Top Tips to Get the Most Out of Your Website

This week’s Topic of the Week comes from Felicity Clayton, Project Manager in our Business Support team, who brings her experience from a local design agency working with SMEs across the UK.

She shares practical, no-nonsense tips to help you turn your website into a stronger sales tool, build trust with customers, and improve user experience across all devices. Whether you’re planning a refresh or just want to make a few smart tweaks, these insights could make a real difference.

Here are my top tips to get the most out of your website:

Keep your message simple and clear

When I review websites, the biggest issue I see is clutter — too much text, too many messages, and no clear focus. Visitors decide very quickly whether your site is relevant to them, so simplicity is your friend. Aim for concise statements that explain who you are, what you offer, and why it matters. A clear value proposition and call to action on your homepage can dramatically improve engagement and conversion.

Make navigation intuitive

Good navigation is like good customer service: it helps people find what they need without frustration. I always encourage businesses to think from a visitor’s point of view, what is the user journey to find what they need? E.g. Can they easily find your contact details? Your services? Your pricing? A logical menu structure and consistently placed buttons can make a huge difference to user experience and, ultimately, enquiries.

Prioritise mobile optimisation

More and more customers browse on their phones. If your website isn’t mobile-friendly, you’re making life harder for most of your audience. Pages should load quickly, menus should be accessible on smaller screens, and content should adjust seamlessly. This isn’t a ‘nice to have’ anymore — it’s essential.

Keep your content fresh

Search engines and customers like signs of life. A neglected website can give the impression that a business has gone quiet. I advise clients to update content regularly, whether that’s adding case studies, refreshing images, posting news, or maintaining a blog. It’s not about constant change, it’s about showing that your business is active and relevant.

Focus on loading speed

Slow websites lose customers. Even a few extra seconds can cause visitors to abandon a page. Reducing image sizes, minimising unnecessary plugins, and keeping your site technically tidy can significantly improve speed. It’s a small technical task with a big impact on both user satisfaction and search rankings. A good rule of thumb is to ensure your page takes less than 3 seconds to load, or you could be loosing customers.

Build trust with social proof

People trust people, not claims. Showcase your testimonials, reviews, photos of real customers or projects, and any awards or accreditations. Social proof helps reassure visitors that your business delivers on its promises and it’s often the factor that pushes them to get in touch.

Include strong calls to action

Every page should encourage the visitor to do something, whether that’s booking a consultation, downloading a guide, or signing up for a newsletter. Clear calls to action help guide users through their journey and increase the chances of turning interest into valuable leads.

Use analytics to understand your audience

Finally, don’t underestimate the value of data. I encourage all businesses to check their analytics regularly which pages people visit, how long they stay, and where they drop off. Understanding your audience’s behaviour helps you make smarter decisions and continuously improve your site. To get more help with your website attend our upcoming workshop with attendees also being offered a free 1 hour 121 session with a website consultant to review your existing website or your new website plans.