How to Know if You Have a Good Website (And What to Do if You Don't!)

Your website is often the first impression potential customers have of your business. But how do you know if your website is actually working for you or working against you? Here are the simple signs that will tell you whether your website is helping or hurting your business.

1. Speed Test: Does Your Website Load Fast?

The Simple Test: Visit your website on your phone and count how long it takes to fully load. If it takes more than 3 seconds, you're losing customers.

Why It Matters: Studies show that 50% of visitors will abandon a website that takes more than 3 seconds to load. In today's fast-paced world, people won't wait for slow websites.

How to Check: Use PageSpeed Insights tool (click the link and enter your website URL). You'll get a score out of 100 – anything below 80 means you have a problem.

2. Mobile Test: Does It Work on Your Phone?

The Simple Test: Pull up your website on your phone. Can you easily read everything? Are buttons easy to tap? Does the content fit the screen properly?

Why It Matters: More than 60% of people now search for businesses on their phones. If your website doesn't work well on mobile, you're missing out on the majority of potential customers.

Red Flags to Watch For:

• Text that's too small to read
• Buttons that are hard to tap
• Content that gets cut off on the sides
• Having to zoom in to use the site

3. Professional Appearance: Does It Look Trustworthy?

The Simple Test: Show your website to friends or family members. Ask them: "Does this look professional?" and "Would you trust this business based on this website?"

Why It Matters: People judge businesses within seconds of visiting a website. If your site looks outdated or unprofessional, potential customers will assume your business is too.

Signs of an Unprofessional Website:

• Looks like it was built in 2005
• Stock photos that don't relate to your business
• Difficult to find contact information
• Broken links or missing pages
• Poor spelling or grammar

4. Security Check: Is Your Website Safe?

The Simple Test: Look at your website's URL in the browser. Does it start with "https://" and show a lock icon? If not, your website isn't secure.

Why It Matters: Google warns users when they visit unsecure websites, and search engines rank secure sites higher. Customers won't trust a business with an insecure website.

5. Content Quality: Is Your Information Clear and Helpful?

The Simple Test: Can a stranger visiting your website quickly understand what you do, where you're located, and how to contact you?

Essential Information Every Website Needs:

• Clear description of your services
• Your location and service areas
• Phone number and email
• Business hours
• Customer reviews or testimonials

6. Lead Generation: Is Your Website Bringing in Customers?

The Simple Test: Ask yourself: "When was the last time someone contacted me through my website?" If you can't remember, your website isn't working.

Signs Your Website Isn't Generating Leads:

• No contact forms or they're hard to find
• No clear call-to-action buttons
• Visitors can't easily figure out how to hire you
• No way to showcase your work, expertise and reviews

7. Search Visibility: Can People Find You Online?

The Simple Test: Google your business name and services in your area. Do you show up on the first page? If not, your website has SEO problems.

Why It Matters: If people can't find you when they search for your services, your website might as well not exist.

What to Do if Your Website Fails These Tests

If your website failed several of these tests, don't panic. The good news is that these problems can be fixed, and you have options:

Option 1: Try to Fix It Yourself

This works if you have time, technical skills, and patience. However, most business owners find this frustrating and time-consuming.

Option 2: Partner with Lamplighter

This is where Lamplighter Web Design comes in. We specialize in creating custom, fast websites that pass all these tests with flying colors.

Ready to Get a Website That Actually Works?

Don't let a poor website cost you customers. Contact me today to hear your options. I'll analyze your current website and show you exactly how we can improve it.

Get Started Today:

• Call or Text: (719) 357-8727
• Email: joe@lamplighterwebdesign.com
• Contact Form