5 Website Mistakes Small Businesses Make (and How to Fix Them)

By Tony Parsons Design & Marketing
Based in Berkshire, proudly working with clients across the UK and around the world.

Your website is often the first impression people get of your business. That first click matters.

But too often, small businesses end up with a site that works against them — slow, confusing, or just… invisible. Here’s a breakdown of the most common website mistakes I see (and how to avoid them).

1. Trying to Say Everything at Once

You land on the homepage — and boom — walls of text, vague promises, zero clarity.

🔧 The fix:

Focus on one clear message above the fold:
Who you are, what you offer, and how you solve a problem.

Think:

“We design custom windows for Berkshire homes – professionally installed and built to last.”
Not:
“Welcome to our multi-generational family-run experience of quality bespoke installation services for a wide range of domestic environments…”

Keep it snappy. People scroll when they’re interested — but only if you’ve earned that scroll.

2. No Clear Call-to-Action (CTA)

Your site might be beautifully designed — but what do you actually want visitors to do?

If there’s no CTA, there’s no direction. They browse. They leave. That’s it.

🔧 The fix:

Use strong, clear calls to action on every page.
Examples:

• “Get a Free Quote”

• “View Our Packages”

• “Book a Consultation”

And don’t hide the contact button in a dropdown. Make it obvious.

3. Trying to DIY the Design (and Regretting It Later)

DIY platforms promise quick wins. But a clunky site that loads slowly, doesn’t work on mobile, and looks like everyone else’s? That can hurt your credibility — fast.

🔧 The fix:

Custom doesn’t have to mean expensive.
At Tony Parsons Design & Marketing, I offer affordable, handcrafted websites that look sharp and actually convert.

4. No SEO Strategy (aka Not Showing Up on Google)

You’ve launched your shiny new site. But you’re not getting traffic. Why?

Chances are, your pages aren’t optimised for search. Titles, meta descriptions, image tags — these all help Google know who you are and who you’re for.

🔧 The fix:

Do the basics well:

• Add keywords to your page titles (e.g. “Web Design for Small Businesses in Berkshire”)

• Write clear meta descriptions

• Optimise your images for speed and alt text

Or let me handle it — SEO setup starts from £300.

5. Thinking a Website Is “Set and Forget”

Websites aren’t brochures. They’re digital storefronts — and like any shop, they need tidying, updating, polishing.

A site with blog posts from 2019 and a broken contact form? It doesn’t scream trustworthy. Oh yes, have you seen that some websites flag that a website is not secure – that’s probably because it doesn’t have an SSL Certificate. Websites without SSL certificates may trigger security warnings in browsers, scaring away users. 

🔧 The fix:

Make small, regular updates.
Keep your content fresh.
And check your site on mobile every so often — because that’s how most people are viewing it.
We set up SSL Certificates on all of the websites we host.

Bonus: Google loves active sites.

Final Thoughts

A smart, clear, and user-friendly website builds trust before you even speak to a customer.
And for small businesses, trust is everything.

Want to talk about getting your site working harder for your business?

👉 Let’s start the conversation.

🛠️ Need help fixing any of these?

I work with small businesses, trades, creatives and start-ups across the UK. From affordable web design to SEO setup and full brand launches — I’ll help you show up professionally and get results.

📞 Ready to Start? 

Let’s talk. Book a free consultation with us here, and let’s bring your next creative project to life.