Image of ladies hands on laptop with words 5 common website mistakes small businesses make and how to fix them

Hi there, my fellow business owner! Your website is like your virtual storefront, welcoming customers from all corners of the internet. But sometimes, we make a few blunders that can turn away our potential visitors. No worries, though!

In this post, I'll share with you five common website mistakes we often make and, more importantly, how to give them a friendly fix with practical solutions.

Neglecting Mobile Responsiveness

Picture this: your customers want to check out your site on their phones, but, oh no, it's not fitting the screen! Let's fix this by making sure your website looks great and works smoothly on any device, big or small. A little tweak here and there can make all the difference!

how to take high quality photos for your website on your phone - blog by Sarah Lynn

We are in an age where mobile devices dominate internet usage, and neglecting to optimise your website for mobile responsiveness can be really detrimental to your online presence. How many times have you browsed a website on your phone only to click away because it's just too hard to use? Failing to adjust your website across the various devices your visitors use can lead to high bounce rates and missed opportunities for customer engagement. To fix this, ensure your website is designed with a mobile-first approach to make it user-friendly whatever device they are using.

Overcomplicating Navigation

Ever been on a website that feels like a maze? You don't want your visitors feeling lost! Let's simplify things by organising your menu in a way that's as easy as finding treats in a well-organised pantry. (Ooh how I'd love a pantry!) The easier it is to find what they're looking for, the more time they'll spend browsing!

Complex website navigation can leave your visitors feeling lost and frustrated, ultimately driving them away from your site. Simplify your navigation by creating clear and intuitive menu structures, making it easy for users to find the information they're looking for with just a few clicks. Implementing a user-friendly navigation system will enhance your overall user experience and encourages your visitors to explore your offerings further.

Lack of Clear Call-to-Actions (CTAs)

Sometimes, our visitors need a little nudge in the right direction. Let's make it super clear what we want them to do. Whether it's to 'Shop Now,' 'Learn More,' or 'Get in Touch,'

Sprinkle those call-to-action buttons like friendly signposts, guiding them to the good stuff!

Orange background with lady in denim dress with hands pointing down towards a "click here" button

Whether it's prompting visitors to make a purchase, subscribe to a newsletter, or contact you for enquiries, strategically placed CTAs guide your users towards your desired actions, enhancing your website's effectiveness. Ensure your CTAs are prominently displayed, visually appealing, and clearly communicate the action you want your visitors to take.

** Top Tip - You may find this blog post helpful - Call To Action Buttons – What They Are & How To Use Them

Slow Loading Speed

Patience is a virtue, but not when it comes to waiting for a website to load! We want to keep our visitors happy and engaged, not tapping their feet. Let's give your site a little boost by making sure it loads faster than a quick morning jog around the block!

There could be many reasons why your website has a slow loading times, such as large image files, unnecessary plugins, or inadequate hosting services, identify these and take the necessary steps to optimise your website's performance. Compress images, minimize HTTP requests, and consider upgrading to a reliable hosting provider to improve your website's loading speed and overall performance.

Ineffective Content and Visuals

We want your website to be a feast for the eyes and the mind! Dull content and lacklustre visuals won't do.

Let's spice things up by offering your visitors some engaging content and eye-catching visuals, like decorating your website with colourful and inviting decorations that make your visitors feel right at home.

5 common website makes small businesses make

As the saying goes "Content is king", and the quality of your website's content and visuals can make or break your online presence. When you don't provide valuable and engaging content  that your ideal audience resonates with it can leave your visitors disinterested and unimpressed.

Invest in creating high-quality, relevant, and visually appealing content that resonates with your target audience. Use engaging visuals, such as images, videos, and infographics, to enhance the overall appeal and effectiveness of your website content.

I use Canva personally for creating visually appealing content and highly recommend it.  It has a free plan so you can try it out and see what you think

Conclusion

By giving these common website mistakes a fix, you're making sure your virtual storefront is as inviting and delightful as your real-life business.

With a mobile-friendly layout, easy navigation, clear call-to-actions, speedy loading times, and engaging content and visuals, you'll be welcoming customers with open arms and keeping them coming back for more.

Let's make your website the warm and welcoming place it's meant to be!

If you need help making these fixes, please do get in touch, I'd love to work with you

I can also offer to complete a Website Review for you and share a step-by-step plan for improving your website.  Just book yours here today by clicking the button below.