Running a small business is challenging enough without having to worry about whether your website is doing its job—bringing in clients. But the truth is, many small businesses like barbershops, hair salons, roofing services, and construction companies struggle with this. While you may still get a few calls from existing customers, if your website is outdated, you’re likely losing out on valuable new clients who are ready to book or hire.
In this article, we’ll explore why an outdated website doesn’t convert visitors into paying clients, and we’ll offer practical, actionable tips to turn things around. Whether you own a beauty salon or a construction business, the following insights will help you understand where your website may be falling short—and how to make it a valuable asset for your business.
1. Your Website Looks Outdated
One of the most common reasons small businesses lose potential clients is due to an outdated website design. First impressions matter, and your website is often the first point of contact a potential client has with your business. If your site looks like it hasn’t been updated in five or ten years, visitors may assume your services are just as out-of-date.
Why this matters:
An outdated design can create a lack of trust. Clients are more likely to book an appointment or inquire about services when they feel your business is professional and current.
Solution:
Invest in a modern, clean, and professional website design that reflects your brand. A well-designed website will make your business look more reliable, trustworthy, and professional.
Action step:
Hire a web designer or use platforms like WordPress with modern themes to give your website a fresh, contemporary look that aligns with your business identity.
2. Your Website is Not Mobile-Friendly
With more than 60% of web traffic coming from mobile devices, having a site that isn’t optimized for mobile can cause you to miss out on a huge segment of potential clients. Many small business websites built years ago aren’t responsive, meaning they don’t automatically adjust to fit smartphones and tablets.
Why this matters:
If your website is difficult to navigate on a phone, users will quickly leave and look for an alternative business—likely your competitor who has a mobile-friendly website.
Solution:
Ensure your website is mobile-responsive. This means the layout, images, and text adjust seamlessly depending on the screen size. Google also prioritizes mobile-friendly websites in its rankings, so you’ll see an SEO boost as well.
Action step:
Test your website on various devices. If it doesn’t perform well, consider redesigning it using responsive web design principles or hiring a web developer to help.
3. Slow Loading Times Drive Clients Away
In the fast-paced digital world, no one wants to wait for a slow website. Research shows that if a site takes more than three seconds to load, over half of visitors will abandon it. This is particularly damaging for service-based businesses that rely on local clients, as these visitors may never come back.
Why this matters:
A slow website creates frustration. If a client is looking to book a haircut or roofing service and your site drags, they’ll quickly go elsewhere.
Solution:
Optimize your website’s load times. This involves compressing images, enabling browser caching, and reducing unnecessary code.
Action step:
Use tools like Google PageSpeed Insights to test your website’s speed and identify what’s slowing it down. Make adjustments or hire a professional to ensure your website loads quickly on all devices.
4. Lack of a Clear Call-to-Action (CTA)
You’ve got visitors on your website, but what are you asking them to do? If your old website lacks a clear call-to-action—like a “Book Now” button for barbershops or a “Request a Quote” form for construction companies—visitors may not know what to do next. A client should never have to guess how to contact you or book a service.
Why this matters:
A CTA is a key element that guides visitors to take the desired action, whether it’s booking an appointment, signing up for your newsletter, or requesting more information.
Solution:
Ensure every page on your website has a clear and prominent CTA. It should stand out, be easy to spot, and give visitors a reason to take action. For example, a barbershop might use “Book Your Appointment Today” or a construction company might use “Get Your Free Estimate.”
Action step:
Review your website and make sure there are relevant CTAs on every important page—preferably above the fold so visitors don’t need to scroll to find it.
5. Your Content is Outdated or Irrelevant
Your website’s content plays a huge role in whether potential clients convert. If your last blog post was from 2017 or your service descriptions haven’t changed in years, visitors may assume your business is stagnant. Outdated or irrelevant content can make clients doubt whether you’re still in business or up to date with industry trends.
Why this matters:
Updated content builds trust and keeps your website relevant in search engine rankings. Fresh content—such as blog posts, customer testimonials, or updated service offerings—shows that your business is active and engaged.
Solution:
Update your website’s content regularly. Whether it’s through a blog, recent testimonials, or seasonal promotions, fresh content keeps visitors interested and encourages them to return.
Action step:
Schedule time monthly or quarterly to update your website’s content. If writing isn’t your strength, consider hiring a content writer to keep your site fresh and relevant. Check our Top 5 Blogging Tips.
6. Poor Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
An outdated website likely isn’t optimized for modern SEO best practices, which means you’re probably not showing up in Google search results. If your potential clients can’t find you, your website has little chance of converting visitors.
Why this matters:
SEO ensures that your website ranks higher on search engine results pages (SERPs), making it easier for potential clients to find your business. Local SEO is particularly important for small businesses like salons, barbershops, and construction services.
Solution:
Implement an SEO strategy that includes targeted keywords for your business and location, proper meta tags, alt text for images, and quality backlinks.
Action step:
Start by optimizing your website for Local SEO. This involves using location-based keywords like “barbershop in Bromley” or “roofing services in London” in your website’s content and meta descriptions.
7. No Social Proof or Testimonials
Customers often need reassurance that they’re making the right choice when hiring a service. If your website lacks reviews, testimonials, or examples of past work, it can cause potential clients to hesitate before reaching out.
Why this matters:
Social proof builds credibility. A testimonial from a satisfied customer can make all the difference in converting a visitor into a client.
Solution:
Add testimonials or case studies to your website. This is particularly effective for service-based businesses like salons or roofing companies, where word-of-mouth and trust are key.
Action step:
Reach out to previous clients and ask for reviews or testimonials, and prominently display them on your website. If you’ve done work you’re particularly proud of, consider creating a portfolio or case study section.
Conclusion: Take Action and Let DigiSitio Help
Your old website may be costing you clients, but it doesn’t have to stay that way. By modernizing your design, optimizing your website for mobile and SEO, and updating your content regularly, you can transform your website into a powerful tool for converting visitors into clients.
At DigiSitio, we specialize in helping small businesses like barbershops, hair salons, roofing services, and construction companies redesign their websites to increase traffic and conversions. We don’t just make your website look good—we optimize it for search engines so that the traffic you get turns into real clients, boosting your bottom line.
Ready to take the next step?
Contact DigiSitio today for a website redesign and SEO strategy that will turn your old site into a lead-generating machine.
