outdated or Unprofessional
First impressions matter online more than anywhere else. Moreover, if your website feels cluttered, outdated, or inconsistent, visitors may question your credibility—even before reading a single word.
How to Fix this website mistake:
Use a clean, modern design with plenty of white space
Stick to 2–3 brand colors and 1–2 fonts
Update your homepage headline to clearly say what you do
Swap out old images for high-quality, on-brand visuals
A refreshed look instantly increases trust and also keeps people browsing longer.
2. It’s Hard to Understand What You Offer
If visitors can’t quickly understand what you do, who you serve, and how you help, they won’t go looking for answers—they’ll simply leave. Additionally, this can also help capture leads or create sales!
How to Fix this website mistake:
Add a clear service summary above the fold
Include straightforward descriptions (avoid industry jargon)
Add visuals or icons to make services easy to skim
People buy when they understand. Make clarity the priority.
3. You Don’t Have Clear Calls-to-Action (CTAs)
A website with no clear next step confuses visitors. They may like what they see, but they can’t take action if you never guide them.
How to Fix this website mistake:
Add a primary CTA (ex: “Book a Call,” “Request a Quote”) to the header
Place CTAs at the top, middle, and bottom of key pages
Keep your CTAs consistent across the site
Make it obvious what you want visitors to do—and they’re far more likely to do it.
4. Your Website Loads Too Slowly
Even a gorgeous website can cost you clients if it loads slowly. Most visitors leave if a site takes more than three seconds to appear.
How to Fix this website mistake:
Compress images
Remove heavy scripts and unnecessary plugins
Use a fast, reliable hosting provider
A faster website means happier visitors and better search rankings.
5. You Don’t Have Trust Builders
People won’t buy from a business they don’t trust. If your website is missing credibility elements, visitors may hesitate—even if they love what you offer. However, if you build trust in your brand, people will flock to your business.
How to Fix this website mistake:
Add testimonials with names and photos
Include logos of clients or partners (when allowed)
Display certifications, awards, or years of experience
Add real photos of you or your team
Trust isn’t optional—it’s what drives conversions.
Final Thoughts
Your website is one of your most valuable business tools—but only if it’s built with your clients’ needs in mind. By fixing these five common mistakes, you’ll create a website that’s clearer, faster, and far more effective at converting visitors into paying clients.
If your website needs a refresh (or you’d like expert help fixing these issues), that’s exactly what I specialize in for small businesses and freelancers.
Feel free to reach out anytime.
