5 Small Business Website Mistakes (and How to Fix Them)

Having a website is essential for any small business, but simply having one isn’t enough. If your site isn’t generating leads or sales, it could be quietly turning visitors away because of a few common pitfalls. The good news? These mistakes are easy to fix.

In this guide, we’ll break down five frequent web design mistakes small businesses make, why they matter, and how to fix them, so your website actually helps your business grow.

1. Not Mobile Friendly

Most people visiting your website are likely doing it on their phones. If your site isn’t mobile friendly, meaning it doesn’t adapt to smaller screens, you’re losing potential customers fast. Pinch-and-zoom frustration is a one-way ticket to a competitor’s site.

Why it’s a problem

A non-responsive website is difficult to use. Buttons are too small, text is unreadable, and navigation feels clunky. Studies show that 57% of users won’t recommend a business with a poorly designed mobile site.

How to fix it

Make sure your site uses responsive design. Modern frameworks (like Astro and Tailwind, which we use at Mapletree Studio) automatically adjust layouts for every device. Test your site on a phone and tablet, if it’s hard to read or navigate, it’s time for a mobile-first redesign. You’ll instantly improve user experience and engagement.

2. Slow Loading Speeds

On the web, speed is everything. If your pages take more than a few seconds to load, visitors will leave before they even see what you offer.

Why it’s a problem

A slow site frustrates users and harms credibility. 53% of mobile visitors abandon a site that takes longer than 3 seconds to load. Slow speeds also hurt your Google rankings. People associate laggy websites with outdated businesses, not exactly confidence-building.

How to fix it

Optimise performance by compressing images, removing unnecessary scripts or plugins, and hosting on fast servers with a global CDN. At Mapletree Studio, we build sites using lightweight frameworks like Astro for lightning-fast load times. Start by running your site through Google PageSpeed Insights to identify bottlenecks, a few quick wins can dramatically improve performance.

3. No Clear Call to Action

When someone lands on your homepage, do they know what to do next? Many small business sites lack a clear call to action, leaving visitors unsure how to engage.

Why it’s a problem

Without clear direction, users drift away. A vague “Welcome to our website” message doesn’t inspire action. Every page should guide users toward one goal, whether that’s calling you, booking a service, or requesting a quote.

How to fix it

Decide on your primary goal and make it obvious. If you want people to get in touch, feature a bright “Get a Free Quote” button above the fold. Use concise headlines like “Modern Web Design for Derby Businesses” to clarify what you offer. A clear message and a strong CTA can turn browsers into buyers.

4. Cluttered Design and Poor UX

Cramming too much information on your homepage is one of the quickest ways to lose a visitor. When everything shouts for attention, nothing stands out.

Why it’s a problem

A cluttered design feels chaotic and unprofessional. Too many options overwhelm users and make navigation difficult. Remember: users form opinions about your website in under one second.

How to fix it

Simplify. Keep your layout clean with plenty of white space and only essential pages in your navigation. Break content into short, scannable sections. If someone can’t tell what you do within five seconds of landing on your site, it’s time to declutter. Our design approach at Mapletree Studio is simple, every element should serve a purpose.

5. Outdated Design or Missing Trust Signals

If your website looks like it hasn’t changed since 2012, it’s doing more harm than good. Visitors quickly judge credibility based on visuals and trust cues.

Why it’s a problem

75% of users judge a company’s credibility based on its website design. Outdated visuals or missing details like contact info, reviews, and SSL security make your business look unreliable. Visitors need reassurance they’re dealing with a real, active company.

How to fix it

Refresh your design with modern typography, imagery, and layout. Add trust elements like client testimonials, Google reviews, and clear contact details. Include your business address, certifications, and an SSL certificate (that padlock in the URL). These small touches build confidence and keep users from bouncing.

Turn Your Website into an Asset, Not a Liability

Your website should work for you, not against you. If you spotted any of these mistakes on your own site, you’re not alone, but now’s the time to fix them.

At Mapletree Studio, we help small businesses build clean, modern websites that load fast, look professional, and drive real enquiries. We focus on purposeful design and performance, not gimmicks.

If you’re ready to turn your website into your best salesperson, get in touch for a free consultation. We’ll help you transform your site into something that not only looks good, but actually delivers results.