7 Website Mistakes That Push Visitors Away

Key Takeaways

“You never get a second chance to make a first impression.” – Will Rogers

Your website is more than just an online presence, it’s the first impression, the front door, and sometimes the only touchpoint a visitor has with your brand.

Whether you’re guiding people through meaningful journeys, offering healing and insight, sharing cultural knowledge, or driving discovery and innovation, your work deserves a site that welcomes visitors with clarity and confidence.

But what if your website is unintentionally making people feel lost, overwhelmed, or unsure?

When that happens, even the most passionate missions and brilliant ideas can fall flat. If your site isn’t working for you, or for your audience, it might be quietly turning people away. Here are seven signs it’s time for a refresh (and how to fix them).

1. It loads slower than your morning coffee brews ☕

The problem: Today’s visitors expect instant gratification. If your site takes longer than 3 seconds to load, most users will bounce before even seeing your homepage.

The fix:

• Compress your images (big files = slow sites)
• Enable browser caching
• Audit your plugins, less is often more
• Use a reliable hosting provider with solid performance metrics

2. It’s not mobile-friendly 📱

The problem: More than half of all web traffic comes from mobile devices. If your site forces users to pinch, zoom, or scroll sideways, they’ll leave.

The fix:

• Use responsive design (most modern platforms support this)
• Check your site on multiple screen sizes and various devices
• Make buttons and navigation easy to tap, not just click

3. The homepage says everything… and nothing 😵

The problem: When your homepage tries to say too much, it ends up saying nothing clearly. People can’t connect to your story if they don’t know what it is.

The fix:

• Lead with a simple headline that says what you do and who you help
• Use concise sections with space to breathe and visuals to guide visitors
• Add one clear call-to-action above the fold

4. It looks like it hasn’t changed since 2012 💾

The problem: An outdated design can send the wrong message, even when your mission is timeless. People associate modern design with relevance and trust.

The fix:

• Embrace whitespace and legible fonts
• Use authentic, high-quality images and remove any dated stock photos
• Update your copyright date, it’s a small detail that builds trust
• Refresh the overall layout to reflect your brand’s growth

5. Your call-to-action is missing or confusing ❓

The problem: If visitors don’t know what to do next—whether it’s to donate, book a call, or read more—they’ll simply leave.

The fix:

• Make your CTAs clear, visible, and actionable
• Use language that connects emotionally: “Join us,” “Explore more,” “Find your path”
• Limit CTAs to one clear action per section / page

6. It’s not accessible to all users ♿

The problem: A beautiful message still falls short if it’s not accessible to everyone. If people with disabilities can’t engage with your site, you’re leaving potential supporters behind.

The fix:

• Add alt text to images
• Ensure good color contrast for text readability
• Make your site navigable without a mouse
• Follow WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) for a more inclusive experience

7. It doesn’t feel like you 🫶

The problem: A generic website won’t reflect the richness of what you offer. Whether you’re sharing experiences, promoting wellness, or inspiring discovery, people need to feel the heartbeat behind your brand.

The fix:

• Infuse your mission, values, and voice throughout your content
• Use visuals that reflect your culture, community, and impact
• Let your story shine through design, copy, and structure
• Show the why behind the what

Your website should feel like an invitation, not a barrier.

It should inspire curiosity, build trust, and offer a smooth path to engagement, whether that’s attending a performance, planning a visit, joining a program, or learning something new.

If your site feels off, outdated, or disconnected from who you are, it might be time for a change. Whether you make small tweaks or plan a full redesign, you deserve a website that actually works for you and welcomes the people you’re trying to reach.

Need a fresh perspective?

Let’s chat and find the simplest way to turn your website into a masterpiece that connects, converts, and reflects your mission.

“The details are not the details. They make the design.” – Charles Eames