Your website is one of the most powerful business tools you have — but only if it’s working properly. Sadly, many small businesses unknowingly sabotage their online presence with common mistakes that turn visitors away, hurt SEO, and cost them money.
The good news? Most of these issues are totally fixable. You just need to know what to look for.
Here’s our list of the most common website mistakes we see (and how to fix them). Consider it your website health checklist.
1. No Clear Call to Action (CTA)
Mistake: Visitors land on your site and think, “Now what?” There’s no obvious next step.
Fix it:
Add a strong CTA on every page (“Book a call”, “Request a quote”, “Shop now”)
Keep it above the fold and repeat it throughout longer pages
Use action-based language
Bonus tip: Include a lower-friction CTA too — like “See our pricing” or “View work”.
2. Slow Load Times
Mistake: Your site takes forever to load, especially on mobile. Visitors bounce before it even finishes.
Fix it:
Compress images and videos
Use caching (LiteSpeed or similar)
Choose quality hosting
Remove unused plugins or scripts
Use tools like PageSpeed Insights or GTmetrix to test performance.
3. Not Mobile-Friendly
Mistake: The site looks fine on desktop… but terrible on phones.
Fix it:
Use responsive design (not separate mobile sites)
Check all key pages on mobile and tablet
Prioritise tap-friendly buttons and legible text
With over 60% of traffic coming from mobile, this is non-negotiable.
4. Outdated or Inaccurate Content
Mistake: Old services, wrong prices, past staff members — all still live.
Fix it:
Review your content quarterly
Update pricing, services, and team info as needed
Set calendar reminders to check regularly
Outdated info kills trust fast.
5. Poor Navigation
Mistake: Users can’t find what they need. Menus are confusing, or content is buried.
Fix it:
Keep menus simple and intuitive
Use clear labels (no jargon like “solutions” or “synergy”)
Add internal links to guide people through your site
Every click should move a visitor closer to their goal.
6. Lack of Social Proof
Mistake: There are no reviews, testimonials, or indicators that others trust you.
Fix it:
Add 1–3 short testimonials to your homepage
Link to Google reviews
Showcase logos of clients or case studies
Even one great review adds credibility. Don’t be shy about showing them off.
7. No Analytics or Tracking
Mistake: You have no idea how people are using your site — or if they’re converting.
Fix it:
Install Google Analytics or a privacy-friendly alternative
Track conversions (form submissions, calls, purchases)
Use this data to improve and test over time
Without data, you’re guessing. With it, you’re growing.
8. Broken Links or Forms
Mistake: Contact forms don’t send, links lead nowhere, buttons don’t work.
Fix it:
Test your site monthly — click every button and link
Use a tool like Broken Link Check
Check form submissions and notifications regularly
These small breaks cause big frustration (and missed leads).
9. Weak SEO Foundations
Mistake: No keywords, no meta descriptions, duplicate titles, or missing alt text.
Fix it:
Use an SEO plugin (like RankMath)
Optimise each page for 1 primary keyword
Add alt text to images and H1/H2 headings to structure content
If you’re not showing up on Google, this is where to start.
10. No Personality or Brand Voice
Mistake: The site sounds like a robot wrote it. Or worse — like every other competitor.
Fix it:
Use conversational, clear language
Inject some personality — especially on the About page
Show photos of your team or real work
People connect with people. Make your site feel human.
Bonus: Relying on DIY Platforms Without a Long-Term Plan
Mistake: You built it yourself on Wix/GoDaddy/CrazyDomains and now can’t scale or export it.
Fix it:
If DIY, use open platforms like WordPress
Plan for future upgrades — not just a one-and-done build
Get a professional audit before you invest further
Being budget-conscious is fine. Being stuck is not.
Final Thoughts: Mistakes Are Normal — Ignoring Them Isn’t
We’ve seen all of these issues — sometimes on the same site. The good news? Every one of them is fixable.
Your website should:
Build trust
Convert visitors
Reflect your business in the best light
If it’s not doing that right now, let’s fix it.
📞 Book a free site check-up
💬 Let’s talk through your site together
🌐 bitstreammedia.com.au
