A website doesn’t have to be fancy to work. But a website with a few small problems can quietly turn people away, and you’d never know, because they just leave. Here are some quick checks you can do yourself in ten minutes, with no technical knowledge.
Check it on your phone
Most people looking for a local business are on their phone. Open your site on yours and look at it as a stranger would. Can you read the text without zooming in? Do the buttons work with a thumb? Does anything overlap or run off the screen? If it’s awkward for you, it’s awkward for them.
Time how long it takes to load
If your site takes more than a few seconds to show up, many people will give up and try the next business on the list. Common causes are huge photos, or too many extras added over the years. Try it on mobile data, not just your Wi-Fi.
Can people find your contact details in a few seconds?
Your phone number, address and opening hours should be easy to spot, without hunting through menus. If someone has to work to contact you, many won’t bother. A phone number that you can tap to call is a small change that makes a big difference.
Is it clear what you do?
Read your homepage as if you’d never heard of your business. Within a few seconds, can you tell what you do, where you do it and what to do next? If not, say it plainly at the top of the page.
Is there a clear next step?
Every page should point somewhere: call us, book a table, request a quote. If there’s no button or link telling visitors what to do, most will simply leave.
Does it look out of date?
An old copyright year in the footer, last year’s offers still showing, or a blog that stopped in 2021 can make a business look closed. You don’t need to rebuild anything. Fixing the small things can be enough.
Does it show up when someone searches for you?
Search for your business name, then for what you do plus your town. If you’re not there, or your details are wrong, that’s worth fixing first.
If you’d like a second pair of eyes, or you’d rather someone else handled it, see Website Design and Development.
