You spent hours (and probably a good chunk of money) on your website… so why isn’t it actually doing anything?
If your site looks good but isn’t bringing in leads, traffic, or conversions, you’re not alone. I’ve worked with dozens of small business owners who felt the exact same way: proud of their website’s look, frustrated by its lack of results.
Let’s fix that.
Your website should be one of the hardest-working tools in your business. It’s your 24/7 digital storefront, your welcome mat, and—if done right—your best sales rep. But so often, websites miss the mark not because business owners don’t care or aren’t trying, but because they’ve been told a pretty site is a powerful site. And that’s just not true.
A powerful website isn’t just pretty. It’s purposeful.
Here are 3 things I check first in every website audit:
1. Your Call-To-Actions (CTAs) Are Confusing or Hidden
Let me paint a picture: Imagine walking into a beautifully designed store. The lighting is great, the displays are flawless, but… you can’t figure out how to check out. There’s no sign pointing to the register, and every employee just kind of nods at you but doesn’t offer help. Frustrating, right?
That’s what it feels like when your website doesn’t have a clear CTA. Your visitors are ready to take action—but if you don’t guide them, they’ll wander off and forget you exist.
CTAs Should Be Obvious and Intentional.
Every single page should have one primary goal and one next step. Ask yourself:
- Do I want them to book a call?
- Download a free guide?
- Fill out a form?
- Buy a product?
Once you know the answer, make that CTA easy to find. Use buttons, not links. Make sure it stands out visually. Repeat it a couple of times—once above the fold (the first screen they see), once in the middle, and again at the bottom.
Pro tip: Use action-oriented language. “Get your free guide” performs way better than “Submit.”
2. Your Site Isn’t Mobile-Friendly
Let’s talk numbers: over 60% of website traffic comes from mobile devices. If your site doesn’t look and function beautifully on a phone, you’re losing more than half your audience before they even read your first sentence.
When I work with clients, this is often the biggest missed opportunity. Their desktop version might look polished, but on mobile it’s a mess—tiny text, broken layouts, hard-to-click buttons.
Here’s what to check:
- Is the font size legible without zooming in?
- Are buttons and forms easy to click?
- Are images loading correctly?
- Can visitors scroll naturally without pinching and dragging?
If you’re not sure, run your site through Google’s free Mobile-Friendly Test. It’ll give you a quick snapshot of how your site performs on smartphones.
Fixing mobile responsiveness not only improves user experience—it also boosts your Google ranking. Google prioritizes mobile-friendly websites in search results.
3. Your Copy Isn’t Speaking to the Right Person
This one’s a biggie. I see beautifully designed websites all the time that say things like:
“We provide innovative, holistic solutions for all your digital needs.”
Sounds fancy… but what does that actually mean to your ideal client?
If your site copy is vague, jargon-heavy, or focused only on you—you’re missing the chance to connect. Your copy needs to clearly, directly, and quickly answer your audience’s top questions:
- What do you do?
- How can you help me?
- Why should I trust you?
- What do I do next?
A great trick? Write like you’re speaking to one person—the person who most needs your services. What are they struggling with? What are they afraid of? What have they already tried that didn’t work?
Use their language, not your industry speak.
Make your headlines benefit-focused. Instead of “Our Services,” try “How We Help You Grow.” Instead of “About Us,” say “Our Story + Why It Matters to You.”
Bonus: Your Website Might Be Missing Strategy Altogether
Here’s the truth: Most websites are built backwards. People pick a template, fill in the blanks, and hit publish.
But an effective website starts with strategy. It answers key questions before design ever enters the picture:
- Who is this for?
- What problem are we solving?
- What do we want people to do?
- What makes this business different?
If your site feels disjointed or isn’t performing, it’s likely not your fault—it’s just missing a solid plan underneath it all.
Quick Fix to Try This Week:
Let’s make this practical. Pick one high-traffic page on your site—probably your homepage or services page—and do this:
- Add a Clear CTA: Choose ONE goal. Book a call? Download a guide? Whatever it is, make it obvious.
- Test It on Mobile: Open it on your phone. Scroll like a user. Are the images, buttons, and layout working?
- Rewrite the First 2 Lines: Make sure your headline and subhead say who you help and what outcome you create.
Here’s an example:
Before: “Welcome to Our Website!”
After: “Helping Small Business Owners Build Websites That Work Hard (So They Don’t Have To)”
Christina’s Story: I’ve Been There Too
I spent over $3,000 trying to DIY my own website in the early days of my business. I poured in hours of time, watched endless YouTube videos, downloaded templates that looked stunning—but none of it brought in clients. It felt like I was spinning my wheels for a site that looked pretty but didn’t work.
That experience is what inspired me to create Simplify UR Biz. I help other small business owners avoid that same frustration by giving them strategy-first, simplified solutions that actually lead somewhere.
A website isn’t just a digital business card. It’s your online home. Let’s make sure it’s welcoming, clear, and working as hard as you are.
Want a Free Website Review?
If you’re not sure what to fix first, I offer a free homepage mini-audit for small business owners who want honest feedback and actionable tips.
Let’s turn your website into the powerful, lead-generating tool it was meant to be.
You’ve got this,
Christina
Simplify UR Biz