Is your website hurting your business?
Let’s be real. You’re not lazy. You’re busy.
You’re running your business, putting out fires, keeping clients happy, and trying to survive load shedding, rising costs, and ever-changing digital trends.
But while you’re focused on doing the work, your website might be silently chasing potential customers away.
I’ve reviewed a lot of business websites across South Africa, from plumbers and accountants to consultants, doctors, and coaches. And I see the same 5 issues again and again.
These aren’t just “mistakes.” They’re revenue leaks.
Let’s fix that.
1. Your South African website doesn’t say what you do, or who it’s for fast enough
Most visitors decide whether to stay on your website in under 5 seconds.
That’s it.
So, when someone lands on your homepage, they’re silently asking:
- Am I in the right place?
- Do these people help someone like me?
- Can I trust them?
If your homepage headline is vague, generic, or “clever but confusing,” people won’t stick around to figure it out.
How this hurts you
Potential clients bounce before they read a single paragraph. Even if you’re exactly what they need.
What to do
- Replace buzzwords like “We provide innovative solutions” with something specific:
“Accounting and tax services for Cape Town freelancers.”
- Use subheadings to explain the benefit of working with you.
- Include a clear CTA above the fold: “Get a free quote,” “Schedule a call,” or “Book now.”
Your website has one job: earn attention and build trust instantly.
2. Your services page is vague, and it’s costing you sales
Imagine walking into a store, asking what they sell, and the person behind the counter just shrugs and says, “A bit of everything.”
That’s how your services page feels when:
- Everything is jammed into one paragraph.
- You list what you do but not why it matters.
- There’s no pricing, process, or examples.
How this hurts you
People click away confused, overwhelmed, or unconvinced, and they never contact you.
What to do
- Create a separate page or section for each core service.
- Explain who it’s for, what problem it solves, and how it works.
- Add pricing, turnaround time, or a short FAQ to build trust.
Want to stand out in your industry?
Be the South African business that explains things clearly.
3. Your website feels abandoned, and that’s a red flag for customers
I see it too often:
- Blog last updated in 2019.
- Team members no longer there.
- Broken links to social media or contact pages.
Even if you’re doing great work offline, your website says: “We don’t pay attention to details.”
And people notice.
How this hurts you
It creates doubt: Are they still open? Are they reliable? Will they respond if I reach out?
What to do
- Do a quarterly content check. Update staff bios, services, and dates.
- Remove or replace anything that looks stale.
- Test all your contact forms and buttons.
A fresh, maintained website doesn’t just build trust. It signals that you’re active, professional, and invested in your clients.
4. Your contact info is hard to find. So, people just don’t bother.
Here’s what I’ve seen:
You offer a great service. Your pricing is fair. But people leave your website without contacting you.
Why?
Because they couldn’t find:
- A phone number
- A clickable WhatsApp link
- A form that actually works
- An email address that looks legit
People don’t want to hunt for a way to get in touch. They want it instantly.
How this hurts you
Every second of confusion = fewer enquiries. It’s that simple.
What to do
- Put your contact details at the top and bottom of every page.
- Add a WhatsApp button for mobile users (very effective in SA).
- Include social proof nearby: “Trusted by over 500 clients in Joburg.”
Make it dead simple for someone to say, “Yes, I want this. Let me reach out.”
5. Your site isn’t mobile-friendly, and that’s a dealbreaker in 2025
More than 60% of internet use in South Africa is mobile.
So, if your site:
- Has tiny text,
- Broken menus,
- Or images that take forever to load…
…you’ve already lost the game before it began.
How this hurts you
You frustrate potential clients at their first touchpoint. And they never return.
What to do
- Open your site on your own phone. If it’s slow, clunky, or hard to read—fix it.
- Ask your web developer to optimize your layout for mobile.
- Test your load time using PageSpeed Insights.
In a mobile-first world, a non-mobile site says, “We’re behind.”
Don’t let that be the first thing people think about your business.
Your website should work with you, not against you
You didn’t build your business to be a web expert, but your website is one of your most powerful sales tools.
If it’s not:
- Clear,
- Useful,
- Or trustworthy…
…you’re leaving money on the table every day.
But you don’t need to rebuild from scratch.
You just need to fix the small things that make a big difference.
Want help spotting the gaps?
I offer a free, no-pressure mini website audit for South African business owners.
You’ll get:
- Personal feedback on what’s working (and what’s not),
- Actionable tips to improve your content,
- And zero jargon or sales pressure.
Email me directly at evdscopy@gmail.com. Let’s get your website working for you again.