5 Mistakes That Ruin Business Websites (and How We Fix Them)

We've rebuilt a lot of websites over the years — and most of the time, the reason isn't that the original site was bad... it's that it made subtle but critical mistakes that quietly drove users away or lost them leads.

Whether you're launching a new business or reviewing your existing site, here are five common website-killing mistakes — and how we fix them at Elephantfly.

1. Slow Load Speeds (Especially on Mobile)

In 2025, Google still prioritises page speed for SEO — and users bounce in seconds if your site feels sluggish.

The Problem:

• Heavy images
• Poor hosting
• Bloated themes/plugins
• No caching or compression

Our Fix:

• Convert images to WebP or AVIF
• Deploy code splitting + lazy loading
• Implement server-side rendering (SSR) for speed (especially with Next.js)
• Use Vercel, Netlify, or LiteSpeed hosting

💡 Real-world stat: 1-second delay = 7% drop in conversions. (Source: Akamai)

2. No Clear Call-to-Action (CTA)

You'd be surprised how many websites forget to tell users what to do next.

The Problem:

• No contact buttons
• CTAs buried below the fold
• Confusing user journeys

Our Fix:

• Clear, repeated CTA (e.g. "Book a Call" or "Get a Free Quote")
• Sticky header buttons
• Section-based lead magnets ("Want a free audit?")
• CTA aligned with your actual business goal

3. Poor Mobile Experience

Over 60% of your traffic is mobile. If your site isn't designed for phones, users won't just get frustrated — they'll leave.

The Problem:

• Fonts too small
• Buttons too close together
• Layouts that break on small screens

Our Fix:

• Mobile-first design approach
• Extensive testing on iOS + Android
• Device-aware breakpoints in CSS/JS
• Touch-friendly layouts, swipe actions, and scroll animations

🤳 We test your site on real devices — not just emulators.

4. Stock Template Look (No Brand Identity)

First impressions count — and if your site looks generic, your business feels generic.

The Problem:

• Overused WordPress themes
• Generic fonts and icons
• No colour consistency or logo integration

Our Fix:

• Custom Figma-designed UI
• Strategic use of colour psychology
• Cohesive branding across your digital identity
• Subtle animations or interactions for polish

💡 Your website isn't just a brochure — it's your first salesperson.

5. No Real Security Measures

Security isn't just for eCommerce — every site is a target for bots, spammers, and script kiddies.

The Problem:

• No SSL or HTTPS
• Exposed admin panels
• No monitoring or alerting

Our Fix:

• SSL + HSTS and CSP headers
• Brute-force login protection
• WAF (Web Application Firewall)
• Real-time alerting for file or traffic anomalies

Most Business Owners Don't Know Their Site Is Failing

Sometimes the biggest problem isn't visible — it's in your analytics:

• High bounce rates
• No form submissions
• No SEO ranking after 6+ months

These are signs your site is working against you, not for you.

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✅ Final CTA (Call to Action)
If your website isn't bringing in enquiries, it's probably leaking trust or confusing visitors.
Let us do a Free Website Health Check — no strings attached.
Email us at info@elephantfly.ie