Top 5 Website Mistakes Startups Make (And How to Fix Them)
If your website isn’t converting, chances are you’re making at least one of these.
A website can be your startup’s biggest asset—or its biggest weakness. In this guide, we break down the five most common website mistakes startups make, explain how they harm your growth, and show you exactly how to fix them. Plus, you’ll get access to our free Website Launch Checklist, used by real businesses to launch with confidence.
⚠️ Mistake 1: No Clear Call to Action (CTA)
Your website exists to guide your visitors to take action. Without a clear call to action (CTA), most people will simply scroll, skim, and leave.
This is one of the most common startup website mistakes. Founders spend time designing a nice-looking site but forget to be direct about what they want the visitor to do.
Do you want them to book a call, sign up for something, or make a purchase? Then say so—clearly and often.
Here’s how to fix it:
- Place a CTA button in the top section of your homepage: Don’t make users scroll. The CTA should be visible as soon as the page loads.
- Use action-driven text like “Get Started”, “Try It Free”, or “Book a Free Call”: Passive phrases like “Learn More” are less likely to drive clicks.
- Add your CTA in multiple places: Reinforce your message by placing your CTA after each section that explains a benefit, shares a testimonial, or presents your offer.
Remember, if you don’t ask, they won’t act.
⚠️ Mistake 2: Not Mobile-First
phone—before anything else.
Too many startup sites are designed on desktops but fall apart on mobile. This affects not just usability, but also trust and Google rankings.
If your text is tiny, buttons are too close together, or images don’t resize properly, you’ll lose visitors fast.
Here’s how to fix it:
- Choose a responsive design that adapts to screen size: Ensure your site layout automatically adjusts to different devices.
- Test your site on both Android and iPhone devices: Borrow a friend’s phone and try loading each page. Look for any awkward layouts or errors.
- Make buttons large and spaced out for finger taps: Avoid drop-downs or links that are hard to tap on small screens.
- Keep headlines short and readable on smaller screens: Mobile users skim. Short, clear text keeps them engaged.
Google prioritises mobile performance. So should you.
⚠️ Mistake 3: Poor Page Load Speed
Your website has about 3 seconds to load before people bounce. If it’s slow, they’ll leave—and probably won’t return.
Startups often unknowingly upload huge images, stack unnecessary plugins, or settle for cheap hosting, all of which slow things down.
A slow site makes your business look unprofessional. It also affects SEO and lowers conversion rates.
Here’s how to fix it:
- Compress images using free tools like TinyPNG or ImageOptim: These tools reduce file size without affecting image quality.
- Remove plugins you don’t need, especially ones that load on every page: Extra features are great, but too many slow down your entire site.
- Switch to a reliable hosting provider based in the UK for better speed: Hosting close to your users improves performance.
- Use browser caching and lazy loading for images: This ensures that users only download what they need, when they need it.
Speed isn’t a luxury—it’s a necessity.
⚠️ Mistake 4: Overly Complicated Design
When startups try to stand out, they often over-design. The result? A website that’s cluttered, confusing, and hard to navigate.
Visitors should be able to understand your offer within a few seconds. If they’re distracted by animations, wild colours, or too many fonts, they’ll likely click away.
Here’s how to fix it:
- Stick to 2 to 3 consistent brand colours: This creates visual harmony and reinforces your brand.
- Use just 1 or 2 fonts site-wide: Too many fonts make your content look messy and difficult to read.
- Embrace white space—it improves readability and focus: Don’t feel like you have to fill every corner of the screen.
- Make sure your layout is clear and your messaging comes through instantly: Visitors should know who you are, what you offer, and how to take action without hunting for answers.
Simple is powerful. Let your content do the work, not just your visuals.
⚠️ Mistake 5: No Tracking or Analytics
You wouldn’t run a shop without knowing who walked in, what they looked at, or what made them leave. The same logic applies online.
Many startups launch their sites without setting up tracking tools. As a result, they miss out on vital data that could improve performance and conversions.
Here’s how to fix it:
- Install Google Analytics to understand visitor behaviour: Learn how users are finding your site, what they’re looking at, and where they’re dropping off.
- Add a Meta Pixel for retargeting ads on Facebook and Instagram: This allows you to show ads to people who visited your site but didn’t convert.
- Use heatmaps (like Hotjar or Microsoft Clarity) to see where people click or get stuck: These tools offer visual insight into how users interact with your pages.
Even the most basic tracking can show you where your site is working—and where it’s losing customers.
Book a Free Website Discovery Call
Still not sure if your website is doing the job it’s meant to?
We’ve helped startups across the UK build sites that are clean, fast and focused on results. No fluff. No jargon. Just clear strategy.
In your free Website Discovery Call, we’ll:
- Review your current website or idea: We’ll take a look at what you’ve built so far—or what you’re planning.
- Talk through your goals and target audience: We help you define success and align your website with your business plan.
- Map out the most effective plan for your next steps: Whether it’s a redesign, rebuild, or small tweaks, we’ll give you a clear way forward.
✅ Free advice, zero pressure
✅ Honest feedback tailored to your business
✅ Clear roadmap you can follow right away
Frequently Asked Questions
Below, we address common concerns to ease your worries and help you plan confidently, building on the insights above.
Ask someone who doesn’t know your business to visit your homepage. If they can’t tell what you want them to do in 5 seconds, you need to fix your CTA.
Stack your content vertically. Use short, bold headings and large buttons. Make sure everything is easy to tap with a thumb.
Try PageSpeed Insights or GTmetrix. They show what’s slowing you down and offer suggestions.
Everything your startup needs to launch smart: layout tips, SEO basics, mobile checks, CTA guidelines, analytics setup, and more.
