Why a Bad Website Is Killing Your Business (And What to Do About It)

Why a Bad Website Is Killing Your Business (And What to Do About It)

Let me tell you a quick story.

When I was in medical school, we learned about something many people in local communities use: pit toilets.

Now, they might look simple on the outside.

But when they’re dirty, they’re dangerous especially for women and young girls.

Why?

Because hot, dirty air rises up from the hole.

Pit toilet

When a woman squats over that, bacteria and germs can enter directly into her body.

It can lead to infections, diseases, and long-term health problems.

To prove this to locals, we used a simple test:

  • We took a plain white sheet of paper

  • Soaked it in water

  • Held it above the toilet hole for 15 minutes

When we pulled it out, it wasn’t white anymore. It was dark brown.

Damped white cloth turn dark brown

The evidence was right there. You could see it. You couldn’t deny it.

And now here’s the part most business owners won’t like:

That’s exactly what your website is doing to your business.

You have a website, yes. It’s online. But it’s dirty. Broken. Outdated.

And just like that toilet, it’s silently damaging your business every single day.

It doesn’t show on Google. It doesn’t bring traffic. It doesn’t load well on phones.

It’s confusing. It’s ugly. And worst of all, it makes people not trust you.

But you’re still squatting over it.

Still managing with that old design from 2017.

Still using that junior developer who gave you a “cheap deal.” Still telling yourself “it’s not that bad.”

Let’s be real: A bad website is worse than no website.

Why?

Because a bad website actively drives people away. It tells people your business doesn’t care.

It screams “unprofessional.” It gives off the vibe of someone who’s not serious.

And let me say this plainly: A cheap website that doesn’t work is costing you more than a professional one that does.

ALSO READ: How Long to Build a Website in Cameroon?

What Happens When You Have a Bad Website?

Let’s break it down:

  • You lose trust. People click and leave because they don’t feel safe buying from you.

  • You lose visibility. Google won’t show your site in search results if it’s slow or broken.

  • You lose customers. Your phone doesn’t ring. Your sales don’t grow.

And here’s the worst part: you might not even notice how bad it is because you’ve gotten used to it.

But just like that dirty toilet, the damage is happening slowly, quietly until one day, it’s too late.

You wake up and:

  • No one visits your site.

  • Your sales are flat.

  • Everyone else is growing except you.

ALSO READ: Why I Charge More to Build Your Website in Cameroon

Why Do Small Business Owners Settle for Bad Websites?

Because of one big lie: “Cheap is better.”

You want to save money. So you pay a cousin, a neighbor, a student, or someone random on Facebook who says, “I can make you a website for 75,000 CFA.”

And yes, they build you something. But it’s:

  • Slow

  • Not mobile-friendly

  • Has typos

  • Has broken links

  • No SEO

  • No strategy

It’s a toilet. A digital toilet.

And you’re sitting on it.

What You Should Do Instead

Here’s what I recommend if you want your business to grow in 2025:

1. Stop defending your old site.

Admit it’s not working. That’s the first step. Pride won’t pay your bills.

2. Test your site.

There are free tools like:

These will show you clearly what’s wrong.

3. Hire someone who knows what they’re doing.

A real web designer will ask about your business goals, your customers, and your brand. They won’t just slap up a few pages and disappear.

4. Focus on results, not price.

You wouldn’t go to the cheapest doctor or the cheapest lawyer. Don’t do it for your business website either.

5. Update your content.

Make sure your site speaks directly to your ideal customers using the words they use. Make it clear, clean, and easy to understand.

6. Make it mobile first.

Over 90% of Cameroonians use the internet on their phones. If your site looks bad on mobile, you’re done.

ALSO READ: How to Use the 80/20 Rule to Improve Website Conversion

Wrapping Up

Your website is the front door of your business online.

If it’s broken, dirty, slow, or confusing people will leave before they even get to know you.

And just like that paper above the toilet hole, the truth is easy to test. The signs are there.

  • If your traffic is low

  • If people aren’t contacting you

  • If sales aren’t coming in

It’s time to stop squatting over digital filth.

Fix the problem.

Invest in a website that actually brings you business.

Your future customers are watching.

And they don’t trust toilets.

Need help fixing your website? Reach out. I’ll show you exactly what’s wrong and how to build something that works.

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