A good website should work quietly in the background, bringing in enquiries, bookings, and customers while you get on with running your business. But across Whitby and the surrounding areas, I see the same website problems cropping up again and again.
Most of the time, these mistakes aren’t caused by bad intentions or laziness. They usually come from businesses that don’t know where to start, use outdated advice, or try to save money early on, only to pay for it later.
The good news is that every one of these issues is fixable. If you already have a website, this post will help you spot what might be holding it back. If you’re planning a new one, it will help you avoid the common pitfalls from the start. Many of these issues can be avoided with precise planning and a professional Whitby website design that’s built around how local customers actually browse and search.
1. Websites that don’t work properly on mobiles
This is the biggest issue I see with Whitby business websites.
Many customers are browsing on their phones, especially tourists walking around town, people searching in the evening, or anyone quickly Googling a service. If your website is stiff to read, slow, or awkward to use on a mobile, people won’t stick around.
How to fix it
Your website should be designed mobile-first, not adapted as an afterthought. Text should be easy to read, buttons easy to tap, and key information, such as contact details, instantly visible. A mobile-friendly website isn’t a bonus anymore; it’s essential. A properly built website design for Whitby businesses should prioritise mobile users from the very start, not treat it as an afterthought.
2. Slow-loading websites that lose visitors
If your website takes more than a couple of seconds to load, visitors will leave. It’s that simple.
Slow sites are often caused by oversized images, poor hosting, outdated builders, or too many unnecessary features running in the background. This affects not only visitors but also how well your site performs on Google.
How to fix it
Optimise images, remove anything you don’t need, and use reliable hosting. A clean, well-built website will load faster and give customers a better experience from the first click.
3. Not being clear about what the business actually does
This one surprises people, but it’s incredibly common.
You land on a homepage and… it looks nice, but you’re not sure what the business offers, who it’s for, or what to do next. Visitors shouldn’t have to work it out.
How to fix it
Your homepage should clearly explain what you do within seconds. Simple language, clear headings, and a strong opening message make all the difference. Tell people exactly how you can help and guide them to the next step.
4. No clear call to action
Many Whitby business websites forget actually to ask visitors to do something.
If there’s no obvious way to get in touch, request a quote, or make a booking, people will move on to the next option. Even interested visitors need direction.
How to fix it
Every page should gently guide users towards an action. That might be a call, a contact form, or an enquiry email. Clear buttons and friendly prompts work far better than relying on people to figure it out themselves.
5. Outdated design that hurts credibility
First impressions matter. A website that looks old-fashioned or neglected can make a business seem less professional, even if the service itself is excellent.
Design trends move on, and websites built years ago often don’t reflect how customers expect a modern business to look online.
How to fix it
You don’t always need a complete rebuild. Sometimes, a design refresh, updated fonts, cleaner layouts, and better images are enough to modernise your site and rebuild trust. Updating layouts, fonts, and visuals using professional graphic design services can instantly improve how trustworthy your business feels online.
6. Missing or poor local SEO
A lot of Whitby businesses have websites that look fine, but never appear in local search results.
This usually comes down to missing location details, weak page structure, no local keywords, or no connection between the website and Google Business Profile.
How to fix it
Your website should clearly mention Whitby and the surrounding areas where relevant, use proper headings, and link to your Google Business Profile. Local SEO isn’t about tricks, it’s about clarity and consistency.
7. Stock photos that don’t feel genuine
Generic stock photos can make a website feel impersonal, especially for local businesses where trust matters.
People like to see who they’re dealing with, where you’re based, and what makes your business different.
How to fix it
Using real photos of your work, your premises, or even simple behind-the-scenes images helps build trust. You don’t need a whole photoshoot, just authentic visuals that reflect your business. Strong brand design paired with authentic imagery helps local businesses feel more genuine and recognisable.
8. Websites that are impossible to update
Some businesses avoid updating their websites because it feels complicated, risky, or confusing. Over time, information becomes outdated, offers disappear, and the site no longer accurately reflects the business.
How to fix it
Your website should be easy to manage, with clear instructions and support available if you need it. Even minor updates can make a big difference to how fresh and relevant your site feels.
Why fixing these mistakes matters
Your website is often the first impression customers get of your business. If it’s slow, confusing, or outdated, people may never get far enough to contact you.
A well-designed website doesn’t need to be flashy. It needs to be straightforward, fast, easy to use, and built around your customers.
Need help fixing your website?
If you’re based in Whitby and feel like your website could be doing more for your business, I can help. Whether that’s a complete redesign, a refresh, or simply pointing out what’s holding your site back, a straightforward conversation is often the best place to start.
If you’re looking for a reliable Whitby website designer to improve or rebuild your site, I’m happy to have a straightforward chat about what would work best for your business.