Introduction: Your Website Should Be Working Harder for You
Your website is often the first impression your business makes — and the difference between a curious visitor and a paying client. But here’s the truth: most small-business websites leak leads every single day due to simple, fixable mistakes.
At Bright House Media, we’ve audited hundreds of business sites, and the same issues keep showing up. Here are the 10 silent conversion killers — and how to fix them fast.
1. Slow Load Times
If your site takes more than 3 seconds to load, nearly half your visitors are gone. Google also ranks slow sites lower.
Quick fix:
💡 Aim for a Google PageSpeed score above 85 on both mobile and desktop.
2. Confusing Navigation
If visitors can’t find what they need in 2 clicks, they’ll bounce. Complex menus or too many options create friction.
Quick fix:
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Limit top-level nav items to 5–7
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Add clear CTAs (“Get a Quote,” “Book a Call”)
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Include a visible contact button in your header
3. Weak or Missing Calls-to-Action
A beautiful site won’t convert without direction. If your CTAs say “Learn More” or “Submit,” you’re losing clarity.
Quick fix:
Use action-driven language:
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“Get Your Free Website Audit”
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“Schedule a Consultation”
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“Start Your Project Today”
4. No Trust Signals
People buy from businesses they trust. Missing testimonials, certifications, or case studies equals missed revenue.
Quick fix:
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Add Google review widgets
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Feature client logos or testimonials on your homepage
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Show photos of your team or workspace
💡 Real people + real results = instant credibility.
5. Not Mobile-Friendly
Over 60% of traffic is mobile. If your buttons are tiny or text overflows, users won’t stay long.
Quick fix:
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Use responsive design
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Test on multiple devices
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Prioritize thumb-friendly navigation
6. Poor Headline Hierarchy
Visitors skim before reading. Weak or inconsistent headlines make your message unclear.
Quick fix:
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Use one H1 per page (your main message)
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Use H2s and H3s to break up sections
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Keep headlines clear, not clever (“We Build Websites That Win Leads” beats “Digital Brilliance Redefined”)
7. No Clear Value Proposition
If someone lands on your homepage and can’t tell what you do in 5 seconds, they’ll leave.
Quick fix:
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Add a short hero headline that says who you help and how
Example: “We build websites that attract and convert local customers.”
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Add a supporting CTA: “Book Your Free Strategy Call.”
8. Outdated or Inconsistent Branding
Mismatched colors, fonts, or old logos make you look unreliable.
Quick fix:
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Stick to a consistent brand palette
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Refresh old photos and icons
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Align design with your target audience’s expectations
9. Ignoring SEO Fundamentals
If no one can find your site, even the best design won’t help.
Quick fix:
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Optimize page titles and meta descriptions
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Use keyword-rich H1/H2s
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Add internal links and alt text for images
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Submit your sitemap to Google Search Console
10. No Analytics or Conversion Tracking
You can’t improve what you don’t measure.
Quick fix:
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Set up Google Analytics 4 and Google Search Console
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Track events: form submissions, button clicks, phone calls
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Review data monthly to find drop-off points
Bonus: You’re Trying to Do It All Yourself
DIY can only take you so far. Great websites combine strategy, design, copywriting, and technical optimization — all tuned for conversions. That’s what we do every day at Bright House Media.
Conclusion: Small Fixes, Big Results
Every one of these mistakes is fixable — and most can deliver measurable results within weeks. By tightening up performance, clarity, and calls-to-action, you can turn your website into a steady lead-generation engine.