The digital landscape around East Lansing gets more competitive every year, especially for local service businesses. But almost every website problem starts with the same question: Is my site helping or hurting my chances of getting customers?

Step 1: Look at Your Website Like a Customer

Before diving into fixes, put yourself in your customer’s shoes. Can they quickly see what you do, where you are, and how to contact you? If not, there’s work to do.

Mistake #1: No Clear Call to Action

Many local websites look nice but never actually tell visitors what to do next. If your homepage doesn’t clearly invite people to call, book, or request a quote, you’re losing leads.

How to fix it:

• Add one primary call to action (like “Call Now,” “Request a Quote,” or “Book an Appointment”).

• Repeat it in your hero section, in the middle of the page, and near the footer.

• Make the button color stand out from the rest of the design.

Mistake #2: Slow, Clunky Pages

If your site loads slowly, people bounce before they ever see your content. This is especially painful for mobile visitors, which is a huge share of local traffic.

How to fix it:

• Compress large images and avoid heavy autoplay videos on your homepage.

• Remove unnecessary plugins or scripts that slow things down.

• Choose reliable hosting and test your site speed regularly.

Mistake #3: Not Mobile-Friendly

Plenty of your target customers find businesses on their phones—while at work, on campus, or on the go. If your site is hard to use on mobile, they’ll move on to a competitor.

How to fix it:

• Use a responsive design that automatically adjusts to different screen sizes.

• Make buttons large enough to tap easily, and keep forms short.

• Check every key page (home, services, contact) on your phone, not just your laptop.

Mistake #4: Ignoring Local SEO Basics

You can have the best-looking website in town, but if it doesn’t show up when someone searches “plumber near me” or “East Lansing lawn care,” you’re invisible.

How to fix it:

• Include your city and nearby areas in your page titles, headings, and copy.

• Make sure your name, address, and phone number are consistent wherever they appear online.

• Link prominently to your Google Business Profile and encourage happy customers to leave reviews.

Mistake #5: Outdated or Confusing Content

Old photos, vague service descriptions, and missing prices or process details make people hesitate to contact you. Confused visitors rarely become customers.

How to fix it:

• Update your homepage and services pages with clear, current information.

• Add a simple “How it works” or “What to expect” section.

• Use real photos of your team, work, or location when possible.

The quickest and easiest way to fix these mistakes is to work with Mountain Marketing. Specializing in web design and SEO, they will ensure your website both looks good and out-performs your competitors.