If you’re putting time, energy, and money into building a website but your conversions are flatlining… It’s time for a heart-to-heart. Because your site might look shiny on the outside, but under the hood? It could be full of potholes that are sending visitors packing.
Let’s talk about the most common website mistakes that are quietly killing your conversions and how to fix your website without pulling your hair out.
These aren’t vague tips like “make it more engaging.” We’re diving deep into real stuff that affects real people visiting your site. Ready to see what’s sabotaging your sales, signups, or leads?
Mistake #1: Confusing Navigation (A.K.A. Where the Heck Am I?)
Have you ever landed on a website and instantly felt like you’ve been dropped into a maze? No clear path, no clue where to click, and you start questioning your life choices?
Yeah, your visitors feel that too. And if they have to work too hard to figure out how to buy something, contact you, or learn more, they’re bouncing.
Why this kills conversions:
People have short attention spans. Like… goldfish-level short. If they can’t figure out what your site does or where to go in the first 3-5 seconds, they’re probably gone. And if your menus are messy, your links are broken, or you’re using clever (but unclear) page names like “The Vault” instead of “Blog”? It’s game over.
How to fix it:
- Simplify your navigation: Stick to 5-7 main menu items max.
- Use clear, boring labels: “Home,” “Services,” “Pricing,” “Contact.” Boring is beautiful when people are scanning.
- Add a sticky menu: Let your nav follow users as they scroll, so they’re never stranded.
- Test with real humans: Ask a friend to find your pricing page. If it takes more than 5 seconds? You’ve got work to do.
Pro Tip: Use tools like Hotjar or Microsoft Clarity to watch user sessions and see where folks are getting lost.
Mistake #2: Slow Load Times (Tick… Tock… They’re Gone)
You know the feeling: you click on a site and… nothing. You wait. A loading spinner appears. You check your Wi-Fi. You wait some more.
Guess what? Your visitors don’t wait.
Why this kills conversions:
According to Google, 53% of mobile users bounce if a page takes longer than 3 seconds to load. That’s not just bad for conversions, it’s brutal for SEO too.
How to fix it:
- Compress your images: Don’t upload a 4MB photo from your DSLR. Use tools like TinyPNG or ShortPixel.
- Use lazy loading: Load images after the rest of the page appears, not before.
- Switch to a faster host: If you’re on a slow, shared hosting plan, upgrading to something faster (like SiteGround, Cloudways, or WP Engine) can make a huge difference.
- Minify your code: If you’re not a developer, use a plugin like WP Rocket or NitroPack to handle the heavy lifting.
Speed Check: Run your URL through PageSpeed Insights to see where you’re dragging and what to fix.
Mistake #3: Weak or Missing Calls-to-Action (CTA)
You’ve probably seen sites where it’s not clear what they want you to do. Like… “Ok cool, I read your blog post now what?” That’s a missed opportunity, and it happens all the time.
Why this kills conversions:
People want to be guided. They’re not lazy, they just appreciate a clear next step. Whether it’s “Buy now,” “Get your free quote,” or “Download the guide,” your site should gently steer people where you want them to go.
If your CTAs are weak, missing, or buried in walls of text, you’re leaving money (and leads) on the table.
How to fix it:
- Add a clear CTA on every page: Think of it like closing a conversation. Don’t leave people hanging.
- Use action-oriented language: “Start your free trial,” “Get instant access,” “Book your call today.”
- Make CTAs stand out visually: Use contrasting button colors, whitespace, and consistent placement.
- Test different variations: Try A/B testing different CTA copy or designs to see what converts best.
Bonus Tip: Add a floating or exit-intent popup CTA for users who are about to leave without converting.
Mistake #4: Not Optimized for Mobile (The Scroll Struggle is Real)
This is 2025. Most of your traffic is probably mobile. If your site’s not optimized for phones and tablets, you’re literally throwing conversions away.
Why this kills conversions:
A clunky mobile site leads to rage-tapping, pinching to zoom, and accidental exits. It creates friction. And friction = fewer conversions.
How to fix it:
- Go responsive: Your design should adapt to all screen sizes, not just desktop.
- Check your font size: No one wants to squint at 10px text on a phone.
- Simplify mobile navigation: Use hamburger menus and keep important links accessible.
- Optimize buttons for thumbs: Make sure your CTAs are big enough to tap easily, especially on smaller screens.
Check it yourself: Visit your site on a few different devices. If it’s hard to read or use, fix it. Better yet, use Chrome DevTools’ “Device Toolbar” to simulate various phones.
Mistake #5: Not Building Trust Fast Enough (Who Are You Again?)
People don’t buy from websites. They buy from people (or at least brands) they trust. And if your site looks shady, generic, or like it was made in 2008… they’re gone.
Trust is the secret sauce behind every high-converting site.
Why this kills conversions:
When visitors can’t trust your brand, they won’t give you their email, their credit card, or their time. This is especially true if you’re selling online or asking for personal info.
How to fix it:
- Add trust signals: Use testimonials, case studies, client logos, and trust badges.
- Show your face: People connect with people. Add photos of your team or founder.
- Use HTTPS: Secure your site with an SSL certificate. No one wants to see “Not secure” in the browser bar.
- Fix typos and broken links: Sloppy copy makes you look unprofessional. Run a site audit every few months.
Real-World Example: One local service site we worked on added 5 customer reviews and a simple “As seen on” bar with logos. Boom, conversions went up by 28% in two weeks.
Bonus Mistake: Trying to Be Everything to Everyone
This one’s sneaky. A lot of businesses want their site to appeal to everyone. So the messaging ends up being vague, watered-down, and totally forgettable.
Your homepage says things like:
“We help businesses grow.”
Cool… but what kind of businesses? How? Why should I care?
Why this kills conversions:
If your messaging isn’t specific, it won’t resonate. And if it doesn’t resonate, people won’t stick around, let alone convert.
How to fix it:
- Niche down your message: Instead of “We do websites,” say “We build conversion-focused Shopify stores for wellness brands.”
- Use “you” language: Speak directly to the visitor. “We help you grow faster.”
- Highlight benefits, not features: People don’t care about your process, they care about what’s in it for them.
Quick Rewrite Exercise: Go to your homepage and read the first 3 lines of copy. Is it crystal clear what you do, who it’s for, and why it matters? If not… time for a refresh.
Real Talk: It’s Like the Best Air Duct Cleaning
Imagine your website is like the air system in your home. It might look fine on the outside, but if the ducts are clogged, the air doesn’t flow and you feel it.
Fixing your site is kinda like getting the best air duct cleaning. It clears the unseen junk, lets your content breathe, and suddenly everything just works better. More visitors stay. More clicks happen. More people convert.
And the best part? You don’t need to rebuild your whole site. Just fix what’s broken.
So… Where Do You Start?
If all five of these mistakes hit a little too close to home, don’t panic. Here’s a quick action plan to fix your website starting today:
- Run a speed test and fix anything slowing your site down.
- Audit your homepage and menus-make navigation stupid simple.
- Add a strong CTA on every page.
- Check your mobile layout and fix anything clunky.
- Plug in some trust signals (testimonials, badges, real photos).
Fix just one of these and you’ll probably notice a boost. Fix all five, and watch your conversions climb.
Because let’s be real, your website isn’t just a digital business card. It’s your best salesperson. And if it’s underperforming, it’s time for a tune-up.
Final Thoughts (But Not Essay-y)
Don’t let a few fixable website mistakes wreck your chances of turning visitors into paying customers. The sooner you fix your website, the sooner it’ll start working for you instead of against you.
Need help figuring out what to fix first? Ask a friend to visit your site and narrate their experience. Or email Theresa to schedule your no-cost site evaluation with Katalinas Communications to get some pointers on how best to improve your website.
