The real reason people leave your website
(If you think it's your prices... you're wrong.)
Story time: When I first launched my website, I spent hours on it.
I’d painstakingly designed every block. Tweaked the copy. Handpicked the best testimonials.
Added pricing. Removed pricing. Added it back. Removed it again.
And… nothing happened.
No inquiries.
No “Hey, loved your site!” emails (except a nice text from my mom).
Just a quiet little inbox, wondering what it did to deserve such resentment.
Turns out the problem wasn’t the font, the copy, or my CTA.
It was that I was so deep in the weeds, I couldn’t see my site the way a real person would.
That’s probably what’s happening on your site, too.
Why “good” websites still don’t convert
Most people assume visitors leave because:
The price is too high
The offer isn’t right
They need more information
But people really leave when they feel uncertain. Here are the most common gaps I see on otherwise “good” websites:
Trust is too little, too late
Testimonials exist, but they’re buried. Case studies are vague (if they exist). Proof shows up too late.
There’s no clarity on what happens next
People don’t just want results. They want to know what working with you actually looks like.
Proximity blindness sets in
You know your business too well. And you explain it like everyone else already does, too.
The next step requires friction
Long forms. Confusing CTAs. “Email me to get started” (they won’t).
When visitors can’t quickly answer:
“Do I trust this?”
“Is this for me?”
“What happens if I say yes?”
…They bounce. No matter how fantastic you are.
How to fix your website without burning it down
DON'T panic-rebrand or start a 12-page rewrite. Just start here:
1.) Add proof above the fold
One strong testimonial, result, or credibility marker near the top of the page beats ten buried at the bottom. This might seem obvious — but you’d be surprised how many people forget.
2.) Show your process in plain English
A simple “Here’s how it works” section reduces anxiety (more than fancy copy ever will). Include it on your home page, service pages, or wherever you’re asking someone to take action.
3.) Speed-audit your site like a stranger
Open it on your phone. Give yourself 10 seconds. Can you tell what you offer, who it’s for, and how to get started? If not, make some tweaks to add clarity.
4.) Make the next step stupidly easy
One CTA per page. One clear route to take. One simple way to get the ball rolling. Your clients are busy — don’t make them work harder than they need to (because they won’t).
5.) Zoom out before you zoom in
Details matter… but only after the big picture works. If you need to, ask a friend to tell you their first impression after 30 seconds on your site. Fix clarity first, and polish second.
If your site looks good but isn’t doing its job, I bet it's not broken. It’s just missing a few key signals that help people feel safe moving forward.
Wanna fix this faster?
Click below for a 5-day email challenge that gives you ONE focused, simple website fix per day. By this time next week, your site will be ✨glowing.✨
This article was originally shared in my embarrassing, brutally-honest newsletter: Sloppy Copy.
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