Most website problems aren’t dramatic. The site loads, nothing is obviously broken, and it looks reasonable. But small issues add up, and each one gives a visitor a reason to leave. Here are ten we see over and over again.
1. Hiding the phone number
If someone wants to call you, they shouldn’t have to look for the number. Put it in the header, make it tappable on phones, and repeat it in the footer.
2. Talking about yourself instead of the customer
“We were founded in… we pride ourselves on… our mission is…” Visitors care about their problem first. Lead with what you can do for them, then tell your story.
3. Using obvious stock photos
A smiling model in a headset doesn’t convince anyone. Real photos of you, your team, your premises and your work, even if they’re taken on a decent phone, build far more trust.
4. No prices or guidance on cost
You don’t have to publish a full price list, but giving no indication at all makes people nervous. “Most jobs fall between X and Y” or “from X” helps the right customers feel comfortable getting in touch.
5. Slow loading pages
Oversized images, too many plugins and cheap hosting all slow a site down. Every extra second of waiting loses some visitors, especially on mobile.
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See what’s included →6. A contact form that doesn’t work
It happens more than you’d think: a form that sends messages nowhere, or straight into a spam folder. Test yours regularly by sending yourself a message.
7. Out-of-date information
Old hours, discontinued services, staff who left years ago, a copyright year from the last decade. It all makes visitors wonder whether you’re still in business.
8. Walls of text
Long paragraphs are hard to read, especially on a phone. Use short paragraphs, clear headings and bullet points so people can scan for what they need.
9. No reviews or proof
If you have happy customers, show them. A few genuine testimonials do more than any amount of self-description.
10. No security padlock
If your site doesn’t use a secure connection, many browsers display a “Not secure” warning. That’s enough to put off a lot of visitors, particularly on any page with a form.
A simple habit: once every few months, visit your own site as if you were a new customer. Try to find what you offer, check a price and send an enquiry. You’ll spot most of these issues in ten minutes.
The bottom line
None of these mistakes are expensive to fix, but together they can quietly cost you a lot of work. Make it easy to contact you, show real proof, keep things current and fast, and your site will do its job.