10 Reasons You’re Embarrassed By Your Website (And How To Fix It).
Your website is essentially your business’s first impression—kind of like a first date. But what if that first impression is less 'wow' and more 'yikes' for both you and your visitors?
It takes just 50 milliseconds (0.05 seconds) for visitors to form an opinion about your website (Sweor). In that blink of an eye, they decide whether to stay or leave. With so many options available online, users are quick to judge and even quicker to move on if your site doesn’t meet their expectations. Whether it’s outdated design, slow load times, or confusing navigation, small website mistakes can cost you big. Let’s dive into 10 common issues and how to fix them.
1. Your Website Feels Stuck in the Past
The Problem: Outdated Design
A poorly designed website can make your business seem outdated and untrustworthy. In fact, 57% of users won’t recommend a business with a bad website (Sweor).
The Fix:
If you’re just starting out, customize a modern website template.
If you’ve been in business for a while, it’s time to invest in a professional web designer to revamp your brand.
2. It’s Taking Forever to Load
The Problem: Poor Performance
The average attention span is just 8.25 seconds (Microsoft). If your website doesn’t load instantly, visitors are bouncing.
The Fix:
Compress images to improve load speed.
Choose a high-quality hosting platform.
Enable browser caching and fix broken links.
3. Your Website Feels Like a Ghost Town
The Problem: Irrelevant or Outdated Content
If your website hasn’t been updated in months (or years), visitors will wonder if you’re even still in business.
The Fix:
Set a monthly reminder to update your portfolio, pricing, and contact information.
Ensure your website messaging aligns with your current social media content.
4. It’s a Branding Nightmare
The Problem: Inconsistent Branding
Mismatched fonts, clashing colors, and chaotic imagery confuse your audience and weaken your brand identity.
The Fix:
Develop a brand style guide with set fonts, colors, and visuals.
Ensure your website aligns with your other marketing materials.
At Certainly Nat, I’ll design a mood board and color palette based on your preferences and help you craft a clear brand message using the StoryBrand framework, ensuring your website speaks directly to your ideal audience, building trust and connection.
5. Users Can’t Find What They Need
The Problem: Poor Navigation
If customers can’t easily find what you do, who you do it for, and how to contact you, they’ll leave.
The Fix:
Clearly state your business purpose at the top of your homepage.
Simplify your menu and optimize for mobile users.
Follow accessibility standards for a seamless experience.
6. You’re Not Optimized for Mobile
The Problem: Non-Mobile-Friendly Design
Over 58% of all web traffic now comes from mobile devices (Statista). If your site isn’t optimized, you’re frustrating more than half of your visitors.
The Fix:
Use a responsive design that adjusts to any screen size.
Test your site’s mobile usability regularly.
7. Your Call-to-Actions Are Weak
The Problem: Lack of Clear Next Steps
If your visitors don’t know what to do next, they’ll leave. Simple as that.
The Fix:
Use strong, action-driven buttons like “Transform your life—begin today.” or “Ready in minutes—sign up today.”
Place CTAs prominently throughout your site.
See the blog post Surprisingly Simple CTAs That Convert: 50 Must-Try Examples for Your Website for more inspiration.
8. Your SEO is Non-existent
The Problem: No One Can Find You on Google
If you’re not ranking on search engines, you’re missing potential traffic and leads.
The Fix:
Optimize your site for keywords relevant to your business.
Use meta descriptions and alt text for images.
See the blog post How to SEO your website - Checklist for On-Page SEO for more guidance.
9. Your Website Lacks Trust Signals
The Problem: No Social Proof or Testimonials
Visitors need reassurance that your business is credible and reliable.
The Fix:
Add testimonials, reviews, or case studies to your site.
Display trust badges, certifications, and partnerships.
10. It’s Not Designed for Conversions
The Problem: No Strategy Behind the Design
If your website isn’t strategically guiding visitors toward taking action, it’s just an online brochure.
The Fix:
Implement StoryBrand messaging to engage visitors.
Design pages with a clear customer journey in mind.
Ready to upgrade your website & elevate your online presence?
A website upgrade shouldn’t feel overwhelming. That’s why our bold, story-driven Squarespace templates are built to blend beauty with strategy—so your site not only looks incredible but converts visitors into clients on any device. With streamlined customization and proven best practices, launching your dream website becomes simple, seamless, and smart.
About Your Blogger, Certainly Nat
I know how overwhelming a website redesign can feel. That’s why I tell your Brand Story using Squarespace so you have a website that reflect your brand’s success while keeping the process smooth and stress-free. With a clear, streamlined design process, I’ll help you build a stunning site that looks great and drives business growth.