Your website is often the first impression customers have of your business. But what if it’s working against you? A poorly designed site doesn’t just look bad—it actively pushes potential customers away, damages credibility, and hurts conversions.

Many small businesses unknowingly fall into the same traps, wasting money on a website that doesn’t perform. Here are the four most common website mistakes—and how to fix them before they cost you even more.

1. A Bad First Impression (Ugly, Outdated, or Confusing Design)

Your website needs to do one thing within seconds: build trust. If it’s cluttered, slow, or looks like it was made in 2009, visitors will leave before they even know what you offer.

Fix it:

• Stick to a clean, modern design with a clear visual hierarchy.

• Make navigation simple—customers should find what they need in seconds.

• Ensure your site is mobile-friendly; most visitors are browsing from their phones.

2. No Blog or Articles (Ignoring SEO & Content Marketing)

If you’re not publishing content, you’re invisible on Google. Blog posts, case studies, and guides don’t just help SEO—they establish authority and attract organic traffic.

Fix it:

• Start writing content that answers your customers’ biggest questions.

• Optimize articles with relevant keywords to increase search rankings.

• Repurpose content into social media posts, emails, and videos for maximum impact.

3. Prioritizing Traffic Over Conversions

Getting thousands of visitors is useless if none of them become customers. Many businesses focus on bringing in traffic but fail to optimize for conversions.

Fix it:

• Have clear CTAs (calls to action) on every page—what do you want visitors to do?

• Use landing pages tailored to different customer needs.

• Make your website easy to navigate, with contact forms and purchase options always visible.

4. Hiring the Wrong Web Designer

A bad developer or agency can cost you thousands with a website that looks good but doesn’t function well. Too many small businesses get locked into overpriced, underperforming sites.

Fix it:

• Do your research—ask for case studies, testimonials, and a consultation before hiring.

• Avoid agencies that promise fast, cheap results without a clear strategy.

• Work with someone transparent about what they can and can’t do.

If you’re a business owner who wants a website that actually works, let’s chat. I don’t believe in sugarcoating—I’ll tell you exactly what’s broken and how to fix it.