For most people, the website is the first point of contact between a business and potential customers. Yet many business owners still cling to outdated or misleading beliefs about what makes a website successful. These website myths can hinder growth, waste time and money, and ultimately cost you customers.
At Little Fire Digital, we’ve helped countless businesses overcome these misconceptions. So, let’s break down some of the most common website myths and explain why they might be holding your business back.
Table of Contents
Website Myth #1: “Once my site is live, I’m done.”
This, at Little Fire, is maybe our biggest bugbear and perhaps historically, our biggest mistake. We hand over a lovely new site and, a year or two later, it’s a little stale. Five years later, the client is unhappy with it.
The truth is that the launch of a website is the beginning, not the end. Sure, it took a lot of work and probably a fair bit of cash … but you cannot rest on your laurels for long.
Like everything else in your marketing arsenal, your website is a tool – nothing more. Leave a hammer on a table for a few years and you’d be amazed at how few nails it has driven.
- Even the process of assembling a website will likely affect the message you wish to convey … “Oh, I wish I’d said that!”. That clarity is valuable; why wouldn’t you make improvements while you have it?
- Any analysis of your visitors’ behaviours is likely to inform potential beneficial changes to the layout or design. Why wouldn’t you make adjustments to keep users from leaving?
Web technologies evolve and shift. User expectations shift. Competitors adapt. If your site doesn’t keep up, it won’t just stagnate – it’ll fall behind.
Just because you think you’re done, that doesn’t mean hackers have put their feet up. Regular security updates are not optional.
Takeaway: A website is an evolving asset. Regular maintenance and updates are essential for long-term performance and security.
Website Myth #2: “Design doesn’t matter as long as it works.”
There’s a persistent idea that design is just about aesthetics — something “nice to have” rather than essential. But the truth is, design plays a crucial role in how users interact with your site, whether they trust your brand and ultimately, whether they buy from you.
If your design looks outdated or unprofessional, visitors may leave before they’ve even read a word.
Effective web design isn’t just about looking pretty – it’s about clear communication, building your brand and creating a sense of trust and credibility.
Takeaway: Great design builds trust and drives conversions. Don’t underestimate its impact on your bottom line.
Website Myth #3: “My website works perfectly on my phone, it’s mobile optimised”
Device fragmentation, sadly, does not mean you’ve dropped your phone. The range of devices out there is giddying. There are no real standards out there any more.
- Screen Sizes: Any iPhone Max is likely to have a wider screen than a 17″ CRT monitor. Mobile-friendly is not enough – your website needs to be fully responsive.
- Technology: At the time of writing (May 2025), Safari still allows third-party cookies, Chrome doesn’t. Phones (particularly iPhones) don’t, by default, offer a range of browsers – don’t assume your phone will work the same on all devices.
- Orientation Changes: Does your site handle switching between portrait and landscape mode gracefully? Text wrapping, image scaling, and layout shifts can break in unexpected ways.
- Hardware and Software Differences: Older phones might have less processing power or memory, leading to slower performance or even crashes on complex sites.
- UX: Just because you know how your website is meant to work, doesn’t mean your visitors do – foreknowledge will impair your ability to judge user experience. Ask your friends to try your site and see how they get on with it. You might be surprised.
Just how far you take your mobile testing is a matter of resource. Google Lighthouse will give you a good idea of what Google thinks of your site’s mobile performance. Seeing how it actually works with the devices in everyone’s pockets takes expertise – you should talk to us.
Takeaway: Mobile optimisation isn’t optional. A smooth mobile experience is crucial for user satisfaction and SEO success.
Website Myth #4: “DIY website builders are just as good.”
Just. Not. True.
First things first. Wix, Squarespace and so on … they really do allow you to build a convincing-looking website without great knowledge or expertise.
They give you a lot of rope.
But a convincing-looking website without coherent navigation and UX will confuse and repel visitors as will a website without coherent messaging and content. It’s quite possibly worse than no website at all.
It doesn’t mean you can’t build a good website with such a platform, but you cannot assume that because it looks good, it is good.
In addition, you may find yourself boxed into rigid templates, limited in SEO capabilities and limited options to improve website performance. As your business grows and your needs become more complex, these platforms can become more of a hindrance than a help.
Professional websites are tailored to your business goals, not crammed into a generic template. They’re faster, more flexible, and built with performance, scalability and search visibility in mind.
We’re not saying a DIY web builders never work for any business, but it’s worth taking time to be sure before you commit.
Takeaway: DIY builders can be a good start, but for serious growth, you need a professionally built site that truly supports your goals.
Website Myth #5: “Nobody reads blogs anymore.”
Don’t tell Marcus Sheridan, his blog posts continue to make him millions.
Some businesses have written off blogging as a relic of the past – favouring social media instead. But well-informed, well-written blog content remains one of the most effective ways to build authority, improve SEO and drive organic traffic to your site. Social media posts remain visible for, at best, a few days.
According to Marcus:
“On average, 70 percent of the buying decision is made before a prospect talks to the company.”
Once published, that carefully crafted article you put together that answers your client’s specific question will quietly work away for you, 24/7/365, indefinitely. That expertise you shared builds trust and reputation even as you snooze.
Google loves fresh, relevant content – a regularly updated blog signals to search engines (and customers) that your business is active, knowledgeable and engaged with its industry. Regular content updates will prompt more frequent re-indexing from Google.
Further, search trends are changing: both in terms of AI-based search and more sophisticated user queries. Searches like ‘best curry sheffield’ is more frequently replaced with queries like ‘where can I get a great dopiaza in broomhill’ –simple keyword stuffing is no longer enough. If you know your stuff, you need to share a bit. How else will Google and/or potential customers know that you know?
Takeaway: Blogs are still relevant and valuable. A strategic content plan can boost visibility and help establish you as a trusted expert.
Website Myths – Final Thought
Clinging to outdated ideas can leave your business lagging behind. By recognising and debunking these common website myths, you put yourself in a better position to create a powerful, purposeful online presence.
At Little Fire Digital, we specialise in helping small businesses build websites that work not just technically, but strategically. From smart design and SEO to mobile optimisation and content planning, we know what it takes to turn your website into a growth engine.
If you’re ready to leave the myths behind and build a website that truly supports your business goals, we’re here to help.
Let’s Talk
Need a fresh look at your website? Want to make sure your online presence is helping, not hindering, your business? Book a call with the team at Little Fire Digital for a free consultation.
Let’s build something better, together.