5 signs your website’s a clapped-out old bomb
Stu
•3 June 2026
•5 min
Every town's got one.
An old Falcon parked out the front with three different coloured doors, a bumper held on with cable ties and a radio that only works if you give the dashboard a decent whack.
The owner still reckons she's a beauty.
"Starts every morning."
"Never lets me down."
"Doesn't owe me a cent."
Fair enough.
But if you were driving across Australia, you probably wouldn't choose that one.
Funny thing is...
I see business websites exactly like it.
They've had a new logo slapped on.
Someone changed the colours five years ago.
Maybe they even squeezed in a fancy slideshow.
But underneath...
She's still an old bomb.
Here are five signs your website might be due for a trip to the workshop.
1. It Takes Forever to Load
Nobody enjoys waiting.
If your homepage takes longer to load than making a cuppa, most people won't hang around.
They'll hit the Back button and give your competitor a go.
A good website should feel quick, smooth and ready to get to work.
Not like it's still warming up on a cold winter morning.
2. You Need to Ring Your Developer Every Time You Want to Change Something
Need to update a price?
Three emails.
Need to add a product?
Another invoice.
Want to change the homepage banner?
See you next Tuesday.
Nah.
That's not how it should be.
You should be able to make everyday changes yourself without needing a bloke with a laptop every five minutes.
3. It Looks Fine on Your Computer...
But have you actually looked at it on your phone lately?
More than half your visitors probably aren't sitting behind a desk.
They're on the couch.
In the lunchroom.
Standing in Bunnings.
If they're pinching the screen, hunting for buttons or giving up halfway through...
Your website isn't helping your business.
4. It Doesn't Bring You Enquiries
This one's simple.
When was the last time someone rang because they found you through your website?
If the answer is...
"Hmm... can't remember..."
Then maybe your website's become more of an online brochure than a salesperson.
A good website should be working while you're busy running the business.
5.You Keep Saying...
"We really should update the website."
I've heard that sentence hundreds of times.
Usually followed by...
"We'll get around to it one day."
The funny thing is...
If you already know it needs replacing, you're probably right.
Trust your gut.
Stu's Tip
Next time someone says your website looks fine, hand them your phone.
Ask them to find your contact page, your main service and your phone number.
Don't help.
Just watch.
You'll learn more in two minutes than any website report will tell you.
Final Thoughts
A website doesn't need all the latest bells and whistles.
It doesn't need flashy animations or fancy marketing buzzwords.
It just needs to do its job.
Help people understand what you do.
Make it easy to get in touch.
And leave a good first impression.
If your website's become more of a headache than a helping hand...
Maybe it's time for a fresh start.
No pressure.
No hard sell.
Just an honest chat over a cuppa and we'll tell you exactly what we'd do if it were our own business.
Stu
Stu’s been flogging honest, hand-built websites since he coded his first one as a teenager. One careful owner, no lemons, and a fair price every time. Ask him anything; he loves a chinwag.
