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Top 5 Mistakes We See on Local Business Websites (And How to Fix Them)

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Your website is one of the first places people interact with your brand — especially if you’re a small business or nonprofit in Louisiana. But too often, we see local websites that are holding businesses back without even realizing it.

Here are the 5 most common website mistakes we come across (and how to fix them for good).

1. Outdated or DIY Design

First impressions matter. If your site looks like it hasn’t been touched since 2012, visitors may assume your business is behind the times too.
Fix it: Invest in a custom design that’s mobile-friendly, clean, and aligned with your brand personality.

2. Confusing Navigation

If users can't find what they need quickly, they’ll bounce. This is especially true on mobile.
Fix it: Keep navigation simple and consistent. Limit main menu items, add internal links, and prioritize what your audience cares about most.

3. Missing or Weak Calls-to-Action

What should visitors do next? Without clear CTAs, even a beautiful site can underperform.
Fix it: Add obvious, action-driven buttons like “Book a Call,” “Request a Quote,” or “View Services.” Make it easy for users to move forward.

4. No Local SEO or Geo Relevance

If you’re serving Abita Springs, Mandeville, or Baton Rouge — your site should say so. Many small business sites lack local keywords, hurting their visibility in nearby search results.
Fix it: Add your city, parish, or region naturally into your homepage, service pages, and meta descriptions. Consider location-specific blog posts (like this one!).

5. Sluggish Load Times or No Mobile Optimization

Slow sites = lost customers. If your site isn’t fast and mobile-ready, it’s falling behind.
Fix it: Use modern platforms like Webflow or work with a designer (👋 hi!) who prioritizes performance and usability across devices.

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