1. Poor Mobile Experience

In a world where most users browse on their phones, a website that isn’t mobile-friendly is a dealbreaker. Cluttered layouts, tiny text, and slow load times can quickly drive visitors away.
The fix: Adopt a mobile-first design approach. This means designing for smaller screens first, ensuring navigation, content, and visuals look perfect on every device.

2. Slow Loading Speeds

Nothing kills interest faster than a website that takes too long to load. Research shows that users abandon sites that load in more than three seconds.
The fix: Compress images, remove unnecessary plugins, and use reliable hosting services to improve performance. Tools like Google PageSpeed Insights can help identify specific speed issues.

3. Lack of Clear Calls-to-Action (CTAs)

Many SME websites fail because visitors don’t know what to do next. Without strong CTAs – such as “Book a Consultation” or “Get a Quote” – even the best content can fall flat.
The fix: Make CTAs visible, concise, and persuasive. Place them strategically throughout your site to guide users naturally towards conversion.

4. Outdated Design and Content

An outdated website can make even the best businesses look untrustworthy. Old visuals, broken links, and irrelevant information all harm your credibility.
The fix: Schedule regular updates with a website maintenance plan. Refresh images, rewrite copy, and ensure your content reflects your latest services and brand message.

5. Ignoring SEO

A beautiful website is useless if no one can find it. Many SMEs overlook search engine optimisation (SEO), meaning their site never ranks well on Google.
The fix: Optimise each page with relevant keywords, meta descriptions, and internal links. Regularly publish blogs and content that answer your audience’s questions – Google rewards fresh, relevant content.