7 Common Website Problems and How to Fix Them
Your website is one of the most important tools in your online marketing ecosystem. Ideally, it’s working for you like a charm: inspiring people to take action and helping your business grow into everything you dream it can be. But sometimes, that’s simply not the case. Confusing or uninspiring websites can actually do more harm than good.
Here are seven of the most common website woes I see — and how to fix them.
PROBLEM 1: “PEOPLE ARE CONFUSED WHEN THEY LAND ON MY WEBSITE.”
This usually happens when there’s no strong tagline or intro headline at the top of the site. When people first arrive, you have about 4 seconds to show them what you offer and who it’s for.
Fix: Write a clear, direct headline that spells this out right away. Don’t be vague or clever — give it to them straight. This helps visitors locate themselves quickly and dive deeper without confusion.
PROBLEM 2: “I’M HAVING TROUBLE GETTING PEOPLE TO VISIT MY WEBSITE.”
If your website feels like an island, it’s probably not getting enough outside traffic.
Fix: Think of your site as the hub of a bigger ecosystem. Use your social media channels to share your story, connect with your audience, and promote your offerings. Make sure your bios are consistent, link back to your site, and reflect your tagline.
Don’t forget SEO — even simple steps like writing descriptive page titles, using keywords in headings, and adding alt text to images will make your site easier to find. Finally, research where your ideal customers hang out online, and meet them there. By engaging genuinely in those spaces, your traffic will grow organically.
PROBLEM 3: “PEOPLE AREN’T ENGAGING WITH MY WEBSITE CONTENT.”
A static website is easy to forget. If nothing changes, visitors won’t come back.
Fix: Treat your site like a tool for engagement. Add a blog, resources, videos, or other dynamic content that feels fresh and relevant to your audience. If engagement is still low, ask clients directly what they’d love to see. The sweet spot is content that’s both useful and enjoyable to consume. Share it on social media, and make it easy for others to pass along by adding share buttons.
PROBLEM 4: “PEOPLE AREN’T SIGNING UP FOR MY NEWSLETTER.”
Low sign-ups usually mean either design issues or unclear value.
Fix: First, check your opt-in form placement. Is it easy to spot? Is it visually highlighted? Second, set expectations. Tell people how often you’ll email and what kind of content they’ll get. Lastly, sell the value — explain how your newsletter will inspire, inform, or help them. If your site and social media are fresh, original, and engaging, people will want more.
PROBLEM 5: “PEOPLE AREN’T CONVERTING ON MY WEBSITE.”
If visitors aren’t taking action, it’s often because there are too many choices or unclear directions.
Fix: Decide the primary goal of each page, and include one clear call to action. Use a contrasting color or distinct design element so it stands out. Fewer, clearer options = more conversions.
PROBLEM 6: “MY WEBSITE TAKES TOO LONG TO LOAD.”
A slow site turns visitors away before they even get started.
Fix: Optimize your images so they aren’t unnecessarily large, reduce unnecessary plug-ins or code bloat, and make sure your site is hosted on a reliable platform. Most modern website builders (like Squarespace) handle a lot of this for you, but being intentional about image sizes and media will keep things snappy.
PROBLEM 7: “MY WEBSITE ISN’T ACCESSIBLE.”
If your website isn’t accessible, you may be unintentionally shutting out part of your audience.
Fix: Start with simple improvements: make sure text has strong contrast with its background, all images include alt text, and your site can be navigated with a keyboard. Accessibility isn’t just about compliance — it’s about making sure everyone can engage with your work.
That’s a Wrap
Your website is one of your most powerful business tools — don’t let it go to waste. By making sure it’s clear, engaging, fast, and accessible, you’ll create a site that works for you instead of against you.
Onwards & Upwards,