Your website often gives potential customers the first impression of your business. If it is clunky, confusing, or outdated, you may be losing sales without even realizing it. The good news? These problems are fixable. Here are the most common small business website mistakes and how to solve them.
Your Website Is Not Mobile-Friendly
According to Statista, over 58% of global web traffic comes from mobile devices (source). Users will bounce if your site is hard to navigate on a phone or takes too long to load.
Tip: Use Google’s Mobile-Friendly Test to see how your site performs. If it fails, it is time to update your design.
Your Website Is Not Mobile-Friendly
According to Statista, over 58% of global web traffic comes from mobile devices (source). Users will bounce if your site is hard to navigate on a phone or takes too long to load.
Tip: Use Google’s Mobile-Friendly Test to see how your site performs. If it fails, it is time to update your design.
Your Site Loads Too Slowly
Speed matters. Google research shows that if a page takes longer than 3 seconds to load, more than half of mobile users will leave (source).
Solution: Compress images, reduce unnecessary scripts, and consider moving to a faster hosting provider.
It Is Not Clear What You Do
Visitors should immediately understand who you are, what you offer, and why they should care. This small business website mistake results in missing conversions if your homepage is cluttered or full of vague messaging.
Solution: Use a clear headline and call-to-action. Make sure your services are front and center. Need help refining your message? Busy Otter Marketing can assist with strategy and content development.
There Are No Calls to Action
You might be getting traffic, but are you guiding users to take the next step?
Fix: Add buttons that prompt action like “Get a Quote,” “Schedule a Call,” or “Start Your Free Trial.” These should appear throughout your site, not just once on the homepage.
You Are Ignoring SEO Basics
You are invisible to new customers if your website cannot be found on search engines.
Solution: Start with foundational SEO. Optimize title tags, use keywords, and create relevant content. Check out our guide to local SEO for tips specific to small businesses.
A small website mistake can have a big impact. The good news is, once you know what to fix, the path forward becomes clear. If you need support, Busy Otter Marketing specializes in building websites that work for you and your customers.
Track Record
Track record matters, but do not just scan a list of past clients and results. Look for case studies that explain the problem, the approach, and the outcome. A growth-minded partner will share both successes and lessons learned. Those insights demonstrate a commitment to continuous optimization and a willingness to adapt. You can find examples of our thinking and results on our blog page.
Another sign of a true partner is proactive communication. Instead of waiting for your end-of-month report, they check in with fresh ideas based on real-time performance. Before you ask, they suggest A-B tests, content refreshes, or ad creative tweaks. That proactive mindset turns your partnership into a growth engine that pushes your brand ahead of the pack.
Pricing Model
Pricing models can be confusing, so do not let flashy numbers distract you from what matters. A partner will align incentives so that your success means their success. They ensure you understand the deliverables, the timeline, and the expected results upfront. When you feel confident about the investment, you can focus on the impact rather than the invoice.
Digital Marketing Partner
Choosing a digital marketing partner is a lot like picking a teammate for a relay race. You want someone reliable, skilled, and ready to hand off the baton at the right moment so you can sprint ahead. At Busy Otter Marketing, we swim against the current to deliver relationship-driven strategies that scale with your business. Ready to find your perfect partner? Schedule your free consultation today and let’s find out if Busy Otter is the right fit for your business.
