7 Things to Remove from Your Website in 2024

As a seasoned website marketing professional, we’ve reviewed and worked on thousands of websites. If your site isn’t helping you attract more leads or paying clients, you might not need to add anything; instead, you need to eliminate some elements. These things could be confusing your visitors, diverting them from where you want them to go, or even scaring them off. Here are seven things you need to remove from your website right now to improve its effectiveness.

1. Crazy Color Schemes

A common mistake, especially for DIY websites, is using an overwhelming or mismatched color scheme. Business owners often want to avoid a boring design but end up choosing too many colors or using them incorrectly. This can make your site look unprofessional and homemade. Instead, select a few colors that align with your brand and use them subtly, such as in buttons, headlines, or icons against neutral backgrounds. Your website should guide visitors’ attention to key areas like calls to action and testimonials, not overwhelm them with color.

2. Complicated Menus

When visitors land on your site, they should immediately know where to go and what to do. A complicated menu can lead to confusion, causing visitors to leave rather than figure out your site. Based on my experience, five menu items are ideal. This isn’t a random preference; it’s about providing a clear path for visitors. Only include essential pages that lead to conversion. Everything else can go in the footer menu for those who wish to explore further.

3. Self-Indulgent Content

If your website content is full of bragging, corporate jargon, or is all about you, you’re off track. Instead, turn your visitor into the hero of the story. Talk about their challenges and how you can help solve them. Use simple, relatable language. Even large companies keep their website language straightforward because it works. Albert Einstein once said, “If you can’t explain it simply, you don’t understand it well enough.” This approach makes you appear as the expert without overwhelming your visitors.

4. Traditional Contact Forms

Traditional “Contact Us” forms can be vague about what happens after submission, which can deter visitors. People prefer clarity and efficiency. Replace traditional forms with a direct calendar booking tool like Calendly. This allows visitors to see your availability and book a convenient time, eliminating guesswork and making them more likely to take the next step toward working with you.

5. Social Media Links

Once visitors are on your site, you want to keep them there, engaging with your content and moving toward a purchase. Including social media buttons in the top navigation or an Instagram feed on your homepage can distract them and send them back to the top of your sales funnel. Keep visitors focused on your site to guide them closer to making a decision.

6. Overly Posed Stock Photos

Stock photos can make your site feel staged and disconnected from the real experience of working with your business. Visitors can often tell when images are stock, which can lead to questions about the authenticity of your site. If you can’t afford professional photos, use high-quality stock photos that feel natural or create your own AI-generated images. Real locations and satisfied expressions add authenticity.

7. Detailed Team Bios

While it’s great to show the real people behind your business, detailed team bios with personal likes and social media links can distract visitors. Instead, use a group photo on your “About Us” page to show there are real, smiling people behind your work without leading potential clients on a detour.

By removing these elements, you can significantly improve your website’s effectiveness in converting visitors into leads and paying clients. For a comprehensive guide on everything your website needs to automatically convert first-time visitors, check out my on-demand video training. It covers every aspect in detail, making it easier than you think to optimize your site for conversions. Click here to learn more and get started!