Every year, Ask the Egghead helps dozens of small businesses, nonprofits, and entrepreneurs fix broken or underperforming websites. As we step into 2026, we’re looking back at some of the most common (and costly) website mistakes we saw in 2025—and more importantly, how you can avoid them this year.
Here are the top five website issues we resolved for clients in 2025, and tips to make sure your site stays ahead of the curve in 2026.
1. Slow Website Load Times
The problem: One client, a local health coach, had a beautifully designed website—but it took over 6 seconds to load. Visitors were bouncing before the homepage even appeared.
What we fixed: We optimized images, removed bloated plugins, and migrated the site to our Managed WordPress Hosting platform, which includes server-level caching and performance tuning.
How to avoid it: Test your site speed regularly using tools like GTmetrix or PageSpeed Insights. If your site takes more than 3 seconds to load, it’s time for a tune-up—or a better hosting solution.
2. No Mobile Optimization
The problem: A restaurant owner came to us confused about declining traffic. Their old site looked fine on desktop but was unusable on mobile devices.
What we fixed: We rebuilt the site with responsive design best practices and optimized the navigation for smaller screens. Within a month, mobile traffic increased by 40%.
How to avoid it: Over 60% of web traffic is mobile. Always preview your site on phones and tablets. Better yet, work with a development team that builds mobile-first.
3. DIY Website Gone Wrong
The problem: A startup founder used a website builder to save costs but ended up with broken links, inconsistent branding, and poor SEO.
What we fixed: We rebuilt the site in WordPress, aligning it with their brand and optimizing it for search engines. Within three months, they began ranking on the first page for local keywords.
How to avoid it: DIY tools can be great—but only if you understand design, UX, and SEO fundamentals. If you’re growing, professional support isn’t an expense—it’s an investment.
4. Security Vulnerabilities
The problem: A nonprofit had their WordPress site hacked because they hadn’t updated plugins or installed security tools. The site was blacklisted and offline for a week.
What we fixed: We cleaned the site, installed a firewall, and moved them to our Managed WordPress Hosting, which includes regular updates and security monitoring.
How to avoid it: Always keep your themes and plugins updated. Or better yet, let our team handle it for you with Monthly Website Maintenance.
5. No Clear Call to Action
The problem: A service business had plenty of visitors, but few leads. Their homepage didn’t guide users toward booking or contact.
What we fixed: We added clear calls to action (CTAs), simplified the layout, and created lead capture forms. Conversions doubled within 60 days.
How to avoid it: Make it obvious what you want your visitors to do next—call, book, subscribe, or buy. If you confuse, you lose.
Wrap-Up: Set Your Website Up for Success in 2026
Your website is more than a digital business card—it’s your 24/7 sales team, your first impression, and your growth engine. Don’t let these avoidable mistakes hold you back in 2026.
If you’re not sure whether your site is working as hard as it should, we’re here to help. Ask the Egghead specializes in custom WordPress design, managed hosting, and strategy-first web development to ensure your site performs flawlessly and grows with your business.
Ready to upgrade your website for 2026?Let’s schedule a free consultation and talk about how we can help.
