8 Mistakes That Are Costing You Money (And How to Fix Them)

Let me guess – you’re here because your small business website isn’t bringing in the stampede of customers you were hoping for. Wondering where did the web design for your small biz go wrong? Feeling stumped why your competitor’s “uglier” website is outperforming yours, or why your new site isn’t converting visitors into customers? As a web designer and copywriter committed to helping small biz owners thrive online -I can tell you: you’re not alone. I’ve seen it all – the good, the bad, and the “my-nephew-built-this-website.” Today, I’m sharing the most common web design mistakes that are costing small businesses like yours big money (and the practical fixes for them that won’t break the bank).

1. Your Small Business Website Looks Like a Digital Hoarder’s Paradise

You know that friend who has 47 throw pillows on their couch? Some websites are the digital equivalent. They’re cramming every service, testimonial, and company update onto their homepage because they figure more is better, right? Wrong

How to Fix It:

• Embrace white space like it’s your new best friend (trust me, it is)
• Pick ONE primary action you want visitors to take per page – and make sure that the page leads visitors to that action
• Unless you’re going for a maximalist design – don’t go overboard on colors or fonts. Stick with a color palette of 4-5 colors (some of which are neutral) and 3 fonts max. 
• Do an audit -if your content sparks joy, keep it. If not, thank it for its service and let it go (Marie Kondo would be proud). Your business evolves with time – and so should your website. 

2. Your Mobile Web Design is an Afterthought

According to DataReportal, over 92% of internet users access the internet via their mobile device. What’s more, when it comes to local SEO – 88% of “near me” searches are done from a mobile device. So if you’re still settling for a mobile version of your website that’s “good enough” – you’re losing clients (and dollars).

How to Fix It:

• Adopt a mobile-first mindset – design for phones first, desktops second
• Test your site on multiple devices (yes, even that ancient iPad your mom still uses)
• Make buttons big enough for human fingers
• Use a platform that gives you complete freedom to design the mobile version separately from the desktop version (one of the number one things I love about Showit)

3. Your Website Loads Slower than the Days of Dial Up

When it comes to web design for small business sites, speed can make or break your success. Studies show that 40% of people abandon a website that takes more than 3 seconds to load.

How to Fix It:

• Optimize those images! (Your 4K product photos might be gorgeous but they’re slowing you down). Photos should be jpg and ideally under 500 kb (depending on how you’re using them). I like to use tinyjpg.com to compress images without compromising quality
• Clean up your plugin collection – you don’t need five different social media widgets
• Invest in good hosting – that $2/month hosting plan isn’t doing you any favors
• Run a speed test (PageSpeed Insights is a great free tool for this)

4. Your Navigation Makes Website Visitors Work Too Hard

Web design is more than just aesthetics – it should also focus on intuitive navigation that organically guides visitors to take action. You want visitors to stay on your site as long as possible – and if you make it hard or confusing to navigate around, they’re likely to jump ship before they’ve gotten to the target page (to buy, subscribe, book, inquire, etc.)

How to Fix It:

• Stick to standard navigation patterns – now is not the time to reinvent the wheel.
• Know your target audience -some age groups want a simple menu that is visible – and don’t know what “those three lines” mean. 
• Limit main menu items to 7 or fewer
• Use clear, simple language (no “Solutions” when you mean “Services”)
• Consider adding a search bar – some people just want to type what they need

5. Your CTAs are Calling…No One

70% of small businesses fail to have a clear CTA (call to action) on their homepage. In web design for small business sites, this is one of the most crucial elements to get right. If you don’t make it super easy for site visitors to know what to do next – they won’t go searching for it – they’ll leave your site for a competitor.

How to Fix It:

• Make buttons look clickable (hint: they should actually look like buttons)
• Use action-oriented text (“Start Your Free Trial” beats “Submit”)
• Choose contrasting colors for important buttons (high contrast is important for accessibility and SEO)
• Place CTAs where they make sense in the user journey

6. Your Website’s Content is Having an Identity Crisis

Outdated blog posts, expired promotions, and contact information from three offices ago – your website shouldn’t feel like a digital time capsule. Like I said before, your web design should evolve with you and reflect where your small business is going – not where it’s been. PS: Miss Google doesn’t like a stagnant site – keep your website up-to-date!

How to Fix It:

• Set up a quarterly content audit (mark your calendar, I mean it)
• Create a content update schedule
• Go back to old blog posts and give them a refresh (you don’t have to always be writing something new)
• Maintain consistent brand voice (if your home page is professional but your blog is full of memes, we need to talk)
• Keep your contact info consistent across all pages

7. You’re Treating SEO Like It’s Optional

“My business is too small to worry about SEO” is one of the biggest myths and misconceptions out there. SEO should influence web design for your small business (and copywriting)! All three are essential for boosting your online presence and attracting your dream clients. 

How to Fix It:

• Write meta descriptions that actually describe your pages
• Use headers logically (H1 is not for making text big) Each page should have only ONE H1
• Add alt text to images (Google can’t see your pictures… yet)
• Include local SEO elements if you serve a specific area
• Use a free tool like Ubersuggest to do keyword research

8. Your Forms Are Longer Than Tax Returns

Nothing kills conversions faster than a contact form that asks for your life story and feels like too much work to submit. Again – keep it simple. If you make it hard for someone to submit your form – they simply won’t do it.

How to Fix It:

• Ask only for essential information
• Break long forms into steps
• Add clear error messages
• Include progress indicators for multi-step forms
• Always confirm submissions (people need closure)

The Path Forward For Your Small Business Website

Here’s the good news: these mistakes are all fixable. Start with the quick wins – optimize those images, declutter your homepage, and make sure your contact information is up to date. Then work your way through the bigger fixes as time and budget allow.

Remember, your website isn’t just a digital business card – it’s your hardest-working employee, running 24/7 to bring you customers. Treat it well, and it’ll return the favor.

Need help implementing these fixes? Sign up for my newsletter to get access to my freebie with more insider’s tips on SEO, web design and copywriting or get in touch today! I offer full service web design and custom copywriting and design packages to meet each small business’ unique needs.

Carrie Bondioli is a Eugene-based web designer and copywriter committed to helping small businesses stop leaving money on the table with strategic, conversion-focused websites.