Top 5 Mistakes Holding Your Website Back (and Easy Ways to Fix Them)
Feeling frustrated with your website? You’re not alone.
So many small business owners and service providers pour time and energy into their site, only to feel like it's not doing anything. It might look nice, but if it’s not helping you attract dream clients, grow your email list, or book inquiries—something’s off.
The good news?
It’s usually not about starting from scratch. More often, it’s a handful of small (but powerful) tweaks that make all the difference.
Let’s walk through the top 5 web design mistakes I see all the time—and the simple ways you can fix them.
Ready to breathe new life into your site? Let’s go.
💡 Want to do a full self-check? Grab my free [Website Audit Checklist] at the end of this post—it’ll help you spot what’s holding your site back.
1. Unclear Messaging
Here’s the truth: People don’t read websites. They scan.
If someone lands on your homepage and can’t quickly figure out what you do, who you help, and why it matters to them, they’ll bounce.
Signs this might be happening:
Your homepage headline is vague or generic
You’re using too much industry jargon
Visitors don’t take any action after landing
Quick Fix:
Craft a clear, benefit-driven headline that answers these three questions:
Who do you serve?
What problem do you solve?
What transformation do you offer?
Example:
“Helping service-based women entrepreneurs build stunning Squarespace websites that attract and convert.”
Follow it up with a strong subheading or CTA that tells them what to do next (book a call, download a freebie, shop templates, etc.).
2. Poor Mobile Experience
Your website might look great on desktop—but over 60% of visitors are viewing it from their phones. If your mobile experience is clunky, hard to navigate, or slow to load, you could be losing leads before they even scroll.
Signs this might be happening:
Text is tiny or hard to read
Buttons are too close together
Your site loads slowly or not at all on mobile
Quick Fix:
Run your site through Google’s Mobile-Friendly Test
On SquareSpace, use the mobile preview tool to adjust font sizes, spacing, and image scale
Simplify mobile navigation—stick to a few core pages and make sure buttons are thumb-friendly
3. No Clear Navigation or User Path
A beautiful site isn’t enough. If your visitors feel confused about where to go or what to do next, they’ll exit without taking action.
Signs this might be happening:
Overwhelming or cluttered menus
Pages that don’t link anywhere
No call-to-actions or next steps
Quick Fix:
Think of your website like a guided tour. What’s the journey you want your ideal client to take?
Keep your main navigation between 3–6 core links
Add buttons or inline CTAs that move visitors forward (e.g., “Start here,” “View services,” “Download the freebie”)
Pro tip: If you offer a freebie, link to it from multiple places—homepage, blog, about page footer, etc.
4. Inconsistent Branding
Your brand is more than your logo—it’s the full experience someone has with your business. When your fonts, colors, tone, or images feel all over the place, your site loses trust and professionalism.
Signs this might be happening:
Different fonts/styles across pages
No consistent color palette or imagery
A generic, copy-paste feel with no real personality
Quick Fix:
Choose 2–3 brand fonts and 2–4 brand colors and stick with them
Use the same tone of voice across your pages (friendly, professional, fun, etc.)
Infuse your personality or values into your visuals and copy
Want help finding your brand personality? Download my [Brand Personality Cheatsheet] for a quick, fun way to define your brand’s voice. (Optional crosslink if using.)
5. No Lead Capture Strategy
If your website isn’t helping you grow your email list, you’re missing out on potential clients and consistent growth. Lead capture turns your website into a business-building machine.
Signs this might be happening:
No email opt-in form or free resource
Visitors leave and never hear from you again
You don’t have a clear way to follow up with interest
Quick Fix:
Add an opt-in form to your homepage, blog, and footer
Offer a free resource that solves a small, specific problem (checklist, mini-guide, audit, quiz, etc.)
If you're not sure where to start, my Website Audit Checklist is a great example—simple, helpful, and valuable for your ideal client.
Let’s Wrap It Up
Don’t let these common mistakes hold you back any longer.
Your website has the power to work with you—not against you—and help you attract aligned clients, grow your list, and show up confidently online.
Start by making one small change today. Then another.
Before you know it, your website will be doing exactly what it was built to do.
✨ Your Next Steps
Grab the Free Website Audit Checklist
This step-by-step guide walks you through your own site so you can identify what’s working—and what’s not.
👉Download the Free Checklist below!
Want Personal Help? Book a Free Mini-Audit Call
Sometimes you need another set of eyes! Book a call with me, and I’ll give you personalized tips on how to improve your site’s clarity, structure, and conversions.
👉 Schedule Your Call here!
Let’s Stay Connected — Join My Weekly Newsletter
If you love practical tips, encouraging words, and web design inspiration that actually moves your business forward, then you’ll love what I send out each week.
Every email is like a friendly coffee chat—filled with resources, updates, and honest support to help you show up confidently online.
👉 Sign Up for the Newsletter and get your dose of clarity + creativity straight to your inbox.
