Many Australian businesses invest in a website once, then let it sit untouched for years. In the meantime, customer expectations change, competitors improve, and search engines evolve.
The good news? Most of the signs that your website needs an overhaul are easy to spot—even if you’re not tech-savvy. This guide outlines 7 clear signs your website might be hurting your business, and what to do about it.
1. Your Homepage Doesn’t Clearly Explain What You Do
Within 3 seconds of landing on your homepage, a visitor should understand:
- What your business offers
- Who it’s for
- Why they should choose you
If your homepage headline is vague (“Welcome to Our Website”) or doesn’t include keywords like “Accounting Services in Adelaide” or “Melbourne Commercial Cleaning”, you’re missing a huge opportunity.
Australian users are search-savvy. They expect instant clarity. Businesses like Youfoodz or Koala get this right—they open with strong statements and visuals that explain exactly what they offer and why you should stick around.
Quick Fix: Update your homepage with a keyword-rich headline that speaks to your target audience. Focus on intent, not cleverness.
2. You Don’t Have Clear Pages for Your 2–3 Core Business Services
Many small business websites dump everything onto one Services page—or worse, bury the info under a wall of text.
Each of your main services should have its own dedicated page. For example:
/web-design-sydney/emergency-plumbing-melbourne/commercial-finance-brisbane
This helps with SEO and also gives your visitors a clear path to the service they need. Top-performing Australian websites (especially in competitive markets) make this crystal clear.
Quick Fix: Break down your offerings into 2–3 key service pages, each with a focus on one topic, local keyword, and a clear CTA.
3. There Are No Trust Signals (Reviews, Logos, Testimonials)
When a potential customer visits your site, they’re looking for reasons to trust you.
If your homepage lacks:
- Customer testimonials
- Client logos
- Star ratings or Google reviews
- Industry certifications or “as seen in” badges
…then you’re forcing people to guess whether you’re credible. Trust signals should be front and centre, not buried on a separate page.
Look at companies like Pet Circle or Finder—they showcase user ratings and social proof prominently on their landing pages. Your business should too.
Quick Fix: Add real customer testimonials to your homepage or key landing pages, along with any review scores or client badges you have.
4. Your Website Isn’t Mobile-Friendly or Loads Slowly
In Australia, over 60% of users browse on mobile. If your site looks terrible or takes more than 3 seconds to load, users (and Google) will punish you.
Try this:
- Visit your site on your phone
- Click around—do the menus work?
- Are buttons easy to tap?
- Does it load quickly?
If not, it’s time to overhaul the design and fix performance issues. Google even ranks mobile-first now, meaning if your mobile version is poor, your desktop version won’t save you.
Quick and Easy Speed Tests Online:
- Google Page Speed – The Original Page Speed test for Developers but you may need to login to use it
- Pingdom – A free online tool which allows you to test various locations in the world
- GTMetrix – Another good free online tool that gives you some insight into why your speeds are not lightning fast
Quick Fix: Use Google’s PageSpeed Insights tool or speak to a local web design agency for a mobile responsiveness audit.
5. You’re Not Ranking for Any Relevant Local Keywords
If you’re a local business, your site should rank for searches like:
- “Builder in Toowoomba”
- “Family lawyer Geelong”
- “Best digital agency Perth”
If you’re not appearing in search results for your area, it could be because:
- You’re not using local keywords
- Your pages don’t have proper title tags or meta descriptions
- Your site isn’t indexed correctly
Australian businesses that win at local SEO (like cafés, trades, or agencies) make it clear where they’re located, what services they offer, and how to contact them.
Quick Fix: Optimise your homepage and services pages with location-specific keywords and make sure you’ve claimed your Google Business Profile.
6. The Design Looks Dated or DIY
This is one of the easiest red flags to spot—if your website feels old, it probably is.
Clues your design is outdated:
- It looks like it was built in 2010
- Uses outdated fonts or clipart
- Has cluttered layouts or flashing buttons
- Isn’t aligned with your current branding
Visitors make split-second judgments. If your site feels clunky or amateur, they’ll assume your service is too. Brands like Afterpay or Modibodi have invested in modern, UX-friendly designs—and even if you’re a small business, there are affordable, modern templates and agencies who can help.
Quick Fix: Talk to a local web design agency in Australia about a fresh design that reflects your business today, not five years ago.
7. You Haven’t Updated the Site in Years
If you don’t remember the last time your site was updated—or your developer disappeared with all the login details—you’re overdue for a rebuild.
Modern websites should be:
- Easy to update through a content management system (CMS)
- Scalable for future needs
- Secure and regularly maintained
Outdated platforms can also be security risks or non-compliant with accessibility standards (WCAG), which are increasingly important in Australia.
Quick Fix: Request a website audit from a trusted agency to review your CMS, plugins, security, and scalability.
When in Doubt, Get a Website Audit
If any of the signs above sound familiar, you don’t need to panic—but you also shouldn’t ignore them. A poorly performing website can hold your business back in ways you don’t even see.
Before you invest in a full website rebuild, consider getting a professional website audit. Most Australian digital agencies offer these services at a relatively low cost. You’ll get:
- A full review of design, SEO, speed, UX, and more
- Clear, actionable recommendations
- The option to take the plan to your current developer or a new team
It’s a small investment that could unlock major improvements in traffic, conversions, and customer trust.
If you need to engage a web designer for an Audit, see our Article about What to Ask Before Hiring a Web Designer
Website Overhaul FAQs
1. What are the signs my website needs a redesign?
If your site is slow, unclear, outdated, or lacking SEO, it’s a strong sign you need a website redesign. Poor UX and weak trust signals are also key indicators.
2. How do I know if my homepage is hurting my SEO?
Your homepage should include your main keywords and clearly explain your services. If it doesn’t match search intent, you’re likely missing valuable traffic.
3. Why is local SEO important for Australian businesses?
Local SEO helps your website appear in location-specific searches like “electrician in Ballarat.” Without it, you’re invisible to nearby potential customers.
4. Do I need a separate page for each service I offer?
Yes. Separate service pages (with location-based keywords) help improve SEO, user clarity, and conversions. It’s also what Google prefers for relevance.
5. What trust signals should I add to my homepage?
Include testimonials, reviews, client logos, certifications, or media mentions to build trust. These can significantly improve conversions and credibility.
6. How often should I update my business website?
You should review your site at least annually. If your services change, your branding evolves, or the site looks dated, it may be time for a refresh.
7. How can a website audit help my business?
A website audit identifies issues with speed, SEO, usability, and structure. It provides a roadmap to improve your site without guessing what’s broken.
8. Should I hire a local web design agency for a site overhaul?
Yes—local agencies understand your audience and can offer face-to-face support. They often deliver more tailored, region-aware web experiences.
9. How much does a website overhaul or audit cost in Australia?
Website audits can start from $300–$1,000, depending on depth. Full overhauls range from $2,000–$10,000+. A good agency will tailor it to your goals and budget.
Need help finding the right local agency?
At LocalWebExpert.com.au, we connect Australian business owners with trusted digital agencies that specialise in website overhauls, audits, and performance upgrades. Get matched with the right team—no pressure, just real results.