You spent hours (maybe weeks) getting your website up. You picked the colors, wrote the copy, tweaked the design... and still, it’s crickets.

Studies show users form an opinion about your website in just 0.05 seconds.
And if it’s not clear, fast, and valuable? They bounce.

So if your website looks good but isn’t converting, you’re not crazy, and you’re definitely not alone. Most small business owners are missing the very things that make a website actually work. As in, bring in leads. Convert traffic. Build trust. Drive revenue.

What is website conversion?

When we talk about “website conversions,” we’re not just chasing clicks or page views… we’re talking about action. A conversion is any time a visitor takes the next step you want them to take. That might be:

Filling out your contact form
Booking a discovery call
Downloading a lead magnet
Signing up for your email list
Buying a product or service

In other words: a conversion is movement. It means your website isn’t just being seen, it’s being used and it’s turning curious clicks into paying clients.

So, what actually makes a website convert then?

Website conversion is not just design. It's a healthy mix of strong copy, smart layout, technical performance, and intentional user flow. Your website should do more than just “exist”. It should answer all of the questions that potential customers might have and get them to the action that you want them to take.

If you're looking to improve conversions, there are a few things that you can do today to help!

Here are 5 signs your website is quietly working against you

1. It Looks Great — But Has No Strategy

Maybe you’ve already invested in a professional website or high-end template. The design is clean, the branding feels aligned, and at first glance, everything appears “done right.”

But here’s the problem… your site isn’t doing what it should be doing. In this case, moving people from interest to action.

A strategic website isn’t just well-designed. It’s built to perform. That means every part of your site has a job: clarify your offer, build credibility, and guide the user toward the next step.

As your business grows and evolves, what has worked in the past might not be working anymore, or working as well as it once had. So if you’ve got a website without a strategy? You’ve got a digital portfolio, not a tool that converts.

2. It’s All About You (Not Your Client)

You’re proud of your story, your passion, your mission. You should be! You’ve worked hard. But when every word is “I do this, I offer that,” your dream client is left wondering… What’s in it for me?

The most effective websites flip the script. They don’t just introduce the business — they mirror the client’s thoughts back to them.

Instead of:

“I’m a natural light photographer specializing in weddings and portraits. I’ve been shooting for 10+ years and love capturing authentic moments.”

Try:

“You want timeless photos that feel like you — not stiff poses or overly edited trends. I help couples and families feel comfortable on camera, so we can create images you’ll actually love looking at in 10 years.”

See the shift? It centers them, not you. It shows that you understand where they are now — and where they want to be next.

When you’re living in your “business bubble” 24/7, it’s easy to assume your offers are obvious. But clarity is a service. If your copy doesn’t speak your client’s language, you’re creating friction before they even get to the inquiry form.

3. It’s Not Built to Convert

If your site doesn’t tell people what to do next, they’ll do nothing.

Maybe it’s missing clear calls to action, is overstuffed with distractions, or simply doesn’t create momentum. Your website’s job isn’t to “exist” — it’s to move people.

If your main objective is to book a consultation, make sure your call to action buttons direct them to your booking link. Website visitors aren't always going to understand what you are hoping they'll do, and could find themselves clicking all over your website instead (that means a bigger risk of them clicking away and off of your page).

You need a clear journey. And yes, that means buttons that are actually visible. Pages that make sense. Offers that feel obvious. Even though it probably seems cut-and-dry from your perspective, that potential client needs to be nurtured and told what that next step needs to be!

Camp Amigo Youth Burn Camp's old website with the new website beside it — *The old Camp Amigo site was built in the mid-2000s, outdated, and wasn’t functional on mobile — now, it’s updated and ready for the future!*

4. It’s Slow, Broken, or Outdated

Have you ever visited a website that literally looked like a website from 15 years ago? It’s almost a shock to see a website now that looks like an old MySpace page (and one that doesn’t format to your phone) but guess what! They still exist. 😵‍💫

If your website hasn’t been updated in years, loads slowly, isn’t mobile-friendly, or has broken links and outdated info, then it's most likely causing you to lose trust in seconds.

Remember: People bounce fast — and they won’t come back.

Fun (or maybe not so fun) Fact: Google penalizes sites with poor performance, which tanks your visibility even more. The back-end of your site is just as important as the front-end experience!

5. You Haven’t Touched It in Over a Year

While not nearly as outdated as Sign #4, a year of no updates is also not great. Biggest giveaway? Your site still says “(c) 2020” in the footer, promotes a past/expired offer, or has copy that speaks to trends ‘n things from years before. (Yep, I’m looking at you Covid-copy!)

Not only does stale content hurt your SEO, but it also makes you look inactive or out of touch.

There’s gotta be some good news in here, right? Yesss!

You don’t always need a total rebuild to see results.

And if you saw yourself in any of these signs or website conversion tips, don’t panic. Your site doesn’t need to be perfect! It just needs to be purposeful.

With the right strategic tweaks, you can turn your website from an online business card into a revenue-driving asset.

The best part of all of this? Most of these updates can be made in a single day with my Done in a Day option! We’ll take a look at your existing Squarespace or Kajabi website and make updates that make a big impact.

Let's Talk About It!