3 Signs Your Website Is Hurting Your Sales (and How to Fix It)

May 14

Written By Mary Boyden

Let me guess. You’ve got the talent, the clients, the passion, and the Instagram grid of dreams... but your website?

It’s either:

A glorified placeholder
A digital museum from 2017
Or worse — a chaotic maze with no exit sign and zero checkout line

If that’s you, you’re not alone.

I’ve worked with so many incredible creatives who were crushing it in spite of their websites.

But let me tell you something that might sting a little:

Your website is either helping you sell — or quietly costing you clients every single day.

It’s harsh, I know. But also? It’s fixable.

I’m a website and branding designer based in Austin, Texas. I specialize in helping creatives, influencers, and service providers build websites that not only look good but actually work. That means more inquiries, more ideal clients, and more sales — without relying solely on the algorithm gods.

So, if you're wondering whether your website might be doing more harm than good, here are three red flags to watch out for:

Sign #1: It Looks DIY (Even If You’re Not)

I see this all the time: a wildly talented business owner with a beautiful service or product… and a website that looks like it was built during a weekend YouTube binge.

Here’s the problem: whether we like it or not, people judge the quality of your work based on the way your website looks. If it feels clunky, dated, or pieced together, they subconsciously assume your service is the same.

That doesn’t mean you need to spend $10K on a site with moving animations and custom code. It just means your site should reflect the current version of your brand — not the version from when you were still figuring it all out.

Fix it with:

Clean, consistent branding
Professional photography (or high-quality content you shot yourself)
A site that feels intentional and high-end, even if it’s built on Squarespace or Showit

Sign #2: It’s Confusing to Navigate

Your dream client lands on your site. They love your vibe. They’re interested.

And then… nothing.

They scroll around. They click a few things.

They get lost.

They leave.

The end.

Here’s the deal: your website has about 8 seconds to convince someone to stick around. That means your messaging, layout, and navigation need to be clear and friction-free.

They should know who you are, what you do, and how to hire you immediately.

No scavenger hunts. No mystery links. No “let me know if you want pricing” guesswork.

Fix it with:

Clear calls-to-action on every page
Simple menu structure (no more than 5–6 items)
Buttons that actually lead somewhere helpful (like a contact page or booking form)
Strategic copywriting that tells your client why you are the answer they’ve been Googling at 2 a.m.

Sign #3: You're Getting Traffic, but No One’s Converting

Maybe you’re doing everything right on social. You’re showing up, you’re engaging, you’re sending people to your website... and they go. They just don’t do anything once they get there.

This one hurts, because it feels invisible. You think the marketing part is working, but your inquiries are crickets.

That’s usually because your site isn’t built with conversion in mind. A pretty site isn’t enough.

You need structure, strategy, and psychology behind every click.

Fix it with:

Social proof (testimonials, logos, features, past client wins)
A clear offer with next steps (not just a portfolio page and a “get in touch” form)
Easy, quick contact options (think: embedded form or direct Calendly link)
Messaging that speaks to your client's pain points — not just your services

The Good News? This Is All Fixable.

You don’t have to start from scratch. You don’t have to hire a huge agency.

You just need a site that reflects where your business is headed — not where it started.

If you’re an Austin-based creative, influencer, or entrepreneur scaling your business and ready for a website that works with you instead of against you, I’ve got you.

I’m currently booking 5 custom website design spots this month. Each project is tailored, strategic, and done-for-you — from the layout to the copy, and everything in between.