The Most Common Website Mistakes We See (And How to Fix Them).
At Mountain Forty Nine, we’ve rebuilt dozens of websites that were either thrown together in a hurry or simply left to gather dust. The good news? Most of the issues we come across are easy to fix — once you know what to look for.
Below are the five most common mistakes we see on small business websites — along with some practical ways to put them right.
1. Poor Mobile Experience
Many websites still aren’t designed with mobile users in mind. Tiny buttons, overlapping text, and awkward menus are enough to put people off — especially when most traffic now comes from mobile devices.
How to fix it:
Use a responsive platform (like Mozello, which we recommend), preview your content on mobile, and design with thumbs in mind — not just a mouse.
2. Slow Load Times
If your site takes more than a few seconds to load, visitors will likely click away before they’ve even seen your content. That’s potential customers lost before you’ve had a chance to speak to them.
How to fix it:
Optimise images, avoid bloated plugins and scripts, and ensure your hosting isn’t holding you back. Speed isn’t just a nice-to-have — it directly affects your SEO and conversion rates.
3. Cluttered or Confusing Navigation
A website should be easy to explore. If visitors can’t find what they’re looking for quickly, they’ll leave. Clear navigation is essential for building trust and keeping people engaged.
How to fix it:
Stick to clear, familiar menu labels. Keep the number of top-level items manageable, and make sure key pages (like “Contact” or “Services”) are always within one or two clicks.
4. Outdated or Thin Content
Out-of-date content, broken links, or placeholder text give the impression that a business is either closed or not paying attention. Even if you’re thriving, your website might be telling a different story.
How to fix it:
Update your content regularly with clear, relevant messaging. Speak to your audience directly and show them that you’re active, engaged, and ready to help.
5. No Clear Call to Action
One of the biggest missed opportunities is not telling visitors what you’d like them to do next — whether that’s calling you, filling in a form, or booking an appointment.
How to fix it:
Include a clear call to action on every page. Make it stand out, keep the wording simple, and ensure it matches the purpose of the page.
Ready for a Fresh Start?
If any of these issues sound familiar, don’t worry — you’re not alone. At Mountain Forty Nine, we specialise in helping small businesses modernise their websites, improve usability, and attract more of the right kind of attention online.
We offer a free conceptual example of how your website could look with these problems resolved. No jargon. No pressure. Just a clear view of what’s possible.
