5 Common Website Mistakes That Drive Customers Away (And How to Fix Them for Better Conversions)
Your website isn’t just your storefront—it’s your salesperson, brand ambassador, and often the first interaction a customer will have with your business. For UK small businesses, getting that interaction right is critical.
Yet, countless business websites are quietly failing—not because of poor intentions, but due to small usability issues that add up to a big loss in leads, sales, and customer trust.
Let’s explore five website mistakes that are silently driving your customers away—and how you can fix them.
1. Auto-Playing Videos with Sound
We’ve all been there: You click a link and suddenly a video starts blaring. It’s jarring, disruptive, and often results in an instant bounce.
📉 Why it’s a problem:
-
It annoys users, especially those in quiet environments or using mobile data.
-
Slows down page load speed.
-
Can feel like a “hard sell” rather than a helpful experience.
🔧 How to fix it:
-
Set videos to mute by default, with user-initiated sound.
-
Add captions to communicate your message without audio.
-
Consider using short, looping GIFs or muted videos for visual impact without the noise.
2. No Clear CTA or Value Proposition
Your site should answer three questions within 5 seconds:
-
Who are you?
-
What do you offer?
-
Why should I care?
Without a strong call-to-action (CTA) and a value proposition that stands out, users will leave without engaging.
📉 Why it’s a problem:
-
Visitors feel unsure or confused.
-
Missed opportunities to convert browsers into buyers or leads.
🔧 How to fix it:
-
Include a clear headline and subheading on your homepage.
-
Use compelling CTAs like “Get a Free Quote,” “Book Now,” or “Download Our Guide.”
-
Keep your message benefit-driven and customer-focused.
3. Broken Links or 404 Errors
Clicking a link and landing on a “Page Not Found” creates instant frustration. It tells users your site isn’t up to date—or worse, that you don’t care about their experience.
📉 Why it’s a problem:
-
Breaks trust and damages credibility.
-
Poor user experience and lower SEO rankings.
🔧 How to fix it:
-
Use free tools like Google Search Console or Broken Link Checker regularly.
-
Redirect outdated URLs to updated, relevant pages.
-
Create a custom 404 page that offers a helpful message and navigation back to key pages.
4. Text Too Small on Mobile
Over 60% of your traffic likely comes from mobile devices. If your fonts are hard to read, users won’t pinch and zoom—they’ll leave.
📉 Why it’s a problem:
-
Makes your site feel outdated or unprofessional.
-
Reduces readability and usability.
🔧 How to fix it:
-
Use a responsive design framework.
-
Stick to font sizes 16px and above for body text on mobile.
-
Test across multiple devices and screen sizes.
5. Poor Mobile Experience
Responsive design is no longer optional—it’s expected. Beyond just fitting on a smaller screen, mobile experiences must be intuitive and easy to navigate.
📉 Why it’s a problem:
-
Clunky menus, unclickable buttons, or slow load times frustrate users.
-
Google penalises poor mobile usability in search rankings.
🔧 How to fix it:
-
Optimise button sizes and spacing for thumbs.
-
Streamline navigation menus.
-
Minimise pop-ups and reduce unnecessary clutter on mobile views.
✅ Let’s Fix the Friction
If your website is guilty of even one of these mistakes, you could be losing valuable traffic and sales every day.
But the good news? These issues are fixable—and the results can be transformational. By prioritising usability, clarity, and mobile performance, you’ll create a website that works for your business, not against it.
Need help?
At Silk Media, we help UK small businesses turn underperforming websites into lead-generating machines. Whether you need a full redesign or just a few optimisations, we’re here to help.
