Stop Believing These Website Myths: 6 Lies That Are Costing You Customers
Let’s bust a few myths, shall we?
There’s no shortage of bad advice floating around about small business websites. From outdated SEO tips to one-size-fits-all design hacks, it’s no wonder so many entrepreneurs feel confused about how to build a website that actually works.
In this post, I’m breaking down six of the most common myths I hear from small business owners—and giving you the truth that’ll help your site perform better in search results, convert more visitors, and build trust with your audience.
💬 “I just need a website that looks good.”
TRUTH: A beautiful website that doesn’t convert is just expensive art.
Yes, visual appeal matters. People make snap judgments based on how your site looks. But if your website design doesn’t also guide visitors to take action—like contacting you, scheduling a call, or buying your product—it’s not doing its job.
Great website design balances form and function. That means your site should not only look good on desktop and mobile devices, but it should also be strategically structured, with clear calls-to-action, keyword-optimized content, intuitive navigation, and fast load times. A beautiful website with no plan behind it is just decoration.
💬 “SEO is just about keywords.”
TRUTH: SEO is about strategy, structure, and user experience—keywords are just one part.
Too many small businesses treat SEO like it’s a game of cramming in buzzwords. The truth is that search engine optimization for websites involves multiple layers: page speed, mobile responsiveness, internal linking, structured content, meta descriptions, alt text, and more.
If your site is slow, hard to navigate, or lacks clarity, Google won’t prioritize it—no matter how many keywords you’ve sprinkled in. A solid SEO website strategy starts with understanding your audience’s intent and building content that solves their problems.
💬 “My business doesn’t need a mobile-optimized website.”
TRUTH: If your site isn’t mobile-friendly, you’re losing over half your audience.
We’re way past the point where mobile optimization is optional. More than half of all website traffic comes from mobile devices, and Google uses mobile-first indexing—meaning it prioritizes your mobile site when ranking pages.
Mobile-friendly website design isn’t just about layout. It’s about fast loading, thumb-friendly buttons, simple forms, and content that’s easy to read without zooming. A site that doesn’t work on a phone is a site that doesn’t work—period.
💬 “The homepage is the most important page.”
TRUTH: Every page is a landing page.
Yes, your homepage gets a lot of love. But many people will enter your site through blog posts, service pages, or local search listings. That means every page needs to be clear, optimized, and conversion-ready.
Each page should:
Say exactly what it’s about in the headline
Offer a solution or value to the visitor
Include relevant SEO keywords
End with a strong, clear call-to-action
Link to other useful parts of the site
Treat every page like it’s someone’s first impression—because it might be.
💬 “I don’t need to update my website once it’s live.”
TRUTH: Websites are not set-it-and-forget-it.
Google rewards fresh, relevant content. Customers notice when your last blog post was from 2019. And small technical issues (like broken links or outdated plugins) can snowball into bigger problems that tank performance.
Regular website maintenance includes:
Updating plugins and themes
Running speed and performance checks
Fixing broken links
Updating testimonials and case studies
Adding new blog content
Refreshing keywords and meta descriptions
A high-performing small business website is a living thing. You’ve got to feed it.
💬 “My customers already know where to find me.”
TRUTH: Maybe. But the ones who don’t are Googling your competitors.
Even if you rely heavily on word-of-mouth or referrals, people will still Google you before reaching out. And if your website isn’t showing up—or if it looks outdated, confusing, or sketchy—you’re likely losing those leads.
Your website builds trust. It shows you're active, professional, and credible. And when it's optimized for local search, it helps new customers find you organically, without relying on ads or introductions.
So even if you think your digital presence doesn’t matter, I promise: it does.
The Bottom Line: Strategy > Assumptions
Most of the website myths out there are rooted in one idea: “If it looks good, that’s enough.” But when your website is your storefront, your sales team, your credibility checker, and your SEO engine—all rolled into one—you need more than good looks.
You need strategy.
Want to make sure your website isn’t silently sabotaging your business? Let’s audit it together. I’ll show you what’s working, what’s not, and how to make sure your site shows up, stands out, and actually converts.
