Is Your Website Losing Customers? 7 Signs to Look For
Your website may look lovely, but is it helping your business or quietly sending potential customers elsewhere?
Most visitors decide whether to stay on a website within a few seconds. If they cannot quickly understand what you offer, find the information they need or work out what to do next, they are likely to leave.
The good news is that you do not need to be a web designer to spot many of the common problems. Here are seven signs that your website could be losing customers and some simple ways to improve it.
1. Your website takes too long to load
We have all clicked on a website and waited…and waited…and waited.
Most people will not hang around for a slow website, especially when they are browsing on their phone. They will simply return to Google and choose another business.
Large images, unnecessary videos and too many website features can all slow your pages down.
A simple fix
Resize large images before uploading them and remove anything your website does not really need. You can also test your website using Google Page Speed Insights to see where improvements could be made.
2. Visitors cannot immediately tell what you do
When someone arrives on your homepage, they should quickly understand:
- What your business offers
- Who your services are for
- Where your business is based
- How you can help them
A clever slogan might sound impressive, but it should not leave visitors wondering what you actually do.
For example, “Helping your business reach new heights” sounds positive, but it does not explain whether you are a marketing consultant, business coach or window cleaner!
A simple fix
Add a clear sentence near the top of your homepage.
For example:
“Friendly, jargon-free digital marketing support for small businesses in Willenhall and the surrounding areas.”
Simple and clear will nearly always beat clever and confusing.
3. Your website is difficult to use on a mobile phone
Many of your customers will visit your website using their phone. If the text is too small, buttons are difficult to press or visitors have to zoom in to read the page, they may quickly give up.
A website that looks great on a computer will not always work well on a smaller screen.
A simple fix
Open your website on your own phone and try to use it as if you were a new customer.
Can you easily:
- Read the text?
- Open the menu?
- Press the buttons?
- Find your contact details?
- Complete an enquiry form?
Ask a friend or family member to test it too. They may notice problems that you have become used to seeing.
4. There is no clear call to action
A call to action tells visitors what you would like them to do next.
Examples include:
- Book an appointment
- Request a free quote
- Call us today
- View our services
- Send an enquiry
- Download the free guide
Without a clear next step, visitors may read your page, think “That sounds interesting” and then leave without contacting you.
A simple fix
Choose one main action for each page and make it easy to spot. Use a clear button and straightforward wording.
“Request your free quote” is much more helpful than a button that simply says “Click here”.
5. Important information is difficult to find
Potential customers usually visit a business website because they want answers.
They may want to know:
- What services do you provide?
- How much does it cost?
- Which areas do you cover?
- What are your opening hours?
- How can they contact you?
- What happens after they make an enquiry?
If this information is missing or hidden away, visitors may choose a competitor who makes the process easier.
A simple fix
Keep your main menu simple and use clear page names such as Services, Prices, About and Contact.
You could also add a Frequently Asked Questions section to answer the questions customers ask you most often.
6. Your website looks out of date
An outdated website can make visitors wonder whether the business is still operating.
Warning signs include:
- Old prices or opening hours
- Broken links
- Outdated photographs
- News sections that have not been updated for years
- Services you no longer provide
- Copyright dates from the distant past
- Contact forms that do not work
Even a small mistake can create doubt and customers are less likely to make an enquiry if they do not trust the information they are reading.
A simple fix
Set aside a little time every few months to check each page. Update your information, test your links and forms, and remove anything that is no longer relevant.
Think of it as giving your website a quick tidy-up rather than a complete makeover.
7. There is no reason for customers to trust you
Before contacting a business, people often look for signs that it is genuine, reliable and able to help them.
A website with no reviews, examples of previous work or information about the people behind the business can feel a little uncertain.
Visitors may like your service but still hesitate to take the next step.
A simple fix
Add trust-building information such as:
- Customer reviews
- Testimonials
- Photographs of your work
- Case studies
- Professional qualifications
- Links to your social media pages
- A friendly About page
- Clear contact and business details
You do not need hundreds of reviews. A few genuine comments from happy customers can make a real difference.
Try the five-second test
Ask someone who is not familiar with your business to look at your homepage for five seconds. Then close the page and ask them:
- What does the business do?
- Who is it for?
- What should a visitor do next?
If they cannot answer those questions, your homepage may need a clearer message.
Small changes can make a big difference
Your website does not need to be complicated or packed with fancy features. It simply needs to help visitors understand your business, trust what they see and take the next step.
Start by checking one area at a time. Improve your main heading, add a clear contact button or test your website on a mobile phone. Even one small change could make it easier for your next visitor to become your next customer.
Not sure what your website is telling your customers?
When you look at your own website regularly, it can be difficult to spot what is not working.
A Digital Avenue Marketing website audit gives you a friendly, honest review of your website, with clear and practical recommendations you can actually understand and use—without confusing jargon or a to-do list the length of the M6!
Ready to find out whether your website is helping or hindering your business?