10 Website mistakes that are hurting your business (and how to fix them)

Creating your own website for your small business can feel like a great way to save money and take control of your brand. Just make sure you’re not making any costly mistakes that might actually drive potential customers away. Here are 10 common mistakes people make when building their own websites, along with actionable tips to fix them and ultimately help boost your revenue.

1. Not Prioritizing Mobile Optimization

• Mistake: Forgetting that most users access websites on mobile devices.

• Fix: Use responsive design practices that always consider the mobile experience in addition to desktop. Test your site on various devices to ensure a seamless experience.

2. Ignoring SEO Best Practices

• Mistake: Not optimizing content, images, or meta descriptions for search engines.

• Fix: Implement basic SEO practices like keyword research, optimized images, and relevant meta tags to help your site rank better in search results. I’ll be writing a separate blog post on just this topic later!

3. No Social Proof:

• Mistake: Failing to include testimonials, reviews, or case studies can make your business appear less credible. Your people will give you great testimonials if you just ASK! Customers want to see the great results that others have already received from working with you or using your product.

• Fix: Add social proof throughout your website–not just to your homepage! Showcase customer testimonials, display logos of clients or partners and highlight any awards or certifications.

4. Using Inconsistent Branding

• Mistake: Mixing different fonts, colors, or imagery that isn’t cohesive, considered, or that looks like everyone else in your industry.

• Fix: Establish a solid brand identity and stick to it. Consistency in branding builds trust and recognition, making it easier to convert visitors into customers.

5. Poor Navigation

• Mistake: Creating a complicated or cluttered navigation menu.

• Fix: Simplify your navigation with clear, concise categories and pages. Ensure users can find what they’re looking for with a few clicks, improving their overall experience. When visitors get frustrated or confused, they leave!

6. Weak Calls to Action (CTAs)

• Mistake: Having unclear or uninspiring CTAs.

• Fix: Use action-oriented language that clearly tells visitors what you want them to do next, like “Shop Now” or “Learn More.” An alternate approach is using a “call to benefit” instead. This language appeals to the results your product offers and can help people envision a better life from working with you/using your product. Example: “Start your health journey.”

7. Not Showcasing Products or Services Clearly

• Mistake: Burying key offerings in hard-to-find places on the site.

• Fix: Highlight your main products/services and important benefits to your product on the homepage and ensure your offerings are easy to access from the navigation.

8. Neglecting Website Analytics

• Mistake: Not setting up or reviewing analytics to understand site performance.

• Fix: Install Google Analytics or similar tools to track visitor behavior, conversion rates and other key metrics. Use this data to make informed decisions about updates and improvements.

9. Uninspired or Cliche Copywriting

• Mistake: Writing generic or uninspired content that doesn’t resonate with your target audience. Or cliche phrases like “unleash your potential!” that make us all go 🤢

• Fix: Invest time into crafting compelling copy that speaks directly to your audience’s needs and pain points, or hire a pro copywriter if you really want creative words that sell for you. Good copy drives engagement and can significantly increase sales.

10. Not Investing in Professional Photography

• Mistake: Using low-quality or stock photos that feel out of place and distract the eye instead of building that like-know-trust factor and increasing visitors’ emotional connection to your brand.

• Fix: Hire a professional photographer or get super MacGyver-y to take your own photos that align with your brand identity. Professional imagery can dramatically improve the perceived value of your products or services.

Avoiding these common website mistakes can elevate your brand perception and lead to more traffic, better engagement and, ultimately, more sales. Now run and fix any of these mistakes on your own website! 🏃🏼‍♀️ If you're feeling overwhelmed, remember that investing in professional help can actually save you time and money in the long run. And I know a girl who can help! 🙋🏼‍♀️