According to Forbes, there were approximately 1.2 billion websites online as of March 2025. With an additional 175 new sites being created every minute, the digital space is more crowded and competitive than ever before. Simply having a website is no longer enough to capture attention or retain visitors.
To stand out, your business website must do more than exist—it should deliver a seamless, intuitive and user-friendly experience. Below are some of the most common usability issues that could be creating friction for your visitors—and costing you valuable opportunities.
It’s Slow. Your business website is the subject of your visitors’ scrutiny. Users decide within just a few seconds whether they are willing to bother with your brand based on your website. It’s not just that we’ve all become impatient and can’t wait ten seconds for something to load.
It also has to do with credibility. A slow-loading site tells visitors that you don’t value their time and that you don’t invest in the technology for them to experience a seamless visit to your site. They are aware that you likely have competitors who invest in a high-quality user experience that won’t make them wait.
It’s Confusing. Look at your drop-down menu. Is it limited to a few categories, or do you stare at it, wondering what you were thinking when you first put together your site? Your business website should be easy to navigate, with clear indicators that show visitors how to find what they want and need. The categories should make sense, so that visitors don’t have to click more than one item on the menu trying to locate what they want.
It’s Not Accessible to Everyone or All Devices. A business website that isn’t accessible to all abilities and skill levels limits your brand’s reach. You need to be sure to incorporate the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), such as including video transcripts, image alt text and clear headings.
In addition, your business website should be optimized and responsive to all devices. This means that your users don’t have to resize or scroll to experience your website the same way on a smartphone that they do on a desktop monitor. Your site is adaptable to all screen sizes.
It’s For Your Users
Overall, these elements each play an important part in how search engines treat your site. If you have a slow-loading page with poor navigation that’s not optimized or accessible, don’t expect to rank very well on Google results pages.
In the end, prioritizing what search engines prioritize serves your business well. You will increase traffic to your site via organic search, resulting in growth for your company.
A user-friendly business website also goes a long way in building credibility for your brand. Visitors decide quickly whether they want to engage with your site based on a few seconds of observing your website.
If you’ve realized it’s time to update your business website, or if you suspect there may be a few areas that need attention, contact us at SJC Marketing. We can provide insights and detailed analytics, helping you understand where your site is not as user-friendly as it could be. Let’s get started on updating your site.