In this post, we’ll explore the five most common mistakes small businesses make with their websites and, more importantly, show you how to fix them. From neglecting SEO to skipping essential compliance tools, we’ll help you identify the gaps and turn your site into a professional and high-performing online presence.
Let’s get started and make sure your website isn’t holding your business back.
1. Neglecting Search Engine Optimisation (SEO)
The Mistake:
Many small businesses don’t realise the importance of SEO or assume it’s too complicated. Without proper optimisation, your website is invisible to search engines, meaning potential clients can’t find you.
Why It Matters:
SEO helps your website rank higher in search results, driving more organic traffic. It’s essential for visibility in a competitive online market.
How to Fix It:
- Install an SEO plugin like Rank Math for WordPress.
- Optimise every page with relevant keywords, meta descriptions, and headers.
- Use tools like Google Search Console to monitor your site’s performance.
Pro Tip: Read our guide, “How to Optimize Your Website for Search Engines”, for a detailed walkthrough.
2. Poor Mobile Responsiveness
The Mistake:
Your website looks great on a desktop but is clunky and hard to navigate on mobile devices.
Why It Matters:
Over 50% of website traffic in the UK and Europe comes from mobile devices. If your site isn’t mobile-friendly, visitors will leave quickly, increasing your bounce rate.
How to Fix It:
- Use Bricks Builder, which prioritises responsive design.
- Test your site on multiple devices using tools like BrowserStack.
- Simplify navigation and ensure text, buttons, and images scale properly.
Pro Tip: Check out our post, “Why Mobile-First Design is Key in 2025”, for more insights.
3. Overlooking Website Speed
The Mistake:
Your website takes more than three seconds to load, frustrating visitors and driving them away.
Why It Matters:
In Europe, slow websites see significantly higher abandonment rates. Speed affects both user experience and SEO rankings.
How to Fix It:
- Use a reliable hosting provider like Hostinger, which offers fast servers and built-in caching.
- Install a caching plugin like LiteSpeed Cache to optimise performance.
- Compress images with tools like ShortPixel to reduce load times.
Pro Tip: Our upcoming post, “How to Improve Your Website’s Speed,” will guide you through every step.
4. Ignoring Legal Compliance (GDPR)
The Mistake:
Many small business websites in the UK and EU don’t comply with GDPR regulations, risking fines and a loss of trust.
Why It Matters:
GDPR ensures that your website protects user data and informs visitors about cookies. Non-compliance can lead to serious penalties.
How to Fix It:
- Use tools like CookieYes to add a cookie consent banner.
- Update your Privacy Policy to explain how you handle user data.
- Add SSL (secure sockets layer) encryption to protect user information.
Pro Tip: Learn more in our detailed post, “GDPR Compliance Made Easy for Website Owners.”
5. Lack of Fresh, Engaging Content
The Mistake:
Your website hasn’t been updated in months, with outdated blog posts and static pages.
Why It Matters:
Regular updates keep your audience engaged and improve your site’s ranking in search engines. Fresh content also positions your business as an authority in your field.
How to Fix It:
- Start a blog and post regularly about topics your audience cares about.
- Use tools like Grammarly to ensure your content is polished.
- Plan a content calendar and update key pages (e.g., services, about) every few months.
Pro Tip: Check out our post, “How to Start a Blog for Your Small Business,” for tips on writing engaging posts.
Conclusion
Mistakes happen, but the good news is they’re easy to fix with the right tools and strategies. By addressing these five common issues – from SEO to legal compliance – you can create a website that’s not only functional but also a valuable asset to your business.
Remember, your website is often the first impression clients have of your brand. With a few tweaks and ongoing maintenance, you can ensure it leaves the right one.
Want to dive deeper? Explore our guides on SEO, GDPR compliance, and website design tips to take your site to the next level. And if you’re looking for a head start, check out our professionally designed templates for Bricks Builder to simplify the process.
Tools and Resources Mentioned in This Post:
- Rank Math (SEO plugin)
- Hostinger (Hosting)
- LiteSpeed Cache (Speed optimisation)
- CookieYes (GDPR compliance)
- Grammarly (Content writing)
- BrowserStack (Mobile responsiveness testing)