Your website is your business’s first impression in the digital world—and if it’s serving ‘garage sale chic’ instead of ‘polished powerhouse’? Houston, we have a problem. A clunky, confusing site isn’t just an aesthetic crime; it’s scaring off potential customers. The good news? Most website blunders are easier to fix than assembling IKEA furniture (and way less soul-crushing). Let’s break down five website mistakes holding your business back—and how to fix them so your site works for you, not against you.

Problem 01: Your Website Looks Like It’s Stuck in 2012

If your site still screams “vintage” (and not in a strategic, well-branded way), it’s beyond time for a refresh. Outdated design isn’t just an eyesore—it makes people question whether your business is still operating. It makes them question if you are good at what you do. First impressions matter, and a sleek, modern design that is updated in all the right ways instantly builds trust.

How to Fix It:

• Ditch the clutter. Clean, minimalist layouts with clear navigation are your best friend.
• Update your color palette and fonts as needed in order to attract your ideal client/customer/subscriber/reader. This is where a lot of business owners get it wrong. Your brand is not about you and the design surrounding it is not about what you like. It should be all about who you are speaking to and working to attract.
• Ensure your site is mobile-friendly. (Seriously, over 60% of web traffic is from phones. No one wants to pinch and zoom.)

Problem 02: You’re Talking About Yourself Too Much

This is going to be a harsh truth, but here goes: Your visitors don’t care about your entire life story. They want to know how you can solve their problems. If your homepage reads like an autobiography, you’re losing potential clients.

How to Fix It:

• Make your messaging client-centered—talk less about what you do and more about how it helps them.

• Use clear, benefit-driven headlines. For example: “Eco-Friendly Cleaning Services That Save You Time (and the Planet)”

• Add testimonials—because people trust other people more than your marketing jargon.

Problem 03: Your Call-To-Action is MIA

If visitors have to use a map to find your contact info or book your services, they’ll leave faster than you can say ‘lost sale’.

How to Fix It:

• Position your call-to-action (CTA) buttons where they will make the most impact—right after you’ve given your audience value within your copy.

• Use clear, action-oriented language. “Book Your Free Consultation” is way better than a vague “Learn More”.

• Sprinkle CTAs throughout your site—don’t make visitors scroll endlessly to find their next step.

Problem 04: Slow Load Times = Lost Sales

Patience is not a virtue on the internet. If your site takes longer than three seconds to load, most people are already hitting the back button. And slow load times aren’t just annoying—they’re also terrible for SEO, meaning fewer people are even finding your site.

How to Fix It:

• Optimize your images—large, uncompressed files are usually the main culprit. Utilizing a tool like Tinyjpg.com is a super helpful (and free) tool for this area.

• Use a reputable hosting provider with fast servers—cheap hosting is not your friend here. (Another reason why we work exclusively with the ShowIt platform for all of our client’s websites).

• Clean up unnecessary backend clutter and let browsers save parts of your site, so it loads faster next time.

Problem 05: Your Branding is Inconsistent (or Nonexistent)

If your website feels like a random mix of fonts, colors, and messaging, it’s confusing and confusion? It doesn’t convert. If you have been in business for a while and haven’t regularly maintained your online presence or haven’t properly rebranded as needed over the years, this might be what you are feeling right now. The new has been pieced together with the old and it isn’t doing you any favors. Consistent branding builds recognition and trust, making it easier for people to remember (and buy from) you.

How to Fix It:

• Stick to a cohesive color palette and a limited set of fonts across your site.

• Align your tone of voice with your brand personality—whether that’s polished, playful, or somewhere in between.

• Ensure your logo, imagery, and messaging are consistent on every single page.

Are you ready to stop leaving money on the table?

Your website should be your hardest-working employee—not the office slacker flapping their jacks in the break room. If any of these mistakes sound painfully familiar, it’s time for a fix.

If you need expert guidance to identify your next best step—or if you’re working with a smaller budget but want to squeeze the most value out of every dollar, our Brand & Website Audits are the perfect option. Clear, actionable fixes with Kara to help your brand and website work harder for you.

And if you know you’re ready to go all-in and take your brand to the next level, reach out and let’s discuss our full-service branding and website design.

Either way, we’ve got you covered. Because a well-designed website isn’t just pretty—it’s profitable. Let’s make yours work smarter, not harder.