If you’re like most business owners, you probably don’t have time to sit around and troubleshoot website problems. And if you’re not a website developer, it can be difficult to know where to start. In this blog post, we will outline the most common website problems (and how to fix them!) so that you can get back to running your business.
Common website problems can be broadly categorized into four categories: technical issues, design issues, content issues, and search engine optimization issues. Let’s take a look at each of these categories in more detail.
Technical Issues
- Website crashes or is slow to load
- Images don’t appear correctly
- Links are broken
- Forms are not working
Design Issues
- Website looks dated
- Navigation is confusing
- Fonts and colors are not consistent
- Page layout is cluttered
- Website is not mobile friendly
Content Issues
- Content is outdated or irrelevant
- Content is plagiarized
- Content is poorly written
- There is no call to action
Search Engine Optimization (SEO) Issues
- Website is not optimized for SEO
- Website has duplicate content
- Website has thin content
- Website is not ranking
- Website is not optimized for keywords
- Website does not have backlinks
If you’re experiencing any of the above problems with your website, don’t despair! There are usually relatively easy solutions. We’ll go through each problem and provide some tips on how to fix it.
Technical Issues
Website crashes or is slow to load:
This could be caused by a variety of factors, including a poor website hosting service, excessive website traffic, or a problem with your website’s code. If you suspect that your website hosting service is the culprit, try contacting their customer support to see if they can help resolve the issue. If you’re getting a lot of website traffic, it might be time to upgrade to a better hosting plan. And if the problem is with your website’s code, you’ll need to hire a website developer to take a look and fix any errors.
Images don’t appear correctly:
This is usually caused by an incorrect file path or a typo in the image tag. Check the file path of the images in question and make sure that they are correct. If the file paths are correct, then check the image tags for any typos.
Links are broken:
Links can become broken for a variety of reasons, including website changes, typo’s, and expired domains. If you find a broken link on your website, try to locate the page that it is linking to and see if you can find an updated link. If you can’t find an updated link, then you’ll need to remove the broken link from your website.
Forms are not working:
If your website forms are not working, it is likely due to a problem with the form code or the server that the form is trying to submit to. If you’re not a website developer, you’ll need to hire someone to take a look and fix any errors.
Design Issues
Website looks dated:
If your website looks like it was created in the early 2000s, it’s probably time for a redesign. A website redesign can be a big project, but it will be worth it in the end. You’ll need to hire a website designer to create a new website design that is modern and responsive.
Navigation is confusing:
If your website navigation is confusing, it will be difficult for visitors to find what they are looking for. The solution is to simplify your website navigation by creating clear and concise menus. You should also consider adding a search function to help visitors find what they need.
Fonts and colors are not consistent:
If your website fonts and colors are all over the place, it will look unprofessional. The solution is to choose a limited color palette and stick to it. You should also choose two or three fonts that you will use throughout your website.
Page layout is cluttered:
If your website page layout is cluttered, it will be difficult for visitors to find the information they are looking for. The solution is to use white space to create a more visually appealing and user-friendly website. You should also consider using grid systems or templates to create a more consistent website layout.
Website is not mobile friendly:
If your website is not mobile friendly, you’re missing out on a lot of potential website visitors. The solution is to create a responsive website design that will adjust to any screen size. You can either hire a website designer to create a new design or use a responsive website template.
Content Issues
Content is outdated or irrelevant:
If your website content is outdated or irrelevant, it will be a turn-off for visitors. The solution is to regularly update your website content and make sure that it is relevant to your target audience. You should also consider adding fresh content on a regular basis, such as blog posts or news articles.
Content is plagiarized:
If your website content is plagiarized, it will not only be a turn-off for visitors, but it could also get you into legal trouble. The solution is to rewrite any plagiarized content and make sure that all of your content is original. If you’re not a writer, you can hire a professional to help you create original content.
Content is poorly written:
If your website content is poorly written, it will be a turn-off for visitors. The solution is to hire a professional writer to help you create well-written and error-free content. You can also use editing and proofreading tools to improve your website content.
There is no call to action:
If your website doesn’t have a call to action, visitors may not know what you want them to do. The solution is to add a clear and concise call to action on every page of your website. You should also consider using buttons or other visual elements to make your call to action stand out.
SEO Issues
Website is not Optimized for SEO:
If your website is not optimized for SEO, it will be difficult for visitors to find your website in the search engines. The solution is to hire an SEO expert to help you optimize your website for the search engines. You can also use SEO tools and resources to improve your website’s SEO.
Website has duplicate content:
If your website has duplicate content, it will be difficult for visitors to find the information they are looking for. The solution is to remove any duplicate content from your website. You can also use 301 redirects to point search engines and visitors to the correct page.
Website has thin content:
If your website has thin content, it will be difficult for visitors to find the information they are looking for. The solution is to add more content to your website. You can also use internal linking to help search engines and visitors find the information they need.
Website is not ranking:
If your website is not ranking in the search engines, it will be difficult for visitors to find your website. The first step is to check your website’s code and make sure it is optimized for the search engines. If your website’s code is not optimized, you will need to hire a website developer to fix the problem.
Website is not optimized for keywords:
If your website is not optimized for the right keywords, you will be missing out on potential website visitors. You can use Google AdWords Keyword Planner to research which keywords to target.
Website does not have backlinks:
If your website does not have any backlinks, it will be difficult for visitors to find your website. In order to get backlinks, you can create high-quality content and submit it to popular website directories. If you have bad backlinks, you can use Google’s disavow tool to remove them.
Bonus problems & solutions:
- Your website loads slowly: The solution is to optimize your website’s images and code. You can also use a content delivery network (CDN) to improve your website’s loading time.
- You are not tracking your website’s traffic: The solution is to use Google Analytics or another website traffic tracking tool.
- Your website is hacked: The solution is to clean up your website’s code and remove any malicious files. You can also use a security plugin or service to help protect your website from future attacks.
- You need more website traffic: The solution is to use website promotion techniques such as search engine optimization (SEO), social media marketing, and email marketing. You can also use website advertising to reach a wider audience.
- Your website does not have an SSL certificate: The solution is to install an SSL certificate on your website. You can also use a security plugin or service to help protect your website from future attacks.
Final thoughts
Developing and maintaining a website can be a lot of work. However, by following the tips in this blog post, you can avoid some of the most common website problems. If you need help with your website, be sure to contact a professional website development company like Graticle. We are always happy to help!
Graticle Design is a website design, development, and hosting company located in Longview, Washington. We have over 15 years of experience helping businesses with their website needs. Contact us today for a free consultation! (360) 450-3711
