Why Most Websites Don’t Work (And How to Fix Yours in 2025)

Your Website Might Look Good — But Is It Working?

For most small businesses in Michigan’s Thumb, a website is like a digital storefront — but many don’t realize it’s also their first salesperson.

It greets your customers, answers their questions, and tells them whether or not to pick up the phone.
The problem? Most websites aren’t built to sell — they’re built to exist.

At Pine Design & Marketing, we’ve reviewed hundreds of local sites, and we see the same five problems over and over again. The good news? They’re fixable — often without a full redesign.

 No Clear Call to Action

A website without a call to action is like a store without a checkout counter.

We see this all the time — a nice layout, a few photos, a catchy slogan… but no clear “next step.” Visitors look around, then leave.

Fix it: Every page needs one main call to action.
Whether it’s “Call Now,” “Request a Quote,” or “Schedule a Consultation,” tell people exactly what to do next.

 Slow Load Times

You might love that big hero video — but if it takes six seconds to load, your customer’s already gone.

Research shows that if a site takes more than 3 seconds to load, over 50% of visitors leave.

 Fix it: Optimize your images, compress your videos, and use a reliable hosting service.
At Pine, we test every website’s speed before launch — because speed isn’t a design choice, it’s a conversion factor.

 Built for You, Not Your Customer

This one’s tough to admit. Many websites are written for the business owner — not the person visiting.

Fix it: Look at your homepage and count how many times it says “we” instead of “you.”
Shift your copy to focus on what the customer wants: results, reliability, and reassurance.

In small towns and tight-knit communities like ours, trust matters more than trendiness. Keep your message human, clear, and benefit-driven.

 No Mobile Optimization

Over 70% of local searches happen on phones. If your site still makes people pinch and zoom, you’re losing business daily.

Fix it: Check your website right now — can someone call or message you with one tap?
If not, it’s time for a mobile-first update.

 Outdated Design = Outdated Impression

Your website doesn’t have to win awards — it just has to look current and consistent.
When people see an outdated site, they assume the business hasn’t changed either.

Fix it: Refresh your branding every few years. Update images, fonts, and colors to reflect your business today — not who you were in 2018.

Final Thought

Your website isn’t a brochure — it’s your most powerful sales tool.
When it’s built with intention, it does the talking for you — while you’re busy running your business.

If your website isn’t performing like it should, we’d love to help you fix it.
Because great design shouldn’t just look good — it should work hard.