5 Common Website Mistakes Springfield, MO Small Business Owners Make (And How to Fix Them)
- Johnathon Crowder
- Jul 24
- 4 min read
Your Website Should Be Working for You — Not Against You
If you're a small business owner here in Springfield, MO, you’ve probably heard that having a website is important. But what most folks aren’t told is that a website is more than just a digital business card — it's one of your most powerful tools for turning visitors into paying customers.
Unfortunately, many small business websites are actually pushing people away without the owner even realizing it.
At Crowder Code and Design, I work with Springfield-area businesses all the time who feel like their websites just aren’t doing much. They don’t know why traffic is low, why leads aren’t coming in, or why they’re buried on page 3 of Google.
The truth? It usually comes down to just a few common website mistakes — and the good news is they’re all fixable.
In this guide, I’ll walk you through the top 5 website mistakes I see Springfield business owners make, why they matter, and what you can do to fix them — even if you’re not super tech-savvy.
🛠️ Mistake #1: Not Having a Clear Call-to-Action
Why It Matters:
Your website should guide visitors to take the next step — whether that’s calling you, booking an appointment, or requesting a quote. If you don’t tell them what to do, most will leave without taking any action.
I’ve seen dozens of Springfield websites with no clear CTA. No buttons. No contact info near the top. Just a homepage and a hope that someone will figure it out.
The Fix:
Put yourself in your customer’s shoes. Ask: “What’s the one thing I want them to do?”
Add a clear, bold button like “Call Now,” “Schedule a Free Estimate,” or “Book an Appointment” above the fold (before scrolling).
Repeat that CTA 2–3 times across the homepage.
Add a “sticky” button that stays visible on mobile.
Example:
If you run a Springfield cleaning company, your CTA might be:“Request Your Free Quote Today” → leads to a short contact form or call button.
Bonus Tip:
Use action verbs and keep it friendly — “Let’s Get Started,” “Talk to a Local Pro,” “Claim Your Free Review” all work well.
🐢 Mistake #2: A Slow, Sluggish Website
Why It Matters:
If your site takes more than 3 seconds to load, over 50% of visitors will leave — especially on mobile. Plus, Google ranks faster websites higher.
I recently ran a speed test on a local service business in Springfield — it took 10 seconds to load. Their photos were beautiful… but no one was sticking around long enough to see them.
The Fix:
Use free tools like Google PageSpeed Insights or GTMetrix to run a speed test. You’ll get a list of what’s slowing you down.
Then:
Compress images using a free tool like TinyPNG
Remove autoplay videos or large background animations
Use modern image formats (WebP instead of JPEG)
Make sure your hosting is fast — avoid ultra-cheap hosts like GoDaddy or Bluehost if performance matters
Bonus Tip:
If you're on Wix, enable “performance boost” options in your site settings.
📱 Mistake #3: Not Mobile-Optimized
(Even If It Looks Good on Desktop)
Why It Matters:
About 60–75% of local traffic in Springfield happens on mobile. If your site isn’t optimized for phones, people won’t stick around. Worse: Google uses your mobile version to determine your search ranking.
I’ve seen Springfield websites that look great on desktop, but on a phone? Tiny text, squished menus, and impossible-to-tap buttons.
The Fix:
Use this checklist:
✅ Is your text readable without zooming?
✅ Are buttons large enough to tap?
✅ Is your contact info or CTA visible without scrolling?
✅ Do forms work on phones?
Wix, Squarespace, and WordPress all offer mobile previews — use them and tweak accordingly.
Bonus Tip:
Ask friends to visit your site on their phones and give honest feedback.
🔍 Mistake #4: Ignoring Local SEO
Why It Matters:
Even if your website looks perfect, you won’t show up on Google unless it’s properly optimized for Springfield-specific search terms.
That means people searching “plumber near me,” “junk removal Springfield MO,” or “Springfield hair salon” may never find your site — unless you’ve done some basic local SEO.
The Fix:
You don’t need to be an SEO wizard. Here’s what works:
Use keywords like “[Your Service] in Springfield, MO” naturally in your page text
Add Springfield, MO to your homepage title and meta description
Claim and optimize your Google Business Profile
Add alt text to images (e.g., “kitchen remodel Springfield Missouri”)
Create internal links to your most important pages (Services, Contact, etc.)
Bonus Tip:
Blog posts (like this one) are a great way to target local keywords without sounding forced.
🤝 Mistake #5: Not Building Trust Fast Enough
Why It Matters:
People decide whether they trust your business in 3–5 seconds. If your site feels outdated, cluttered, or impersonal, they’ll leave — even if your service is great.
This is especially true in Springfield, where reputation and word of mouth carry a lot of weight.
The Fix:
✅ Add 2–3 real customer testimonials with names and photos
✅ Include photos of your team, work, or storefront
✅ Use a clean layout with consistent branding
✅ Make sure all links work and no pages are “Coming Soon”
Even just updating your photos and fixing broken pages can make a huge difference in how trustworthy your business feels.
🎯 Your Website Should Be a Tool,
Not a Headache
If you’re a small business owner in Springfield, MO, your website should help you:
Show up on Google when people search
Build instant trust
Turn visitors into leads and customers
The 5 mistakes above are incredibly common — but also incredibly fixable. You don’t need to rebuild everything or spend thousands. You just need a site that’s clear, fast, mobile-friendly, and focused on your local customers.
💬 Want Help? Get a Free Website Review
from a Local Pro
I offer free, no-pressure website audits to small businesses in Springfield. I’ll record a short video going over what’s working, what’s not, and what you can fix easily.
If you’ve been wondering why your site isn’t showing up or getting leads — let’s fix that.
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