Is your website shit?

Introduction

Let’s face it: we’ve all visited a website that’s, well, a bit rubbish. Maybe the design was outdated, the text was full of jargon, or you couldn’t even find the phone number to call. For small businesses, having a subpar website is more than just embarrassing; it’s costing you money.

Over my 20+ years in the industry, I’ve had the privilege of working with some pretty big names in sports like Chelsea FC, Fulham FC, and Northampton Saints, as well as boutique brands like Frame and ThirdSpace. But I’ve also helped plenty of small businesses, and let me tell you, there’s one common problem: their websites are letting them down.

In this blog post, we’ll take a light-hearted look at whether your website is, well, a bit shit—and, more importantly, what you can do about it.

It Looks Like It Was Made in 2003

First impressions matter. When someone visits your website, they’re judging it within seconds. If it looks like it hasn’t been updated since dial-up internet was a thing, they’re out.

Think Comic Sans, clashing colours, or a homepage that scrolls forever with random GIFs flashing in the corners. Not only does this scream “unprofessional,” but it also makes your brand look outdated. Modern design trends favour clean layouts, intuitive navigation, and mobile responsiveness. If your site is stuck in the early 2000s, it’s time for an upgrade.

Nobody Can Find What They’re Looking For

You’ve got a killer product or service, but if your site visitors can’t figure out where to buy it or how to contact you, you might as well be invisible. Poor navigation is one of the biggest pitfalls of small business websites.

Think of your website like a shop: if customers have to wander through ten aisles to find the checkout, they’ll walk out before making a purchase. Clear menus, prominent call-to-action buttons, and logical page structure are essential for guiding users to the right place.

It’s Slower Than a Monday Morning

Speed matters. Research shows that if your site takes more than 3 seconds to load, nearly half of your visitors will bounce. A slow website frustrates users and kills conversions.

Common culprits include oversized images, clunky code, or hosting that’s not fit for purpose. Tools like Google PageSpeed Insights can help diagnose the problem, but the real fix might involve optimising your images, enabling caching, or investing in better hosting.

It Doesn’t Work on Mobile

In 2024, over half of website traffic comes from mobile devices. If your site isn’t mobile-friendly, you’re losing out—big time.

A mobile-responsive website adapts to different screen sizes, ensuring your content looks great whether it’s viewed on a smartphone, tablet, or desktop. If users have to pinch and zoom just to read your homepage, they’ll go elsewhere.

Your Content is a Snoozefest

Let’s be honest: nobody wants to read a wall of boring text filled with jargon. Your website copy should speak directly to your audience, highlighting the benefits of your product or service without putting them to sleep.

Write as if you’re having a conversation with a customer. Keep sentences short, use bullet points where possible, and don’t be afraid to inject a bit of personality into your content.

No One Knows What You Do

You’d be surprised how many websites fail to clearly explain what the business actually offers. If someone has to scroll for ages to figure out what you do, they’ll just click away.

Your homepage should include a simple, clear value proposition: “We build beautiful websites that convert visitors into customers,” for example. And for the love of all things digital, make sure your contact details are easy to find!

You’re Using Stock Photos That Everyone’s Seen Before

There’s nothing wrong with a good stock photo, but if your site is full of generic images of grinning office workers or people shaking hands, it’s not doing you any favours.

Authenticity is key. Invest in professional photography or use free resources like Unsplash for high-quality, unique images. Better yet, showcase your actual team, products, or workspace to build trust and connection with your audience.

It’s Not Secure

A secure website isn’t just about protecting your data; it’s about showing your customers they can trust you. If your site doesn’t have an SSL certificate (that little padlock icon in the browser), visitors might think twice before handing over their credit card details.

Most hosting providers offer free SSL certificates, so there’s no excuse not to have one.

You’re Ignoring SEO

Even the most beautiful website is useless if nobody can find it. Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) is the process of making your site more visible on Google and other search engines.

This includes optimising your page titles, adding alt text to images, and creating content that answers the questions your audience is searching for. If you’re not sure where to start, tools like Yoast (for WordPress) can help.

You’ve Forgotten the Follow-Up

Your website isn’t just a digital brochure; it’s a tool for generating leads and sales. If you’re not capturing email addresses or tracking visitor behaviour, you’re missing opportunities to follow up.

Include a newsletter signup form, integrate your site with Google Analytics, and use tools like Facebook Pixel to retarget visitors. These small steps can help turn casual browsers into loyal customers.

Conclusion

So, is your website shit? If you’ve recognised even a few of these issues, it might be time for a refresh. The good news is that it’s never too late to fix it.

Your website should be your hardest-working employee, converting visitors into customers 24/7. If it’s falling short, don’t worry—I’m here to help. Whether you need a complete overhaul or just a few tweaks, I’ll work with you to create a website that not only looks amazing but also delivers real results.

Ready to transform your website? Let’s chat.