You’d think by 2025 most small business websites would be dialed in. But every week, we still see local sites with design issues that kill credibility, scare off leads, and leave money on the table.
This post breaks down the most common website design mistakes small businesses make — and what to do instead if you want a site that not only looks good, but actually works.
1. No Clear Headline Above the Fold
Your homepage should instantly tell visitors:
- Who you are
- What you do
- Where you do it
If someone has to scroll or guess, you’ve already lost them. No one sticks around to solve the mystery.
Fix it: Write a bold, simple headline right at the top. Make it benefit-driven, not “Welcome to our site.”
2. Overloading the Navigation
Too many links in your menu = decision fatigue. When everything is important, nothing is.
Fix it: Keep your top nav to 5–6 key items max. Use dropdowns for extras, and prioritize clarity over cleverness.
3. No Obvious Call to Action (CTA)
You want people to book a service, call you, request a quote… but your website never actually tells them to do that?
Fix it: Add a high-contrast CTA button in the header, and repeat it after key sections. Use clear text like “Book a Free Call” or “Request a Quote.”
4. Poor Mobile Experience
If your site still pinches, zooms, or stacks awkwardly on a phone — you’re bleeding traffic. Over 60% of web visitors are on mobile.
Fix it: Use responsive layouts, big buttons, mobile-friendly fonts, and test every page on your phone.
5. Text That’s Hard to Read
Gray-on-white. Tiny fonts. Paragraphs with no breaks. It’s a headache waiting to happen.
Fix it: Use at least 16px body text. Choose dark-on-light contrast. Break long paragraphs. Give things breathing room.
6. Stock Photos That Scream “Fake”
You know the ones — cheesy handshakes, overly perfect smiles, generic office shots. They’re everywhere… and totally forgettable.
Fix it: Use real images of your team, your work, your space. Authenticity builds trust faster than perfect lighting.
7. Sliders and Carousels
You want to show everything. But sliders are slow, get ignored, and push your message out of focus.
Fix it: Pick one clear value prop and build a strong hero section around it. Static converts better than spinning.
8. Slow Loading Speed
If your site takes more than 3 seconds to load, most people are gone. Google knows it. So do your visitors.
Fix it:
- Compress images (WebP)
- Use caching and CDN
- Choose better hosting (ditch the cheap plan)
9. No Social Proof
You may be great at what you do — but no one believes it until they see proof. Testimonials, reviews, client logos… show them.
Fix it: Add testimonials with real names and photos. Show before/afters, ratings, case studies — anything that backs up your claims.
10. Ignoring SEO Basics
A beautifully designed site that gets zero traffic is a beautiful waste of money. SEO isn’t just content — it’s structure.
Fix it:
- Use proper title tags and meta descriptions
- Include keywords in headers, image alt tags, and URLs
- Link internally between relevant pages
