We’re into summer mode now; park days, buzzing beer gardens, coffee shop catch-ups and (fingers crossed) some proper sunshine. And just like you wouldn’t leave your car unlocked while you’re off enjoying a day in the park, the most common website mistake we see is that most people leave their website unprotected or overlooked while running their business.
Over the last couple of months, we’ve been talking a lot about website care because the truth is, a neglected website can quietly cost your business time, money, and credibility. You might not even realise there’s a problem… until it’s already costing you leads.
So let’s talk about the most common website mistakes we see, and more importantly, how to fix them.
1.No Backups in Place
Website mistakes 1: A website that is not backed up
Why it matters: One faulty plugin, an accidental update, or a hacker, and your entire website could vanish overnight. If you don’t have backups, there’s no way to recover it. That’s lost time, money, and possibly your online reputation.
How to avoid it: Set up automated, daily backups stored in a secure location. Better yet, get a website care plan that handles it for you, so you don’t even have to think about it.
2. Outdated Plugins & Themes
Website mistakes 2: Plugins are not updated
Why it matters: Old plugins = security flaws, broken functionality, and compatibility issues. We regularly see sites brought down or not functioning properly due to plugins that haven’t been updated in months (or even years), or when new plugins are added and are not compatible, resulting in broken functionality.
How to avoid it:
Keep everything up to date — but with care. Don’t click “update all” or add new plugins without checking compatibility. Our care clients get safe, tested updates included every month.
3. A Slow, Sluggish Website
Website mistakes 3: Images that take forever to load, spinning wheels, or pages that feel sluggish.
Why it matters: The truth is – people are impatient. If your site takes more than 3 seconds to load, they might bounce before they even see what you do.
How to fix it: Compress images, keep plugins tidy and up to date, and invest in reliable hosting. Regular care and updates help keep things lean and speedy.
4. Not Mobile-Friendly
Website mistakes 4: Buttons that are too small, text you have to pinch and zoom, or worse, content that’s cut off entirely.
Why it matters: Over 60% of people browse on their phones. If your site doesn’t work well on mobile, you’re losing customers before they even find the contact page.
How to fix it: Responsive design is a non-negotiable requirement. All our sites are mobile-friendly by default, and we do regular checks as part of our care packages.
5. Broken Forms or Outdated Info
Website mistakes 5: Contact forms that go nowhere. Old phone numbers. Old Event dates. Old Products.
Why it matters: Dead links or “404 not found” errors hurt your credibility and your search rankings. These are easy to miss, but they’re credibility killers. Plus, if your form’s broken, you’re missing leads you don’t even know about.
How to fix it: Test your forms monthly (we do this for our clients). And don’t set and forget your site — keep info fresh and relevant. A well-maintained site = happy users and better SEO.
6. No Clear Calls to Action
Website mistakes 6: A pretty homepage that leaves people asking: “What now?”
Why it matters: If visitors don’t know what to do next; book, call, buy, follow, they’ll scroll away. You need to lead them to the action you want them to take. This should ideally sit in your hero section (the bit you land on without scrolling).
How to fix it: Clear buttons. Friendly copy. Contact forms that are easy to find. And if you’ve got a seasonal offer? Get it up in your hero section, front and centre.
So… Why Are We Telling You This?
Because most of these website mistakes aren’t flashy or obvious, but they are the most common website mistakes we see. They quietly eat away at your traffic, your customer trust, and your enquiries and sales and you might not even know it’s happening.
That’s where a Website Care Package comes in.
We know all too well as small business owners, how many plates you have to spin, and website updates are an easy one to fall to the bottom of your to-do list. That’s why we recommend investing in a website care package to help address these issues before they become a problem. Fix them. Patch them. Test them. Every single month. Think of it as an insurance policy for your online shop window. After all, you have already invested so much in having a website – why not take care of it?
And for anyone who’s been thinking about this but hasn’t taken the leap…
Book a free 15-minute check-in to see how your site is performing or just send us an email for a friendly chat.
