What owners really struggle with (and how to get results without overspending)
For many small business owners, the question of whether a website is worth the effort remains surprisingly unsettled. Some rely solely on word of mouth or social media, while others struggle with outdated sites that undermine their credibility. Across forums, review sites, and industry threads, the same concerns emerge: design that feels dated, technical development hurdles, unclear messaging, and unreliable hosting.
Yet alongside these frustrations are clear aspirations – for websites that build trust, attract customers, and run smoothly without constant intervention. This report examines those challenges and offers practical solutions grounded in the real words and experiences of entrepreneurs.
Photo by Ketut Subiyanto
Design
Common Problems: Small business owners often find that their websites look outdated or unprofessional. As one Reddit user put it, a local store’s web presence was “an absolute 1998 quality” relic. In other words, it felt like a site stuck in the last century, giving a bad first impression. Others note that many owners think a “good enough” design is sufficient and don’t invest in a polished look.
Budgets are a factor: quotes for a modern site can range wildly – for example, one commenter saw quotes from hundreds to tens of thousands, which can scare owners away from quality design. Mobile-friendliness is another pain point: owners see that their sites perform poorly on smartphones, frustrating customers and the owners alike.
Dream Outcomes: Small business owners want a clean, professional look that reflects their brand. In practice, this means a site that “looks sleek and runs normally” – nothing flashy or fancy, just crisp and attractive. Many say they want a site that works “awesome on a mobile device”, since most visitors browse on phones. In short, the ideal site would make the business seem credible and modern. It should have a simple, uncluttered layout with clear branding (logo, colors) so a visitor immediately knows who the business is and what it does.
Owners often hope that a well-designed homepage will answer key questions (who we are, what we do) at a glance. If the site is easy to read and navigate, visitors can form trust quickly; one design expert notes that a great design can boost sales and credibility, “instilling trust” that far outweighs its cost.
Image by Insight Creative, Inc.
Clear Solutions: Modern design best practices can bridge the gap between old and new. First, responsive (mobile-first) design is critical: pages should adapt to phones and tablets, not only large desktop monitors. Using a modern template or theme that scales cleanly on all devices ensures the “sleek” look owners want. Second, keep the layout simple and unique. Avoid clutter: studies show users read only about 28% of on-page text, so highlight the most important messages and call-to-action buttons. Use plenty of white space, legible fonts, and a professional logo (even a basic logo is better than clip-art).
Third, select a visual style and stick to it: consistent colors, images, and tone reinforce branding. (For example, if the business is a modern cafe, use bright, inviting colors and high-quality food photos.) Finally, incorporate current design trends in moderation: flat/minimalist layouts, larger images, and subtle animations can freshen a site, but avoid gimmicks like flashing banners or auto-playing media. In practice, many owners successfully use off-the-shelf templates from modern platforms (WordPress with a theme, or site builders like Squarespace/Wix) and customize them lightly.
The key is testing on a smartphone to ensure things look and work as intended. If design help is needed, owners can hire a freelance designer for a few hours of work on layout and branding; this investment often pays off by improving customer perception. In summary, focus on a professional look-and-feel that is clean and easy to use – a far cry from the “cookie-cutter” 1990s sites some owners dread.
Image by WebFX
Development
Common Problems: On the technical side, many small business owners feel overwhelmed. Classic DIY platforms (like WordPress or Wix) can be intimidating at first – one business owner admitted “WordPress is just so overwhelming” that they stopped work halfway and abandoned it. Others complain that simple updates or changes become a hassle, locking them out of their own site.
There’s also anxiety about hidden costs: a commenter noted that initial quotes for custom work can range from very low to extremely high, making it hard to know what to expect. Beyond price, owners worry about broken sites, security patches, and complicated plugins, so some prefer to postpone any updates at all. In short, the fear of technical headaches – plus pressure from aggressive “website builder” pitches – leads many to put off or abandon development projects.
Dream Outcomes: Ultimately, owners just want a working website without the drama. The most common request is a site that “looks and works awesome on a mobile device – that’s my main concern”. In practical terms, they want a site that loads quickly, has the necessary pages (Home, Services, Contact), and requires minimal effort to maintain. Many say they’d be happy with a straightforward landing page that tells customers who they are, what they offer, and how to get in touch.
Some remark that they “don’t need anything fancy” – just a solid, easy-to-navigate site. Others emphasize functionality over frills: if a platform can integrate their existing tools (email sign-ups, booking forms, e-commerce payments), that’s a win. In general, business owners want to avoid surprises. They need a predictable, manageable process to get online and then pay only routine, transparent fees (e.g., for hosting or minor updates).
Photo by Andrea Piacquadio
Clear Solutions: Fortunately, today’s tools make achieving these goals easier. For a simple, fast launch, many owners can use modern website builders (e.g. Wix, Webflow, Squarespace) that require no coding. These platforms have drag-and-drop editors and plenty of templates, letting a non-technical user create a decent site quickly.
If the owner is comfortable, WordPress + a page-builder plugin (like Elementor) is another DIY option – it offers flexibility and once set up, the site can be updated by anyone familiar with basic editing. If selling products or services online is needed, specialized platforms (e.g., Shopify for e-commerce, or simple shopping-cart plugins) can handle the technical side of payments securely.
For owners worried about doing it all, hiring a freelancer or small agency can be cost-effective – many startups or new developers charge a modest one-time fee for a custom theme or initial setup. As one experienced marketer advised, it often costs less in time to pay someone to build the basic site than to spend weeks fumbling through technical details.
Even then, the ongoing maintenance can be kept simple: choose a host with automated updates and backups, and use built-in site editors for small changes. In practice, one owner shared that a basic landing page built on a “free disposable site builder” served well for months. (They cautioned only to watch content volume: if you need to write a lot, ensure the tool can handle it.)
The modern approach is: start with a clear plan (sketch out pages and content), then pick a solution that matches the budget and skillset. If mobile usability is key, test any design on phones during development. Keep code/plugins updated, but consider managed hosting for ease – many hosts now offer one-click WordPress installs and security checks.
By doing a bit of research (for example, reading user reviews or Q&A threads), owners can avoid the “spammers” and find honest developers or services. Overall, the solution is to balance cost and control: use user-friendly tools or affordable help to get a good site up, and only pay for additional development if and when the site needs to scale.
Photo by Startup Stock Photos
Copywriting
Common Problems: Many small businesses struggle with content. It’s not uncommon for owners to put off writing text until the last minute, only to get stuck when that minute comes. One copywriter noted that businesses hire help because they have trouble “communicating the value of their services” and “identifying what makes them different from their competitors”. In other words, owners often know what they do but find it hard to say why customers should care.
They also get frustrated by high “bounce rates” – visitors leave quickly, which they suspect is because the site’s words aren’t compelling enough. Some admit they feel embarrassed or insecure about their writing, worried their message sounds unprofessional. In practice, common complaints include not knowing what sections a homepage should have, struggling to write clear service descriptions, or simply having no time to craft headlines and blog posts.
Dream Outcomes: Owners generally want clear, persuasive copy that converts visitors into buyers. The ideal is text that instantly tells a customer: “This business knows how to help you.” For example, they want a strong headline and call-to-action on the homepage, straightforward service pages (with bullet lists or benefits, not walls of text), and perhaps a blog that answers common customer questions.
Many envision content that sounds friendly and credible – maybe mirroring the tone they use in person. They also hope for SEO-friendly writing (using keywords) to attract search traffic, but in a way that feels natural. One user said they’d invest in copywriting once they see how “the right words can turn visitors into buyers”. In summary, dream copy engages and guides the reader, making the business stand out.
Clear Solutions: Good copywriting follows a few modern practices. First, clarity over creativity: use simple language and short paragraphs. Highlight key points with bullet lists or subheaders so readers can scan – remember that most visitors won’t read every word. As mentioned, studies show users read only about 28% of the text on a page, so put the most important info up front (“less is more”).
Second, focus on customer benefit. Instead of listing features (“We sell high-speed vacuums”), explain how the customer wins (“Clean your home faster with our powerful vacuum”). Use an active voice and avoid jargon. Then, incorporate SEO basics: naturally include a few keywords (e.g. “Boston pet grooming”) in titles and headings, but prioritize readability.
Owners may find it helpful to draft content in steps: start with a concise statement of “who, what, where” (e.g. “ABC Plumbing – Reliable, local plumbing service in Randburg”), then add brief paragraphs for each service. Including a personal or trust-building element (like years in business or a founder’s note) can make the site feel authentic.
If writing isn’t their strength, many small business owners hire a freelance writer or even ask friends or colleagues to proofread. (One Redditor noted that such help is often underestimated – a pro copywriter can improve conversions significantly when they help with messaging.)
For those on a tight budget, using online tools or guides can help structure content. For instance, treat each page as answering a specific question: “What problem do I solve for my customers?” and “Why should they trust me?” Also, always include a clear call-to-action (“Call now for a free quote”, “Book an appointment today”) on home and contact pages.
Finally, once the site is live, owners should review actual website analytics: if pages have high bounce rates, it’s a sign the copy needs tweaking. Remember, copy can be updated continuously – it’s not set in stone. The key is starting with organized, customer-focused writing, testing what resonates, and improving over time.
Photo by Andrea Piacquadio
Hosting
Common Problems: Hosting and maintenance issues often catch owners off guard. Common complaints include unreliable support and hidden hassles. For example, a Wix user wrote of “constant problems with not being able to send emails to [Gmail] accounts” and lamented that the company had “no customer care line, only online” support. In other cases, owners are frustrated by surprise renewal price hikes: one builder noted the subscription cost “kept going up” unexpectedly over years.
Many worry about downtime (when their site or email is inaccessible) or complex control panels. Choosing between cheap shared hosting or pricier managed services can be confusing, and a fear of getting locked into a bad deal causes stress.
Dream Outcomes: Small business owners ultimately want peace of mind with hosting. Their ideal scenario is a website that’s always up and fast to load, without them having to watch it 24/7. They want an easy dashboard or a friendly interface to manage updates, or even better, a service that handles updates for them behind the scenes. A strong support system is high on the wish list: ideally, there would be quick, knowledgeable help (chat or phone) if something breaks.
Owners also hope hosting plans are transparent: one common sentiment is that after paying for the site build, “once you’re on the website, that should be it” – only reasonable ongoing costs like hosting or optional updates should apply. In short, the dream is a worry-free hosting setup: automatic backups, free security (SSL certificate), no hidden fees, and maybe even a phone line for urgent issues.
Photo by Anna Shvets
Clear Solutions: To achieve this, small businesses have several options. First, choose a reputable host known for small business service. Many providers specialize in easy WordPress or all-in-one hosting (e.g. SiteGround, Bluehost, Hostinger) and offer 24/7 chat support.
Alternatively, managed cloud services (like DigitalOcean or Amazon Lightsail) can be configured for reliability, though they require a bit more setup. Either way, owners should ensure the plan includes automatic daily backups and free SSL encryption (security certificates).
Second, opt for simplicity: a managed WordPress host or website builder’s hosting often includes automatic software updates and security patches, so the owner doesn’t have to manually update systems. This avoids the “broken site” headache.
For email, use a separate service (like Google Workspace or Outlook for business email) rather than relying solely on the website host, which sidesteps many common mailbox issues.
Third, monitor performance: use tools (even free ones) to check site uptime and speed. Some hosts offer built-in CDN (content delivery network) or caching that can make pages load faster globally – important if customers are remote. If the site has grown, consider upgrading to a higher tier or a VPS (virtual private server) for more resources.
Finally, keep costs predictable. One experienced owner explained that after investing in a site, they pay a manageable cost per month for hosting and backups – “which is reasonable” – and otherwise avoid extra fees.
In practice, many small businesses spend far less; shared hosting can be as low as R100-R300 per month. Owners should look for plans that lock in a reasonable rate and allow them to pay monthly or annually transparently, without mysterious add-ons.
Photo by Pixabay
In summary, the solution is to prioritize stability and support. By selecting a well-reviewed hosting provider and taking advantage of included maintenance features, owners can minimize downtime and technical surprises.
Regularly renewing the hosting and domain before expiry, and setting up a simple backup strategy (even exporting the site periodically), will keep the website running smoothly. With these modern hosting practices, the small business owner can rest assured their site is an asset, not a liability.
Sources: Quotes and insights are drawn from small business forums (e.g. Reddit r/smallbusiness and r/web_design) and user reviews (e.g. Trustpilot) where entrepreneurs describe their website experiences. These real voices highlight the common pain points and desires summarized above.
Wayne McRae is a tech writer with a strong background in digital marketing and web development. He holds multiple coding certifications and has hands-on experience building and optimizing websites for performance, SEO, and user experience. With expertise that spans content creation, marketing strategy, and technical implementation, Wayne bridges the gap between complex technology and clear, practical communication.
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