7 Signs Your Business Website Is Losing You Customers
Your website works for you day and night, or against you. Many business owners never check theirs from a customer's point of view. Here are seven common signs that a website is losing customers, how to check each one in a few minutes, and what to do about it.
1. It loads slowly
People leave pages that take too long to load, especially on mobile data. Check: open your site on your phone using data, not Wi-Fi, and count how long it takes. You can also run it through Google's free PageSpeed Insights tool. Fix: compress large photos, remove things you do not need, and avoid pages with many big images.
2. It is hard to use on a phone
Most visitors use phones. If they have to zoom in, scroll sideways or tap tiny buttons, they will give up. Check: open the site on a phone and try to find your phone number and your prices. Fix: use a mobile-friendly design. See our mobile checklist.
3. The browser says "Not secure"
A site without HTTPS shows a warning in many browsers, which makes visitors nervous. Check: look for a padlock next to your address. Fix: ask your host to turn on a free security certificate (HTTPS).
4. The information is out of date
Wrong opening hours, old prices or a closed branch cause real frustration. Check: read every page as a customer would. Fix: update it today, and set a monthly reminder to check again.
5. It is not obvious how to contact or order
If visitors cannot find a phone number, a map or a way to order within a few seconds, you lose them. Check: can a stranger contact you in under ten seconds? Fix: put a phone number, address and a WhatsApp button at the top of every page. Our WhatsApp button guide shows how.
6. The menu or navigation is confusing
Too many menu items, hidden pages or unclear names make visitors lost. Check: ask a friend to find your prices without any help, and watch where they get stuck. Fix: keep the main menu to five or six clear items, such as Home, Menu or Services, About and Contact.
7. It looks unfinished or untrustworthy
Blurry photos, long blocks of small text, broken links and old design all lower trust. Check: would you buy from this site? Fix: use clear photos of your real products and premises, short paragraphs, and remove anything broken.
Which to fix first?
Start with what costs you customers the fastest: make sure the site opens quickly on a phone, and that your contact details and prices are easy to find. Then move on to design and extra pages.
Frequently asked questions
How often should I check my website?
Look at it as a customer at least once a month, and any time you change prices, hours or products.
Can I fix these problems myself?
Many of them, like updating text and photos, you can do yourself. For design or technical changes, such as speed and mobile layout, you may want help from a web designer. If you would like to talk it through, contact us.