5 Signs Your Small Business Needs a New Website (And What To Do About It)

You know that feeling when you look at your website and cringe just a little?

Like… it works. But is it actually helping your business — or just sitting there?

I talk to small business owners about this all the time, especially here in Oklahoma City. Most built their website a few years ago, checked it off the list, and haven’t thought about it since.

But here’s the truth:

Websites age fast.

What worked in 2020 might quietly be costing you customers in 2026.

So how do you know if your website is holding your business back?

Here are five clear signs it may be time for an upgrade — and what you can realistically do about it.

1. Your Website Looks Terrible on Mobile

Over 60% of web traffic now comes from mobile devices.

If your site doesn’t work well on phones, you’re losing more than half your potential customers before they even consider calling you.

Pull up your website on your phone right now and ask:

• Can you read the text without zooming?

• Are buttons easy to tap?

• Does the menu work smoothly?

• Does it load quickly?

• Do forms feel easy — or frustrating?

If your site feels clunky on mobile, that’s not just inconvenient. It affects your search rankings.

Google prioritizes mobile-friendly websites — especially for local searches like:

• “plumber in Oklahoma City”

• “roof repair near me”

• “website design Oklahoma City”

If competitors offer a smoother mobile experience, they win.

A modern mobile-friendly website should:

• Adjust text automatically

• Use large, tap-friendly buttons

• Keep navigation simple

• Load quickly

• Make forms easy to complete

If your website was built before 2018, mobile probably wasn’t the priority.

That alone can justify a redesign.

2. Your Website Is Slow

If your website takes more than 3 seconds to load, many visitors leave.

That’s not dramatic — that’s behavior.

Google factors page speed into rankings because slow websites frustrate users.

You can test your site for free using Google PageSpeed Insights.

If your mobile performance score is under 50, that’s a red flag.

But here’s something important:

Even major brands struggle with speed.

For example, Goodreads — owned by Amazon — scores 66 on mobile performance in PageSpeed Insights

The goal isn’t to obsess over hitting 95+.

The goal is to avoid being in the danger zone where speed actively hurts conversions.

Common causes of slow websites:

• Oversized images

• Too many plugins

• Cheap hosting

• Outdated themes

• Excess scripts

Sometimes performance can be improved with simple fixes.

Other times, rebuilding on a modern platform is the cleaner long-term solution.

In 2026, a small business website should ideally load:

• In 1–2 seconds on desktop

• Under 3 seconds on mobile

If you’re far beyond that, it’s worth addressing.

3. You Can't Update It Yourself

Your website shouldn’t require a developer every time you want to change your hours.

If updating your site feels complicated or expensive, that’s a problem.

Many business owners avoid touching their site entirely because it’s too much hassle. That sends signals to both customers and search engines that your business may not be active.

You should be able to:

• Update text

• Add a blog post

• Swap photos

• Change services

• Update contact information

Without touching code.

Modern website platforms make that simple.

If your current setup doesn’t, it may be time for something more flexible.

4. Nobody Can Find You on Google

You have a website — but when someone searches your service in your city, you don’t show up.

Try this:

• Google your service + your city.

• Google your business name.

• Check your Google Business Profile.

If you’re invisible, there’s usually a structural reason.

Common SEO issues include:

• Missing title tags

• Weak meta descriptions

• No location targeting

• Thin content

• No internal linking

• No updates over time

You can’t just build a website and expect it to rank.

Search visibility requires:

• Proper structure

• Optimized headings

• Clear service pages

• Local intent signals

• Ongoing content

Even small improvements can make a noticeable difference within 3–6 months.

5. Your Website Looks Outdated

Design trends move quickly.

What looked modern five years ago may look dated today.

And visitors make fast judgments.

If your site feels old, cluttered, or generic, people may assume your business is too — even if that’s not true.

Signs your site may feel outdated:

• Heavy stock photos

• Auto-playing sliders

• Cluttered layouts

• Small text

• Too many colors

• Old fonts

• Broken links

Your website is your first impression.

A clean, modern layout builds trust instantly.

Today’s effective small business websites prioritize:

• Simplicity

• Clear calls-to-action

• Mobile-first design

• Fast load times

• Strong local positioning

Sometimes a theme refresh helps.

Other times, rebuilding is the smarter long-term investment.

So… Does This Sound Like Your Website?

If 2–3 of these apply, it may be time to plan updates.

If 4 or 5 apply, your website may be costing you customers.

The good news?

Rebuilding a small business website in 2026 doesn’t require a $10,000 budget.

Most professional small business websites fall between $800–$2,500 depending on features and functionality.

What To Do Next

If you’re unsure, start simple:

1. Check your site on your phone.

2. Run it through PageSpeed Insights.

3. Search for your service in your city.

4. Ask someone outside your business for honest feedback.

The results are usually revealing.

Want an Honest Opinion on Your Website?

If you're in Oklahoma City and want a straightforward website review, I’m happy to take a look.

No pressure. No hard pitch.

Sometimes small adjustments solve the issue.

Other times, rebuilding is the smarter move.

Either way, I’ll tell you honestly.

Request a Free Website Review