Outdated Website? 5 Signs Your CPA Firm is Losing Business & Money

• Sep 02, 2024
• AFTW Marketing Team
• General Info

In today’s digital-first world, your website is often the first interaction a potential client has with your CPA firm. But if your website is outdated or difficult to navigate, you might be losing business without even realizing it. If clients are leaving your site before they even contact you, it’s like watching opportunities (and money) slip through your fingers. Not sure if your site is up to par? Here are five common signs that your website might be driving potential clients away—and what you can do about it.

1. Slow Load Times Are Killing Your First Impression

In the age of instant information, people don’t have time—or patience—to wait for a slow-loading website. If your site takes more than a few seconds to load, chances are potential clients are hitting the "back" button before they even get a glimpse of your services.

Research shows that nearly 40% of visitors will leave a website if it takes more than three seconds to load. That means if your site is slow, you could be losing almost half of your potential clients before they even get a chance to see what you offer. To fix this, consider optimizing your website’s images, reducing unnecessary code, and switching to a faster hosting provider. This simple change could have a huge impact on keeping visitors engaged.

2. Your Site Isn’t Mobile-Friendly

More than half of all web traffic comes from mobile devices, so if your website isn’t mobile-friendly, you’re missing out on a massive chunk of potential clients. A website that looks great on a desktop but falls apart on a phone or tablet is a surefire way to frustrate visitors and send them straight to your competition.

A mobile-responsive website adjusts seamlessly to any screen size, ensuring that no matter how someone is viewing your site, they’re having a positive experience. If your site doesn’t pass the mobile-friendly test, it’s time for a redesign. Investing in mobile responsiveness will help you capture leads from busy professionals on the go who want quick and easy access to your services.

3. Outdated Design Turns Clients Off

Your website design is a reflection of your firm’s professionalism and credibility. If it looks like it hasn’t been updated in a decade, clients might assume your services are equally outdated. An old-fashioned design, clunky navigation, or broken links can create a bad first impression that’s hard to recover from.

Clients are more likely to trust a firm with a modern, clean, and easy-to-use website. It shows that you care about their experience and that you’re keeping up with current trends. If your design feels outdated, a fresh, professional redesign can go a long way in building credibility and attracting new clients.

4. Lack of Clear Calls to Action (CTAs)

When potential clients visit your website, they should know exactly what steps to take next. If your website lacks clear calls to action (CTAs), such as "Schedule a Consultation" or "Contact Us Today," visitors might leave without taking any action at all.

CTAs are essential for guiding visitors through your site and encouraging them to reach out. If your site doesn’t have prominent, easy-to-find CTAs, you’re leaving it up to chance whether someone contacts you or not. Make sure every page has a clear CTA that stands out and encourages visitors to take the next step.

5. No SEO = No Traffic

You could have the best website in the world, but if no one can find it, it won’t do you much good. Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is what makes your website discoverable on search engines like Google. If your site isn’t optimized for SEO, you’re missing out on potential clients who are actively searching for CPA services.

An SEO-friendly website includes using the right keywords, creating valuable content, and optimizing your site’s technical structure. For example, if someone searches “CPA firm near me” and your site doesn’t show up, you’re losing business to competitors who have invested in SEO. By improving your SEO strategy, you can drive more organic traffic to your site and increase your chances of converting visitors into clients.

How to Turn Things Around: Actionable Tips

So, how do you fix these issues and stop losing business? Here are some actionable steps you can take to improve your website and start attracting clients:

• Improve Load Times: Use tools like Google PageSpeed Insights to analyze your site’s speed and identify ways to make it faster, such as compressing images or using a Content Delivery Network (CDN).
  
  
• Make It Mobile-Friendly: Test your site on multiple devices and invest in responsive design if it isn’t already in place. A mobile-friendly site is non-negotiable in today’s market.
  
  
• Update Your Design: If your website looks outdated, consider a redesign that reflects your firm’s professionalism and expertise. Clean, modern layouts with easy navigation will make a world of difference.
  
  
• Add Clear CTAs: Make sure each page on your website has a clear and compelling CTA. Whether it’s a button to schedule a consultation or a form to request more information, guide your visitors to take action.
  
  
• Focus on SEO: If SEO isn’t part of your strategy, start by conducting keyword research and optimizing your site’s content. Consider working with an SEO expert to ensure your site ranks well in search engine results.

Your website is one of your CPA firm’s most powerful tools for attracting and retaining clients. If it’s outdated or difficult to navigate, it could be costing you business without you even knowing it. By addressing common issues like slow load times, mobile responsiveness, and a lack of SEO, you can create a website that not only looks great but also works hard for your firm. Don’t let an outdated site hold your business back – the right updates could make all the difference in your firm’s success.

Is it time to upgrade your website? Let’s start the conversation today and see how a fresh, modern design can help your CPA firm thrive. Contact us now.

To learn more, read our article on why a professional website is essential to stay competitive.