1. Your Website is Painfully Slow
If your website takes more than 3 seconds to load, you’re losing customers. Research shows 53% of mobile users abandon sites that take longer than 3 seconds. In Cornwall’s competitive tourism and hospitality markets, that’s the difference between a booking and a lost opportunity.
How to test your speed
Visit PageSpeed Insights (a free Google tool) and enter your website URL. You’ll get a score and specific recommendations for improvement.
How to fix it
Start by compressing your images before uploading them – aim for under 200KB per image using free tools like TinyPNG or Squoosh. Enable caching through your hosting control panel or a plugin like WP Super Cache. Remove any unnecessary plugins or scripts that slow things down.
If your site is still slow after these fixes, the issue might be your hosting provider or fundamental code problems. In these cases, upgrading to better hosting or considering a rebuild on a faster platform may be necessary.
2. It Doesn’t Work Properly on Mobile
Over 60% of web traffic now comes from mobile devices, yet many Cornish business websites still don’t work properly on phones. Text is too small to read, buttons are impossible to tap, or the menu doesn’t work at all.
How to test
Pull out your phone right now and visit your website. Try on both iPhone and Android if possible. Can you easily read the text without zooming? Do buttons work when you tap them? Does the navigation menu function correctly?
How to fix it
If your website isn’t responsive (doesn’t automatically adapt to different screen sizes), there’s no quick fix – you need a rebuild. Responsive design must be built into the website’s foundation; it can’t be added as an afterthought.
When rebuilding or creating a new site, ensure your developer uses responsive design frameworks or builds with a mobile-first approach. Test thoroughly on real devices before launch.
3. Your Contact Information is Hidden or Missing
You’d be surprised how many websites make it difficult to find basic contact information. If potential customers can’t easily find your phone number, email, or address, they’ll simply move on to a competitor who makes it easier.
How to fix it
Put your phone number in the header of every page and make it clickable on mobile (use tel: links). Include a clear “Contact” link in your main navigation. Add your full contact details in the footer of every page.
Consider adding a contact form on every page, not just a dedicated contact page. The easier you make it for customers to reach you, the more likely they’ll actually do it.
Pro tip
For Cornish businesses serving local areas, include your full address and a Google Map on your contact page. This helps with local SEO and makes it easy for customers to find you.
4. You’re Not Showing Up on Google
Having a beautiful website means nothing if nobody can find it. Many Cornish businesses launch their site without basic SEO, meaning they’re essentially invisible to potential customers searching for their services.
Basic SEO checklist
- Optimize your page titles and meta descriptions with relevant keywords
- Add descriptive alt text to all images
- Create and submit a sitemap to Google Search Console
- Ensure your site has an SSL certificate (URL starts with https://)
- Include location-specific keywords naturally in your content (Cornwall, your town, etc.)
- Claim and optimize your Google Business Profile
Free tools to help
Google Search Console (shows how you appear in search), Ubersuggest or Google Keyword Planner (for keyword research), and Yoast SEO or Rank Math (WordPress plugins that guide optimization).
When to get professional help
If SEO feels overwhelming or you’re in a competitive industry, professional SEO services can provide comprehensive keyword research, competitor analysis, and technical optimization that makes a real difference.
5. Your Images Look Terrible
Blurry photos, inconsistent sizing, and poor lighting make even expensive websites look unprofessional. In visual industries like hospitality, retail, or tourism, bad photography directly impacts bookings and sales.
How to fix it
Invest in professional photography if your budget allows – it makes a massive difference. If that’s not feasible, use high-quality stock images from sites like Unsplash or Pexels (free) or premium sites like Adobe Stock.
DIY photo improvement
- Use natural lighting whenever possible
- Keep backgrounds clean and uncluttered
- Ensure images are in focus and properly exposed
- Edit for consistent brightness and color across all photos
- Resize images appropriately for web use (1920px wide maximum for full-width images)
Free editing tools like Canva or GIMP can help with basic photo editing and resizing.
6. Your Website Hasn’t Been Updated in Years
Outdated content, old copyright dates, and references to past events immediately tell visitors your business isn’t active or professional. It destroys trust before you’ve even had a chance to make your pitch.
Quick wins
- Update the copyright year in your footer
- Remove references to past events or outdated information
- Update team photos and bios
- Refresh your blog or news section (or remove it if you’re not maintaining it)
- Check all links still work (use a free tool like Dead Link Checker)
Prevention
Set a calendar reminder to review your website content quarterly. Even 30 minutes every three months keeps things current and prevents the “abandoned website” impression.
If updating is difficult because your website platform is complicated, consider moving to a more user-friendly system with a Content Management System (CMS) like WordPress, which makes updates simple.
7. You’re Missing a Clear Call-to-Action
Visitors arrive on your site and then… what? Many Cornish business websites lack clear direction. Should visitors call you? Book online? Request a quote? If you don’t tell them what to do next, they’ll do nothing.
How to fix it
Every page needs a clear call-to-action (CTA). Examples: “Book Now,” “Call Today,” “Get a Free Quote,” “Schedule Consultation,” “Shop Now,” “Download Guide.”
Best practices
- Make CTA buttons prominent with contrasting colors
- Place them above the fold (visible without scrolling)
- Use action-oriented language (verbs: get, book, call, download)
- Repeat CTAs throughout longer pages
- Make it obvious what happens when they click
For Cornwall based service businesses
Make your phone number prominent and clickable on mobile. Many local customers prefer calling directly rather than filling out forms.
8. Your Site Isn’t Secure (No HTTPS)
If your URL starts with “http://” instead of “https://”, your site isn’t secure. Browsers now display warning messages on non-HTTPS sites, and Google penalizes them in search rankings. This immediately damages trust and visibility.
How to fix it
Install an SSL certificate. Most modern hosting providers offer free SSL certificates through Let’s Encrypt. Check with your hosting provider – they likely offer free SSL and can install it for you, or provide instructions.
Why it matters
- Browsers warn visitors about non-secure sites
- Google prioritizes HTTPS sites in search rankings
- Customers won’t trust entering personal information on non-secure sites
- It’s becoming a basic expectation, not a premium feature
9. You’re Not Targeting Cornwall Based Customers Specifically
Generic content that could apply to any business anywhere doesn’t resonate with Cornish customers. Local businesses need local optimisation – mentioning Cornwall locations, understanding local customer needs, and ranking for location-specific searches.
How to fix it
- Update your content to include Cornwall-specific keywords naturally
- Mention the towns and areas you serve
- Add a Google Map showing your location
- Claim and optimize your Google Business Profile
- Create location-specific pages if you serve multiple Cornwall areas
- Write blog content about Cornwall-specific topics or issues
Keywords to target
Instead of just “accountant,” target “accountant Falmouth” or “accountant Cornwall.” Instead of “holiday cottage,” target “holiday cottage St Ives” or “Cornwall holiday rental.”
Local searches have high intent – people searching “restaurant near me” or “plumber Helston” are ready to become customers right now.
10. Your Website Doesn’t Match Your Brand
Inconsistent colors, random fonts, logos that don’t match your business cards, or a general “cobbled together” look destroys professionalism. Your website should be a seamless extension of your overall brand identity.
How to fix it
If you don’t have established branding, start by defining:
- 2-3 brand colors (use them consistently)
- 2 fonts (one for headings, one for body text)
- Logo usage rules (sizing, placement, color variations)
Free branding tools
Coolors.co (color palette generator), Google Fonts (free professional fonts), Canva (create simple logos and branded graphics).
When to invest in professional branding
If your business success depends heavily on visual presentation (restaurants, accommodations, retail, creative services), professional branding design is worth the investment. It includes logo design, color palettes, typography selection, and brand guidelines.
Once you have clear branding, ensure your website implements it consistently across every page. Your website should look like it belongs to the same business as your business cards, signage, and social media.
Quick Website Health Check
Not sure if your site has these problems? Here’s a quick 5-minute health check:
- Load your site on your phone. Does everything work? Can you easily find your phone number and tap to call?
- Google your business name. Do you appear in the top results? Does your site have the padlock icon (HTTPS)?
- Have a friend try to contact you through your site. How easy is it? How many clicks does it take?
- Check your site speed. Visit PageSpeed Insights and test your site. Is it scoring green (good) or red (poor)?
- Look at your site with fresh eyes. Does it look professional and current? Or dated and neglected?
If you found issues in 3 or more areas, it’s time to seriously consider addressing these problems or investing in a website refresh.
The Cost of Doing Nothing
Every day you delay fixing these issues is another day of lost customers. A potential client visits your slow, non-mobile-friendly site and immediately clicks back to Google to find your competitor. Someone searches for your services in Cornwall but finds competitors instead because your SEO is neglected. A customer tries to contact you but gives up because your phone number is buried three clicks deep.
These aren’t theoretical problems – they’re costing you real revenue right now. The good news is that fixing them is more affordable than you think, and the return on investment is often immediate.
Whether you tackle these fixes yourself or hire professional help, the important thing is taking action. Your website should be working for your business, not against it.