Top 10 Web Design Mistakes Small Businesses Make (and How to Avoid Them)
If your website is the digital front door to your business, design mistakes are like loose hinges and a squeaky sign. The good news? Most problems are fixable with a few focused changes. Below we cover the ten most common issues we see on small business websites—and exactly how to resolve them.
1) Not Mobile-Friendly
More than half of all visits come from phones. Tiny text, cramped buttons, and horizontal scrolling push people away—and can hurt your Google visibility.
- Fix:
Adopt a responsive layout that adapts to mobile, tablet, and desktop.
- Touch targets:
Ensure buttons are large enough and well spaced on mobile.
- Quick check:
Open key pages on your phone and test forms, menus, and CTAs.
2) Slow Page Speed
Visitors expect instant responses. Every second of delay increases bounce rate and lowers conversions.
- Fix images:
Compress, resize, and serve modern formats like WebP.
- Reduce weight:
Minify CSS/JS, defer non-critical scripts, and remove unused plugins.
- Caching & CDN:
Enable caching and use a CDN to serve assets faster.
3) Confusing Navigation
If people can’t find what they need within a couple of clicks, they’ll leave. Overly complex menus and vague labels are the usual culprits.
- Keep it simple:
Use clear labels (e.g., “Services”, “About”, “Contact”). Limit deep dropdowns.
- Show the path:
Add breadcrumbs and a visible “Contact” in the main nav.
- Search (if large):
Include a site search for extensive content libraries.
4) Outdated Design
Old visuals and clutter signal neglect. Even strong services can feel less credible if the site looks dated.
- Modernise:
Use clean layouts, generous white space, and consistent typography.
- Secure it:
Serve the site over HTTPS and fix broken links.
- Refresh cadence:
Plan a visual refresh roughly every 3–4 years.
5) Weak or Missing Calls-to-Action
If you don’t tell visitors what to do next, they’ll do nothing. CTAs guide customers to contact, book, or buy.
- Be specific:
“Get a Free Quote”, “Book a Consultation”, “Start Your Project”.
- Visible:
Place CTAs above the fold, mid-page, and at section ends.
- Contrast:
Use clear, high-contrast buttons so CTAs stand out.
6) Poor Local SEO Setup
For small businesses, nearby customers are crucial. Without local optimisation, you’ll miss “near me” searches and map results.
- On-page:
Include location keywords (e.g., “web design in Swindon”) naturally in headings and copy.
- Google Business Profile:
Keep hours, categories, and services accurate. Add photos and collect reviews.
- Citations:
Ensure consistent name, address, phone (NAP) across directories.
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Read More →7) Over-Reliance on Generic Stock Photos
Stock can fill gaps, but too much looks inauthentic. Real images build trust and lift conversions.
- Use the real thing:
Show your team, workspace, and real projects.
- Case studies:
Pair photos with testimonials and measurable outcomes.
- Brand style:
Keep a consistent colour and imagery style across pages.
8) Ignoring Accessibility
Accessibility ensures everyone can use your site—and improves usability for all visitors.
- Readable:
Use sufficient colour contrast and comfortable font sizes.
- Describe media:
Add descriptive alt text and captions where needed.
- Keyboard-friendly:
Ensure navigation works without a mouse.
9) Thin, Outdated, or Unfocused Content
Short, generic pages rarely rank—or persuade. Depth, clarity, and structure win.
- Page purpose:
Give each page a single, clear intent (informational, commercial, transactional).
- Depth & structure:
Use H2s/H3s, FAQs, internal links, and a strong CTA.
- Proof:
Add expertise signals: author info, case studies, testimonials.
10) Not Tracking Performance
Without measurement, improvements are guesswork.
- Analytics:
Install GA4 and monitor conversions, top pages, and traffic sources.
- Search Console:
Track queries, fix indexing issues, and improve CTR.
- Improve iteratively:
Review monthly and ship small fixes continuously.
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Read More →Quick Diagnostics Checklist
Is each key page mobile-friendly and fast?
Do headings and copy match the searcher’s intent?
Are Core Web Vitals passing?
Is there a clear CTA above the fold and at logical points?
Do internal links connect related pages and blogs?
Is your Google Business Profile complete and active?
Are you tracking rankings, conversions, and behaviour?
Conclusion
A handful of practical improvements—mobile responsiveness, faster load times, clear navigation, authentic content, accessibility, and a focus on local SEO—can transform performance. If you’d like help prioritising what to fix first, we’re here.
Ready to improve your site? Get in touch and let’s plan the quickest wins.