Why 'fine' websites don't work for you

Let’s talk about that “perfectly good” website that might be quietly scaring off your next sale.

You know that phrase “if it isn’t broken, don’t fix it”?

Yeah… that doesn’t really apply to websites.

Sure, your site might load (eventually). The colours still look decent. Your cousin says it’s “fine.” But “fine” isn’t the same as working. Because while it’s sitting there being perfectly adequate, your ideal customers are quietly clicking away to someone who looks a bit more polished, a bit easier to deal with, and a lot more trustworthy.

Let’s unpack the quiet reasons your website might be costing you sales, even if it seems perfectly fine on the surface.

1. It’s slower than a tradie on a Friday afternoon

Speed matters. A lot.

If your site takes more than three seconds to load on a mobile, about half your visitors will already have wandered off to make a cuppa (or worse, searched for your competitor).

You don’t need to become a tech expert, just know that oversized images, background videos, and forgotten plugins can drag your site down.

Quick fix:

Run your site through PageSpeed Insights

to see what’s slowing it down. Compress your images, remove anything unnecessary, and keep things lean. If you’d rather not deal with that sort of thing, I can take care of it for you while you get back to the good part: running your business.

2. You built it on a desktop, but everyone’s visiting on their phone

Your website might look great on your laptop.

But your customers? They’re probably standing in a field, scrolling with one thumb.

If your buttons are too small, your text overlaps, or your forms require Olympic-level dexterity, people will give up before they even reach the “contact” bit.

Quick fix:

Open your site on your phone and try every button. Fill in your own form. If it’s irritating, it’s broken.

Mobile-friendly design isn’t optional any more — it’s the difference between “found a lead” and “lost a sale.”

3. Your call-to-action’s hiding

Let me guess: your homepage ends with “Contact us today”?

Charming, but vague.

Your visitors shouldn’t have to hunt for what to do next. They need a clear, friendly prompt, something like “Get a quote,” “Book your free consult,” “See our packages,” or “Let’s make this easy.”

Quick fix:

Add one confident call-to-action at the top of the page, and repeat it throughout. Your site isn’t being pushy; it’s being useful.

4. Google’s never heard of you

You can have the smartest-looking site in the High Country, but if Google doesn’t know it exists, neither will your customers.

Search engine optimisation (SEO) isn’t about tricking algorithms. It’s about being clear. Use real words your customers would actually type. (Spoiler: no one’s searching for “bespoke digital transformation solutions.” They’re typing “affordable website designer near Mansfield.”)

Quick fix:

Make sure every page has a proper title, a meta description, and wording that sounds like you’re talking to a real human being.

And yes — blogging about helpful topics (like this one) is one of the easiest ways to stay visible.

5. It hasn’t been updated in years

A website isn’t like a bottle of Shiraz, it doesn’t improve with age.

If you haven’t refreshed your copy, added a testimonial, or changed your photos since pre-COVID, it’s probably overdue for a tidy-up. Outdated content signals neglect, even if your business is thriving.

Quick fix:

Schedule a quick “website health check” every 6–12 months. Swap out old photos, refresh your wording, check your links, and make sure your contact details are still current. You’d be surprised how often they aren’t.

6. It doesn’t sound like you

You can always tell when a website’s been written by a template.

It’s full of “solutions-driven approaches” and “leveraging synergy.” No thanks.

If your copy doesn’t sound like the way you actually speak to your customers, it’s not building trust, it’s putting distance between you and them.

Quick fix:

Read your homepage out loud. If it feels stiff or unnatural, it probably is.

Rewrite it like you’re explaining your business to someone in the pub. I can help make it sound warm, friendly, and still professional. (Because yes, you can have both.)

The wrap-up

Your website doesn’t have to be perfect, but it should work for you.

That means loading quickly, guiding visitors clearly, and sounding like the real, capable person behind the business.

If your site’s currently in “fine but frustrating” territory, I can help turn it into something that actually earns its keep, a site that looks great, runs smoothly, and attracts the right customers without you lifting a finger.

Find out how I can help with small business website design in Mansfield.

(No jargon. No stress. Just a better site that works.)