7 Signs Your Business Website Needs a Makeover
Let’s be honest: most days you’re not thinking about your website. You’re thinking about getting the job done, answering messages, finding the Allen key that vanished into thin air, and figuring out what on earth to make for tea. The site? It hums along in the background… until it doesn’t.
Here’s the bit we don’t like to admit: people judge your business by your website long before they meet you. When a neighbour says, “Use my plumber, he’s brilliant,” the next thing that happens is a Google search. If your website looks tired, loads slowly, or makes it hard to get in touch, that warm word-of-mouth recommendation goes cold. Fast.
This guide walks you through seven tell-tale signs your website’s due a makeover. You’ll get plain-English explanations, simple checks you can do today, and real examples from UK service businesses — plumbers, beauticians, gas engineers, sparkies, builders, the lot. If even one sign is ringing a bell, don’t panic. You’re in the right place, and it’s fixable.
The quick read (so you know what’s coming)
7 signs your website needs a makeover:
It looks dated or “DIY from 2012.”
It’s a nightmare on mobile.
It loads slower than a Monday.
It’s not clear what you do or who you do it for.
It’s not bringing in enquiries.
It doesn’t match your business today (services, pricing, brand).
It’s missing trust — reviews, photos, proof, and the human touch.
Now, let’s dig into each — with examples and quick wins you can action today.
1) Your website looks like it’s stuck in 2012
You know that one café with the carpet that hasn’t changed since the late ‘90s? It’s the same online. A dated look whispers “out of touch,” even if your work is top-class.
What “dated” looks like
Tiny text crammed edge to edge
Neon colours or heavy gradients
Stock photos of businesspeople shaking hands (no one does this in Essex)
Hit-and-miss spacing, too many fonts, awkward boxes, and “Welcome to our website!” across the top
A little story
Tony, a plumber in Benfleet, told me he rarely shared his website link because he felt “a bit embarrassed by it.” His mate built it in 2010 — decent for the time — but it hadn’t moved on. When we opened it on a laptop, there were three different fonts, a spinning wrench gif (throwback!), and a contact form that asked for a fax number. Tony’s work is brilliant — his site wasn’t doing him justice.
10-minute check
Would you proudly show your homepage to a potential client while they’re sat with you?
Do your photos look like your work, or do they look like a photo library?
Can you count more than two fonts on the page? (Less is more.)
Quick wins
Replace old stock photos with 6–12 real, crisp shots of your work, your team, and your van signage.
Update headings to plain English: “Boiler Installations in South Essex — Fast, Tidy, Guaranteed.”
Add a clean top bar with your phone number and a “Request a Quote” button.
2) Your site on mobile is… painful
More than half your visitors are on mobile. If your site isn’t built for small screens, you’re effectively telling people, “Try again later.” Spoiler: they won’t.
Signs of a mobile headache
Text you need a magnifying glass for
Buttons that are too small to tap
Menus that cover the whole page then refuse to close
Maps and galleries that drag the whole screen with them
Leah’s wake-up moment
Leah runs a busy beauty business in Grays. She noticed bookings slowed. On desktop her site looked fine… on her phone, the “Book Now” button was hidden under a banner and the gallery took forever to scroll. Her clients browse on the school run or while waiting for a coffee. We moved the “Book Now” to the top, simplified the menu, and made her gallery swipe-friendly. Bookings picked up again.
10-minute check
Open your site on your phone and hand it to someone who hasn’t seen it before. Say nothing. Can they find your number or enquiry form in under 10 seconds?
Quick wins
Put a tap-to-call button top-right that stays visible as people scroll.
Reduce your headline to one clear line.
Resize buttons to at least a thumb’s width.
Cut any pop-ups that cover the screen.
3) It loads slower than a Monday morning
Three seconds. That’s people’s patience for a page to load. Anything beyond that and they bounce — especially on 4G.
What slows it down
Huge images straight off your phone (5–12 MB each)
Old plugins, bloated add-ons, or bits bolted together over the years
Homepages doing too much — sliders, auto-playing videos, heavy effects
A mini case
Daybreak Windows had a beautiful site… that took 11 seconds to load. Their homepage had a big video at the top, an animated slider, and dozens of full-size photos. We trimmed it down, compressed images, and simplified the layout. It dropped under two seconds and enquiries followed.
10-minute check
Google “page speed test,” run your homepage, and look for the “largest contentful paint” time. If it’s more than 3–4 seconds, you’re losing people.
Quick wins
Swap sliders for one strong hero image with a punchy headline.
Compress photos (aim for 150–250 KB each).
Move fancy animations to the bin. The job of your homepage is clarity and speed.
4) It’s not clear what you actually do (or where)
Vague websites are the silent killer of enquiries. If your homepage opens with “Solutions for every need,” you’ve already lost them. Say what you do, where you do it, and who it’s for — in the first two scrolls.
From foggy to obvious
A handyman site we reviewed proudly declared: “Excellence delivered.” Lovely. But… what excellence? We changed the headline to:
“Handyman in Southend & Leigh-on-Sea — Shelves, Taps, Doors, Odd Jobs.”
Calls rose because people finally understood.
10-minute check
Can a stranger read your homepage and say: “They do X, in Y area, for people like me”?
Do you list services in clear bullets?
Do you show a map or list your service areas (not just a vague “nationwide”)?
Quick wins
Add a sub-headline that spells it out: “Domestic & small commercial.”
Create a simple Services section on the homepage with 6–8 tiles linking to deeper pages.
Include service-area wording: “Basildon, Benfleet, Canvey, Leigh, Southend.”
5) Your site isn’t generating enquiries
A website should earn its keep. If the phone never rings from the site, something’s missing: clarity, proof, or an easy next step.
Why good businesses don’t get enquiries
No clear calls-to-action (“Get a quote,” “Book a patch test,” “Check availability”)
Contact details buried beneath paragraphs
Forms that ask for the world: title, company number, mother’s maiden name
No social proof: reviews, stars, before-and-afters, logos of accreditations
A true story
A Chelmsford roofer treated his site as a “digital business card.” It had a logo, a paragraph of waffle, then a generic contact form. We added bold CTAs, a simple “3-step quote” explainer, and a gallery of recent jobs with streets named (neighbors love that). He started getting two to four leads a week without buying ads.
10-minute check
Count your CTAs. There should be one clear action repeated several times.
Is there a phone number and a button above the fold?
Can people enquire without writing an essay?
Quick wins
Place a sticky “Request a Quote” button that follows the user.
Reduce your form to three fields: name, contact, brief description/postcode.
Add a “We reply within 1 business day” reassurance line.
6) Your website no longer matches your business
You’ve grown. Your pricing’s changed. You’ve added services, got new accreditation, moved workshops, hired staff — but the site still shows 2019 you.
What “out of sync” looks like
Old logo/colours next to your new van signage
Services you no longer offer still listed (and the ones you do missing)
Old photos of a spare room salon when you’re on the high street now
Outdated prices that trigger awkward conversations
The Basildon salon glow-up
A salon moved from a home studio to a high-street shop with new branding. The site still had grainy photos of the spare room and “cash only” on the price list. After a full refresh — new colours, professional photos, a simple price guide, and online booking — walk-ins increased because the online first impression finally matched the real experience.
10-minute check
Does your site reflect your current logo, colours, uniforms, and van?
Are services and prices accurate today?
Do you mention up-to-date accreditations (Gas Safe, NIC EIC, FSB, etc.)?
Quick wins
Do a 15-minute sweep: delete anything that’s no longer true.
Add a “New for 2025” box on the homepage to highlight your latest service.
Pop your accreditations in the footer and again near your CTAs.
7) Your site feels… untrustworthy (even a little)
Trust is everything. People don’t want to be scammed or ghosted. If your site has no reviews, no face, no proof — it feels risky.
Trust signals that matter
Real reviews with names/areas (link to Google if you can)
Before-and-after photos with short captions (“Kitchen re-tile, Rayleigh”)
Staff photos (even one relaxed shot builds connection)
Clear guarantees: “12-month workmanship guarantee,” “No call-out fee in SS postcodes”
Plain-English policies: “How we quote,” “How we handle refunds,” “How we protect data”
A relatable example
A local gas engineer added a “Meet Dan” section and three short reviews on the homepage. That’s it. His enquiry emails started with lines like, “Hi Dan, saw the reviews on your site…” It changed the tone of every conversation.
10-minute check
Can I find a real review in two scrolls?
Do I see a human face or only stock graphics?
Is there a straightforward promise or guarantee?
Quick wins
Add 5–8 short reviews across your homepage and services pages.
Include one friendly photo of you or the team. No need for stiff suits.
Write a 40-word “Our Promise” box and place it near your main CTA.
Extra help: a 15-minute DIY website MOT
If you fancy a quick audit, set a timer and run through this:
Homepage clarity (3 mins): What do you do, where, for whom? In one sentence.
Speed (2 mins): Run a speed test; if it’s slow, your images are probably massive.
Mobile (3 mins): On your phone, can you call or enquire in 10 seconds?
Proof (3 mins): Do you show reviews and real work?
CTAs (2 mins): Is there a repeat, clear action: “Get a Quote,” “Book Now,” “Call Us”?
Anything that fails gets a little ⭐ on your to-do list.
What a modern website makeover actually includes
When people hear “makeover,” they imagine a new coat of paint. It’s more than that. It’s about aligning your website with how your business really works today.
The essentials
Clean design: Easy to read, clear hierarchy, plenty of breathing room.
Mobile-first: Designed for thumbs, not mice.
Speedy pages: Compressed images, no heavy gimmicks.
Service clarity: Each key service has its own page (so Google can send people straight there).
Local signals: Areas served, map snippet, nearby projects, local phrases people actually use.
Proof everywhere: Reviews, photos, accreditations, guarantees, before/after.
Conversion flow: Repeated CTAs, short forms, click-to-call, reassurance near forms.
Simple content updates: So you can tweak prices or add a new service in minutes.
Privacy & compliance: Clear policies and sensible cookie handling.
The nice-to-haves (that actually help)
FAQs on service pages: Cuts down on back-and-forth.
Project gallery: Short captions with place names (“loft boarding, Wickford”).
Pricing guide: Even from-prices reduce time-wasting enquiries.
“How we work” steps: 1) Call, 2) Quote, 3) Job, 4) Follow-up.
Lead magnets: A simple checklist PDF in exchange for an email (great for seasonal services).
Schema markup: Fancy term, simple idea — it helps Google show your reviews/stars properly.
Real-world examples (UK trades & services)
1) Gas safe engineer — from scattered to streamlined
Before: Five crowded pages, no phone button, photos hidden on Facebook.
After: One strong homepage with clear services; three service pages (boilers, servicing, landlords); click-to-call; six reviews; compact gallery.
Result: Fewer tyre-kickers, more ready-to-book calls.
2) Lash & brow studio — clarity sells
Before: Long menu, treatments in one wall of text, booking link at the bottom.
After: Simple top menu, each treatment on its own page, top-of-page “Book Now,” short FAQs on patch tests and timing.
Result: More online bookings and fewer “How long does it take?” DMs.
3) Landscaping team — pictures do the heavy lifting
Before: Two pages, “Call for quote,” no projects shown.
After: Project grid with captions (“Porcelain patio — Canvey Island, 28m²”), brief process section, and seasonal CTA (“Booking autumn clean-ups now”).
Result: Better quality enquiries — the right kind of jobs.
Common myths (and the real story)
Myth: “We get work from word of mouth, so the website doesn’t matter.”
Truth: People still Google you after a recommendation — the site confirms (or kills) that trust.
Myth: “A good website will take me months to write.”
Truth: Not if you get help. You talk; we turn it into clean, simple copy.
Myth: “I need to explain everything.”
Truth: You need to explain the next step — and show proof. Keep it short and clear.
Myth: “Fancy effects impress customers.”
Truth: Speed, clarity, and proof impress customers. Effects often slow things down.
FAQs: Website Makeovers for UK Small Businesses
1) How often should I update my website?
A full refresh every 3–4 years is sensible, but tweak content (prices, new services, photos, reviews) every quarter. If it looks dated, isn’t mobile-friendly, or isn’t bringing leads, do it sooner.
2) Will a makeover actually get me more customers?
If it improves clarity, proof, speed, and calls-to-action — yes. Most sites fail because they ask people to guess. Remove friction and enquiries go up.
3) I’m busy. How much of this do I have to do myself?
Very little. With 99 Quid Websites, we guide you through a simple intake, then we do the legwork — design, build, copy help, images, forms, the lot. You review and approve.
4) I don’t want something complicated I can’t update.
Fair. Our sites run on our own streamlined platform (not a clunky system). That means fast, secure, and easy to edit. You’ll get a quick walkthrough and short how-to guides for simple changes.
5) Can you write or tidy up my content?
Yes. We can draft it for you in natural, plain English, based on a quick chat and a few prompts. We make you sound like you — just clearer.
6) What about photos? I don’t have a photographer.
Phone photos are fine if they’re well lit and not blurry. We’ll show you how to take better project shots in 5 minutes (angles, light, tidy background). We can also recommend affordable local photographers if you want the full polish.
7) How quickly can you turn it around?
Projects vary, but most are measured in weeks, not months. Because we use our own platform, we skip a lot of faff and get you live faster.
8) How much does it cost?
Our clue’s in the name. We specialise in affordable websites that look professional and bring in work. You’ll get a clear price upfront — no surprises — plus optional add-ons if you want extras.
9) Can you connect my email, forms, and online bookings?
Yes. We’ll set up your enquiry flow so messages land where you need them, and add online booking links if you use a system already.
10) Will I be able to rank on Google?
A makeover sets the foundation: fast, clear, mobile-friendly, with proper service pages and local signals. That’s the bedrock of local SEO. If you want to go further, we can help with blogs, Google Business Profile, and reviews.
11) Do you handle security and updates?
Yes. Our own platform is managed, fast, and secure, so you’re not dealing with endless updates or patching.
12) Can you migrate my old content?
We’ll bring across the good bits, tidy them up, and leave the dead weight behind. You keep your domain and emails as they are (or we’ll help you set them up properly).
What happens when you work with 99 Quid Websites
We keep it simple and human. No jargon. No drama.
Step 1: Quick chat
We ask about your services, areas, and what “good” looks like for you. Ten minutes is plenty.
Step 2: Gather the bits
Logos, photos, reviews, and your must-have features (forms, booking, WhatsApp, etc.). No assets? We’ll help you create them.
Step 3: Draft & design
We build your homepage and a couple of key service pages first so you can see the look and feel. You approve, then we roll it out.
Step 4: Proof & polish
We add your reviews, tweak headings, compress images, and make sure forms go where you want them.
Step 5: Go live & show off
We launch, test on mobile, and give you a short handover so you can update prices or add photos yourself.
Step 6: Grow when you’re ready
Add more service pages, seasonal offers, galleries, and blogs — at your pace.
Your mini action plan (do these this week)
Today:
Change your homepage headline to: “(Service) in (Area) — clear benefit.”
Add a tap-to-call button and a “Request a Quote” button that scrolls with the user.
Move two of your best reviews onto the homepage, near the first CTA.
Tomorrow:
Compress the five biggest images on your homepage.
Swap any stock image for a real project shot.
Add a short “How we work” box (1–2–3 steps).
This weekend:
List your top 3 services and create a page for each with one paragraph, three bullets, a photo, an FAQ, and a “Get a Quote” button.
Add a simple service-area list at the bottom of each page.
If doing all that makes you want a lie-down, we get it. That’s exactly what we’re here for.
Finishing UP (and a friendly nudge)
If even one of the seven signs sounded familiar, your website’s quietly costing you work. It’s not about being flashy. It’s about being clear, fast, trustworthy, and easy to contact. That’s it.
The good news? You don’t need a massive budget or three months of your life to fix it.
99 Quid Websites builds clean, modern, mobile-friendly sites on our own streamlined platform. No fuss. No clunky tech. Just a website you’re proud to share — one that backs up word-of-mouth referrals and turns more browsers into bookings.
👉 Ready for a no-pressure chat about your website makeover?
Drop us a line and we’ll show you what’s possible — fast, affordable, and done properly.
