You paid for a website. It looks fine. But the phone isn't ringing. What's wrong?
This is one of the most frustrating things for small business owners. You invested in a website expecting leads, and... nothing. Or maybe a trickle of calls that doesn't justify the investment.
I audit websites for local businesses regularly. These are the 7 problems I see killing conversions over and over again—and exactly how to fix each one.
Problem 1: Your Phone Number Is Hiding
I see this constantly. The phone number is in the footer, or buried on a "Contact" page, or worse—only in an image that can't be clicked.
When someone lands on your site from a mobile search, they have one finger ready to tap "Call." If they have to hunt for your number, many won't bother.
The Fix:
Put your phone number in the header of every page. Make it clickable (tel: link) so mobile users can tap to call instantly. Consider a sticky header that stays visible as people scroll.
Problem 2: Your Site Is Slow
Your site might look great once it loads. But if it takes 6 seconds? Half your visitors are gone before they see anything.
Slow sites also rank lower in Google search results, so you're getting fewer visitors AND losing more of them.
The Fix:
Test your site at PageSpeed Insights. Compress images, remove unnecessary plugins, and use quality hosting. Target under 3 seconds load time.
Problem 3: Not Mobile-Friendly
Over 60% of local searches happen on mobile devices. If your site has tiny text, buttons too small to tap, or requires pinching and zooming—you're losing most of your potential customers.
The Fix:
Your site must be "responsive"—automatically adjusting layout for different screen sizes. Test on an actual phone, not just by shrinking your browser window. Make buttons large enough to tap easily.
Problem 4: No Clear Call-to-Action
Your website has all your services listed, some nice photos, information about your company... but what should the visitor actually DO?
If the next step isn't obvious, visitors leave without taking action.
The Fix:
Every page needs a clear call-to-action. "Call Now for a Free Estimate." "Schedule Your Appointment." "Get a Quote Today." Use buttons that stand out visually. Repeat the CTA multiple times on longer pages.
Want Me to Audit Your Site?
SEO and conversion audit. I'll tell you exactly what's wrong and how to fix it. $200.
Learn MoreProblem 5: No Trust Signals
When someone finds you through search, they've never heard of you before. Why should they trust you with their plumbing? Their roof? Their legal matter?
If your site doesn't answer that question, visitors leave and call someone who looks more trustworthy.
The Fix:
- Display Google reviews prominently
- Show credentials: licensed, insured, certified
- Include real photos of you and your work
- Add logos of associations you belong to
- Feature testimonials with names and photos
- Display years in business
Problem 6: Confusing Navigation
Your site has 47 menu items, sub-menus, mega-menus, and the thing visitors want is buried three clicks deep.
Confusion = frustration = leaving.
The Fix:
Keep navigation simple. 5-7 main menu items maximum. Put the most important things (Services, Contact) where people expect them. Use clear labels—"Services" not "Solutions" or "What We Do."
Problem 7: You're Invisible in Search
This is the biggest one. Your website might be perfect, but if it doesn't show up when people search "plumber Louisville" or "dentist near me," nobody sees it.
A beautiful website with no traffic generates zero calls.
The Fix:
- Claim and optimize your Google Business Profile
- Use relevant keywords in your page titles and content
- Create separate pages for each main service
- Get listed in local directories
- Build up Google reviews
- Make sure your site is technically sound (fast, mobile-friendly, secure)
Quick Self-Audit Checklist
Pull up your website on your phone and check:
Can I find your phone number in 3 seconds?
- Phone number visible in header
- Number is clickable (tap to call)
- Number appears on every page
Does it load fast enough?
- Loads in under 3 seconds
- No spinning loader forever
- Images load quickly
Does it work on mobile?
- Text readable without zooming
- Buttons large enough to tap
- No horizontal scrolling
Is the next step obvious?
- Clear call-to-action on homepage
- CTA repeats throughout site
- Buttons stand out visually
Would a stranger trust you?
- Reviews or testimonials visible
- Credentials displayed
- Real photos (not stock images)
The Good News
Most of these problems are fixable. Some are quick fixes you can do today. Others need a professional, but they're not complicated.
The businesses that fix these issues see real results. More calls. More leads. More customers. It's not magic—it's just removing the friction between "someone finds your website" and "someone calls you."
Need Help?
I offer two things that can help:
- SEO & Conversion Audit ($200): I'll review your entire site and give you a prioritized list of exactly what to fix. You can fix it yourself or hire someone.
- Website Rebuild: If your site is beyond fixing, I build new websites starting at $950. Professional, fast-loading, mobile-friendly, and built to convert.
Or you can start with the checklist above. Sometimes a few small changes make a big difference.
Questions? Call or text me. I'll give you honest advice about what your site actually needs.