Website Mistakes

Avoid These 10 Website Mistakes

authorSoh May 5, 2024

Most small businesses focus heavily on marketing but often overlook critical website issues that hinder lead generation and sales. Instead of spending more on ads, fixing these common website mistakes can turn your site into a powerful client magnet. Here’s how to identify and fix these issues for better user experience, higher engagement, and increased conversions.

Mistake #1: Using Complex Business Jargon

The Problem:

Many business websites use overly technical or formal language that confuses visitors. Complicated jargon makes it harder for potential clients to understand what you offer—if they don’t understand, they won’t buy.

The Fix:

Use clear, simple language that speaks directly to your audience.
✅ Good Example: “We help you make more money.”
❌ Bad Example: “We offer comprehensive revenue enhancement solutions.”

How to Improve:

  • Use conversational language like you’re speaking to a real person.
  • Break down technical terms into easy-to-understand explanations.
  • Write as if explaining your service to a 10-year-old—if a child can understand, so can your customers.

Mistake #2: Overloading Your Menu

The Problem:

A cluttered navigation menu overwhelms visitors, making it hard to find the most important pages. Too many options create decision fatigue, leading to frustration and site abandonment.

The Fix:

Simplify your website’s menu to only include essential pages.
✅ Good Example: Home | About | Services | Contact
❌ Bad Example: Home | About | Our Mission | Team | Services | Packages | Blog | Testimonials | FAQs | Contact

How to Improve:

  • Keep your main navigation to 5-7 essential links.
  • Move less important pages to the footer, like terms & conditions, privacy policies, or FAQs.
  • Use drop-down menus sparingly—only when necessary.

Mistake #3: Listing Features Instead of Benefits

The Problem:

Many websites focus on what they offer (features) rather than how it helps customers (benefits). Customers don’t care about what your product or service does—they care about how it makes their life easier.

The Fix:

Highlight the benefits of your product/service instead of just listing features.
✅ Good Example: “Save hours each week with our automated bookkeeping service.”
❌ Bad Example: “Our software includes AI-powered financial tracking.”

How to Improve:

  • Ask yourself: “How does this improve my customer’s life?”
  • Turn features into benefits using the “So what?” technique. Example:
    • Feature: “We offer 24/7 customer support.”
    • So what? → “You’ll always have expert help, no matter the time of day.”
  • Use storytelling to show real-life benefits.

Mistake #4: Unclear Call-to-Actions (CTAs)

The Problem:

Vague or weak CTAs confuse visitors. If they don’t know what to do next, they won’t take action.

The Fix:

Make CTAs clear, direct, and action-oriented.
✅ Good Example: “Book a Free Consultation”
❌ Bad Example: “Unleash Your Potential”

How to Improve:

  • Use strong action verbs like “Get Started,” “Claim Your Free Trial,” or “Download Now.”
  • Make CTAs specific (e.g., “Get Your Free SEO Report” instead of “Learn More”).
  • Use contrasting colors so the CTA button stands out.

Mistake #5: Walls of Text

The Problem:

Long paragraphs without breaks make content hard to read, leading to high bounce rates. Online readers skim content, so big text blocks push them away.

The Fix:

Make text scannable and easy to digest.
✅ Good Example:
✔ Short paragraphs
✔ Bullet points
✔ Headings & subheadings
❌ Bad Example: Long blocks of text without breaks

How to Improve:

  • Use bullet points for key information.
  • Break text into short paragraphs (2-3 sentences max).
  • Use images, bold text, and headings to improve readability.

Mistake #6: Lack of Human Touch

The Problem:

A faceless, impersonal website doesn’t build trust. Customers want to connect with real people, not just a business logo.

The Fix:

Add personal touches to make your business feel human.
✅ Good Example: A friendly “Meet Our Team” page with real photos.
❌ Bad Example: A cold, corporate-sounding website with no faces or personality.

How to Improve:

  • Use real team photos instead of generic stock images.
  • Tell your business story on the “About Us” page to build an emotional connection.
  • Show customer testimonials with real names and photos.

Mistake #7: Unrealistic or Overused Stock Images

The Problem:

Stock images that look staged or generic make websites feel fake and untrustworthy. Customers can spot inauthentic visuals from a mile away.

The Fix:

Use genuine, high-quality photos.
✅ Good Example: Real photos of your team, workspace, or product in action.
❌ Bad Example: Overused stock images of people shaking hands in suits.

How to Improve:

  • Hire a photographer to take professional photos of your business.
  • Use customer-generated content (photos from happy clients).
  • If you must use stock images, choose high-quality, natural-looking ones.

Mistake #8: No Lead Magnet

The Problem:

Visitors leave without taking action because there’s no incentive to stay connected.

The Fix:

Offer a valuable freebie (lead magnet) in exchange for their email.
✅ Good Example: “Download our Free Guide: 10 Ways to Get More Clients”
❌ Bad Example: “Sign Up for Our Newsletter” (too generic)

How to Improve:

  • Offer a free checklist, eBook, or discount.
  • Make it instantly downloadable to give immediate value.
  • Promote it with a strong CTA: “Get Your Free Guide Now.”

Mistake #9: Complicated Contact Forms

The Problem:

Forms with too many fields discourage visitors from reaching out.

The Fix:

Keep it short and simple.
✅ Good Example: Name, Email, Message
❌ Bad Example: Name, Email, Phone, Address, Business Name, Industry, Budget, How You Found Us...

How to Improve:

  • Limit forms to 3 fields max (Name, Email, Message).
  • Use Calendly or booking tools for easy appointment scheduling.
  • Make the form mobile-friendly.

Mistake #10: Ineffective Hero Section

The Problem:

The hero section (top of homepage) is the first thing visitors see. If it’s unclear or vague, they won’t stay.

The Fix:

Clearly state:
✅ What you do
✅ How it benefits the visitor
✅ What action to take next

✅ Good Example: “Custom Websites That Grow Your Business. Get a Free Quote Today.”
❌ Bad Example: “Innovation. Solutions. Success.” (too vague)

Conclusion

Fixing these website mistakes will increase leads, improve user experience, and boost conversions. You don’t need fancy marketing tricks—just a website that makes sense, builds trust, and guides visitors to action.