You can have plenty of people visiting your website and still hear nothing. No calls, no forms, no messages. It’s frustrating, especially if you’re paying for ads to get them there.
The good news is that the reasons are usually simple, and most of them are quick to fix.
1. It’s hard to use on a phone
Most people looking for a local tradesperson or business are on their phone. If your text is tiny, buttons are hard to tap or the page needs zooming, they’ll go back to Google and pick someone else.
Quick check: Open your website on your own phone. Can you read everything easily and tap your phone number without zooming?
2. It’s slow
Every extra second a page takes to load, more people give up. Large photos, old website builders and lots of plugins are the usual culprits.
Quick check: Put your web address into Google’s free PageSpeed Insights tool and look at the mobile score.
3. It’s not obvious what you do or where
Visitors should know within a few seconds: what you do, which area you cover, and how to get in touch. If your homepage opens with a vague slogan or a big photo with no text, people have to work too hard.
The fix: Make your main heading say exactly what you do and where. For example, “Roof repairs and new roofs across Norwich and Norfolk” beats “Quality you can trust”.
4. Your phone number is hidden
It sounds obvious, but many sites hide the number at the bottom of the page or on a separate contact page. If someone’s ready to call, don’t make them hunt.
The fix: Put your number at the top of every page, and make it tappable on mobile.
5. There’s no reason to trust you
People are letting you into their home or trusting you with their money. Without reviews, photos of real work or any proof you’re established, they’ll hesitate.
The fix: Add a few genuine reviews, photos of your own work (not stock photos), and any accreditations or memberships you have.
6. The contact form asks for too much
Long forms put people off. If you’re asking for their full address, budget, timescale and life story before they can send a message, many won’t bother.
The fix: Ask for the basics: name, phone number and a short message. You can get the rest when you speak to them.
7. Your ads promise one thing and the page says another
If your ad says “Emergency plumber, 1 hour response” but the page talks about bathroom design, people bounce straight off.
The fix: Make sure the page your ads link to matches what the ad promised.
A good website pays for itself
A website that turns more visitors into enquiries makes everything else work harder, including your Google listing, your ads and word of mouth.
If you’d like a fresh pair of eyes on yours, or a new site built to bring in enquiries, take a look at my website design service. I can even build you a free preview before you decide.