You’ve put in the hours. You’ve tackled social media, maybe even put some money into ads, and you’ve finally got someone to click your link. But the second they land on your website… they’re gone.
It’s incredibly frustrating when you’re doing everything “right” but the numbers aren’t moving. Most of the time, the issue isn’t your product or your price. It’s that your website is accidentally pushing people away.
Here are 10 common mistakes that might be causing people to leave your site and the quick wins you can use to fix them today.
1. Wall of Text
People don’t typically read websites; they scan them. A giant block of text is a quick way to overwhelm a user’s brain, causing them to “burn too many calories” trying to process your message.
The Fix:
- Break your content into 2–3 sentence paragraphs.
- Use headers and bullet lists to make the page easy to digest at a glance.
2. Robotic or AI Copy
With the rise of AI-generated content, many sites are filled with vague phrases like “leveraging innovative solutions”. This corporate-speak can leave your visitors confused.
The Fix:
- Write like you speak.
- Read your copy out loud; if it doesn’t sound like something you’d say to a friend over coffee, edit it until it does.
3. Long Forms
Every extra field you add to a form reduces the chances of someone actually finishing it. This is “friction”—and your goal should always be to reduce it.
The Fix:
- Keep forms short.
- Only ask for the absolute necessary information for that specific transaction.
4. Mobile Unfriendly
A huge portion of your visitors are browsing on their phones, often while multitasking. If your site isn’t optimized for mobile, you’re losing them.
The Fix:
- Open your site on your phone and try the “Thumb Test”.
- Try navigating your site with just your thumb while holding a coffee in the other hand. Focus on fixing the issues you find with this test.
5. No Call To Action (CTA)
A website without a clear CTA is like a store without a checkout counter. Your visitor needs to be invited into the story with a clear next step.
The Fix:
- Use obvious buttons like “Buy Now” or “Book an Appointment”.
- Avoid vague language like “Learn More.” Use a color that stands out from the rest of your design.
6. Hidden Info
Don’t make people go on a “scavenger hunt” for your pricing, location, or contact info. Your site needs to pass the five second test, do your visitors know exactly what you offer and how to get it at first glance?
The Fix:
- Put important info where people expect to find it.
- Label your menu items clearly and don’t get too clever with your terminology.
7. Stock Photography
While stock photos have their place, they can often feel fake or cold. To gain trust, you need to show the real people behind the brand.
The Fix:
- Use real photos of yourself, your team, and your actual workspace.
- Even a few authentic photos can go a long way in building trust and connection.
8. Slow Load Times
Large, unoptimized images are the biggest culprit behind slow sites. If a page takes too long to load, visitors will leave before they even see your headline.
The Fix:
- Use tools like imageresizer.com to compress your files.
- Check your site’s performance using PageSpeed Insights to see what’s slowing you down on both mobile and desktop.
9. Lack of Social Proof
People want reassurance that they are making the right decision. Without testimonials or “Stories of Transformation,” your brand lacks the credibility needed to turn a visitor into a customer.
The Fix:
- Add 2–3 testimonials from happy clients.
- The best reviews show a transformation: “I had this problem, I used this service, and now my life is better”.
10. Visual Noise
Too many fonts, colors, and competing button styles create clutter that confuses the brain. Clarity always beats cleverness.
The Fix:
- Keep it simple.
- Stick to two fonts, a few main colors, and two consistent button styles to keep things professional and easy to navigate.
Your Quick-Win Plan
Don’t feel like you have to fix all ten of these today. Pick one thing to improve this week. Maybe it’s swapping out a stock photo or shortening a form. Small changes lead to big results.
Get the Free Checklist
I’ve put together a PDF that covers everything we went over here. You can use it as a guide while you audit your own site. No email required, just click and download.
Watch the Deeper Dive
Check out the full video below: