For many small businesses, a website is the first point of contact with potential customers. It’s your digital storefront, working 24/7 to showcase your brand, products, and services. But while a well-designed website can attract, engage, and convert visitors, common mistakes can drive customers away, hurt your reputation, and even impact your search rankings.
At O’Brien Media, we’ve seen it all—from slow-loading sites to missing contact details. The good news? Most website mistakes are fixable, and making the right improvements can have an immediate impact on your business. Here are five of the most common website mistakes small businesses make—and how you can fix them.
1. Slow Loading Speed: Losing Visitors Before They Even See Your Site
The Mistake:
Did you know that 40% of visitors abandon a website that takes longer than 3 seconds to load? Slow load times are one of the biggest culprits behind high bounce rates—when visitors leave your site without taking any action.
Why It’s a Problem:
- Frustrates users and drives them to competitors
- Lowers your Google search ranking (Google prioritises fast websites)
- Reduces conversions—because if visitors don’t wait, they don’t buy
How to Fix It:
- Optimise images – Large images slow down your site. Use compressed formats like WebP or JPEG.
- Use a quality hosting provider – Cheap hosting can slow your website down. A managed hosting service (like what we offer at O’Brien Media) ensures fast performance.
- Enable caching – This helps store parts of your website in a visitor’s browser, reducing load times on repeat visits.
- Minimise plugins – Too many plugins, especially on WordPress, can slow things down. Remove unnecessary ones.
💡 Pro Tip: Not sure how fast your site is? Use Google PageSpeed Insights to test your speed and get improvement suggestions.
2. No Clear Call-to-Action (CTA): Visitors Don’t Know What to Do Next
The Mistake:
A visitor lands on your site. They browse a bit. And then… they leave. Why? Because they weren’t guided to take action. If your website lacks clear call-to-action buttons, you’re missing out on potential leads and sales.
Why It’s a Problem:
- Visitors don’t know how to contact you, buy, or book a service
- You’re relying on them to take the next step (which they probably won’t)
- Lower conversion rates = lost business opportunities
How to Fix It:
- Use clear, action-driven language – Instead of “Submit”, try “Get Your Free Quote” or “Book a Call Today”.
- Make CTAs stand out – Use bold colours, buttons, and contrasting text to draw attention.
- Place CTAs strategically – Every key page (homepage, service pages, blogs) should have a clear next step for visitors.
💡 Pro Tip: The best websites have a CTA above the fold—meaning visitors see it without scrolling.
3. Poor Mobile Experience: Losing Half of Your Visitors
The Mistake:
More than 60% of website traffic comes from mobile devices, yet many small businesses still have websites that look great on desktops but fall apart on mobile.
Why It’s a Problem:
- Hard-to-read text, broken layouts, and unclickable buttons frustrate users
- Google ranks mobile-friendly sites higher in search results
- If visitors struggle to use your site on mobile, they’ll leave and never return
How to Fix It:
- Use a responsive website design – Your site should automatically adjust to different screen sizes.
- Test on multiple devices – Open your website on different phones and tablets to check usability.
- Prioritise mobile speed – Mobile users expect even faster load times than desktop users.
💡 Pro Tip: Use Google’s Mobile-Friendly Test (test here) to check if your site is optimised for mobile.
4. Missing or Hard-to-Find Contact Information
The Mistake:
If a potential customer wants to contact you but struggles to find your phone number, email, or location, you’re likely losing business.
Why It’s a Problem:
- Reduces trust and credibility—a business without contact details can seem unprofessional
- Frustrates visitors who are ready to reach out but can’t find how
- Leads to lost sales and missed opportunities
How to Fix It:
- Put contact details in the header/footer – Your phone number and email should be easy to find on every page.
- Create a dedicated ‘Contact Us’ page – Include multiple contact options, business hours, and a map (if applicable).
- Add a click-to-call button on mobile – Make it effortless for mobile users to call you.
💡 Pro Tip: If you use WhatsApp or live chat, integrate them into your site for instant communication.
5. Outdated Content: A Website That Looks Neglected
The Mistake:
If your website still has a blog post from 2018 as the latest update, or outdated services and pricing, visitors may assume your business is inactive or unreliable.
Why It’s a Problem:
- Hurts credibility—customers expect fresh, relevant content
- Outdated information can mislead visitors and damage trust
- Google prioritises sites with regularly updated content
How to Fix It:
- Update your blog and news section – Even posting once a month can keep your site looking fresh.
- Check service pages and pricing – Make sure everything is up-to-date.
- Review and refresh images and testimonials – A modern look makes a big difference.
💡 Pro Tip: Set a reminder to review your website every 3-6 months to keep it current.
Final Thoughts: Small Fixes, Big Impact
A well-optimised website can attract more visitors, convert more customers, and boost your business’s credibility. The mistakes we’ve covered are common, but they’re also easy to fix—and doing so can make a massive difference in how potential customers perceive and engage with your business.
🚀 Need help optimising your website? At O’Brien Media, we specialise in website design, SEO, and website support for small businesses. Whether you need a site refresh or a complete redesign, we’ve got you covered.
👉 Get a free estimate today! Use our Instant Estimate Generator or contact us to discuss your website needs.
A great website isn’t just about looking good—it’s about growing your business. Let’s make yours work for you!