Is your website costing you leads without you even realizing it? Most contractors don’t lose business because they lack skill; they lose it because their website quietly pushes customers away. A slow site, confusing navigation, or outdated layout can make homeowners bounce faster than a roofer running from a surprise wasp nest. And here’s the real problem: a site doesn’t have to be obviously broken to cost you leads. Even small issues can tank conversions before you ever pick up the phone.
Why Good Work Isn’t Enough Online
Homeowners make quick decisions. In fact:
- 88% of consumers won’t return to a site after a bad experience.
- 53% leave a page that takes more than 3 seconds to load.
- Nearly 70% of small business websites lack a clear call to action.
In other words, people aren’t judging your craftsmanship; they’re judging how easy it is to contact you. When a website loads slowly, hides your phone number, buries your services, or looks like it hasn’t been updated since the Obama administration, customers leave long before they learn how skilled you actually are.
Website Mistakes That Cost Contractors Leads
Here are the issues we see most often when auditing contractor websites across the country:
1. Slow Load Speed
As page load time increases from one second to five seconds, the likelihood of someone bouncing skyrockets by 90%. A slow site doesn’t just annoy visitors, it costs you money.
2. No Clear Calls to Action
A “Contact Us” buried at the bottom won’t cut it. Visitors need:
- A visible phone number
- A short form above the fold
- Buttons that actually stand out
Your website shouldn’t force people to figure things out. Instead, it should guide them.
3. Confusing Navigation
Homeowners shouldn’t need detective skills to find “roof repair,” “AC installation,” or “drain cleaning.”
4. Missing or Weak Service Pages
If someone searches “emergency electrician in Denver” and you only have one generic page? You’re invisible.
5. Outdated or Non-Mobile-Friendly Design
More than 60% of local service searches happen on mobile devices. If your site doesn’t pass the “thumb test,” it’s costing you leads every single day.
6. No Social Proof
You don’t need hundreds of reviews. Even five recent reviews can build trust faster than a well-designed logo.
How to Fix a Website That’s Losing You Leads
Good news: you don’t need a full redesign to see big improvements. Start with these simple but high-impact steps:
Speed Up Your Website: Tools like Google PageSpeed Insights can tell you exactly what’s slowing things down. If your score is low, compress images, upgrade hosting, or remove unnecessary plugins.
Put Your Phone Number Everywhere: Add it to your header, footer, contact buttons, everywhere. Make it unmistakable.
Build Strong Service Pages: Dedicated pages for each service help you rank better and convert better.
Add Trust Builders: Homeowners don’t just buy the service; they buy the confidence that you can do it.
Use a Form That Doesn’t Ask for Their Life Story: Only ask for name, phone, and service needed. Every extra field decreases conversions.
Update Your Google Business Profile (GBP): Your website and GBP amplify each other. When both are optimized, lead flow increases sharply.
What Happens When You Fix These Issues?
Contractors consistently report:
- Higher conversion rates
- More calls from real customers
- Lower customer acquisition costs
- Better quality leads
- Improved search visibility
You can deliver great service, fair pricing, and fast turnaround, but still lose business if your website isn’t pulling its weight.
Don’t Let Your Website Be the Weakest Link
Your website is your 24/7 salesperson. It should make life easier for you and your customers. If you’re unsure whether your site is helping or hurting, get an outside opinion. Or ask our team, we review contractor websites every day and can pinpoint exactly where your leads are leaking.
Take Action: A Quick Website Self-Check
Use this shortlist to assess your site today:
- Does it load in under 3 seconds?
- Is your phone number at the top of every page?
- Do you have individual service pages?
- Are there recent reviews or testimonials visible?
- Does the site look good on mobile?
- Is your main CTA impossible to miss?
If you answered “no” to more than one, your website is costing you money, right now.
Don’t let your website keep costing you leads. Book an appointment with 99 Calls today and get a clear plan to turn your online presence into a steady stream of real customers.