Avoid Small Business Website Mistakes
A website is an integral part of a small business’s online presence. It provides a platform where potential and current customers can access up-to-date information about the company, its offerings, and other key details that need to be accurately shared with the public. Generally, a website is considered a reliable source of information when seeking companies to do business with.
Your website could be the first impression potential customers have of your business. It is crucial to ensure your business makes a strong first impression when someone visits your site, it could be the first time potential customers are learning about your company. A bad first impression will leave a lasting negative impression, and many potential customers will move on.
To ensure your site attracts and retains potential customers, it is essential to keep your site updated, fresh, informative, accurate, and easy to navigate. There are several reasons why bad site designs might deter customers.
Why Do Customers Leave Small Business Websites
Slow Load Times
A fast website improves both the user experience and search engine optimization (SEO). We have all been there; slow websites frustrate users, especially those on mobile devices or with limited data speeds, and they reduce your chances of ranking high on Google search results. Optimizing images, minimizing unnecessary plugins, and utilizing high-quality hosting are all essential for enhancing load times and maintaining visitor engagement.
Moreover, according to Portent, even small increases in load times can affect conversion rates,
“The highest e-commerce conversion rates occur between 1 and 2 seconds, spanning an average of 3.05% e-commerce conversion rate at 1 second, down to a 0.67% e-commerce conversion rate at a 4-second load time. After that, conversion rates are all below 2%.
“In fact, your e-commerce conversion rate decreases by an average of 0.3% for every additional second it takes for your website to load.”
The loss of conversions can directly affect your business’s bottom line.
Not Mobile-Friendly
In today’s world, the majority of people access the internet using their mobile devices. With over 60% of website traffic coming from smartphones and tablets, your website must look and function well on all screen sizes.
According to The Global Statistics. “Smartphones have become the dominant gateway to the internet. As of December 2024, mobile devices accounted for more than 63% of global web page requests—nearly double the 31.79% recorded in 2014.”
If users need to pinch, zoom, or scroll sideways to view content, they are unlikely to stick around and become paying customers. If your website incorporates responsive design, it will look and perform well on any device, enhancing readability, navigation, and overall user satisfaction. Additionally, Google uses mobile-first indexing, meaning your mobile site impacts how your site ranks in search results. This means it is vital to ensure that your small business website performs well across many devices.
Outdated Design
Your website is often your first impression. If you have ever entered a long-standing restaurant that still features décor from 40 years ago, you understand how outdated design can impact the customer experience. An old, cluttered, or obsolete design can make visitors question your professionalism, attention to detail, and credibility. Today’s modern websites employ clean layouts, updated visuals, straightforward typography, and minimal distractions to convey a professional and trustworthy image. A fresh, clean design builds confidence in your brand and keeps visitors engaged, increasing the likelihood that they will contact or purchase from you.
No Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
SEO is crucial in today’s competitive online landscape. The primary reason you want a website for your small business is to increase customer engagement and put your brand in front of potential customers. Without basic SEO, your website remains invisible to potential customers searching for your services online. SEO optimization involves using relevant keywords in headings and content, crafting clear title tags and meta descriptions, optimizing images with alt text, and ensuring your site’s structure is easily crawlable by Google. Without these elements, even the most beautiful website won’t appear in search results, limiting your reach to existing customers instead of attracting new ones. Do not shoot yourself in the foot by ignoring this step.
These are just a sampling of some of the mistakes you need to avoid so you can successfully convert your small business website visitors into paying customers. Studio 7 Web Design specializes in creating websites for small businesses. We also work with clubs, teams, non-profits, and many other industries. If you’re looking for a new website or a refresh of your current one, contact Studio 7 today for your complimentary consultation.
Want a free homepage audit to see where your website stands? Contact us today.
