Top 3 Website Mistakes Personal Brands Make (And How to Fix Them)
Your personal brand website is often the first place potential clients, partners, or employers go to learn about you. It’s your digital business card and a vital tool for building credibility. However, many personal brands make critical mistakes that hurt their online presence—and they may not even realize it.
At BrandPsyche, we’ve seen it all, and we know exactly how to fix these common issues. In this article, we'll dive into the top 3 website mistakes personal brands make and give you practical steps to correct them.
1. Lack of Clarity on Who You Are and What You Do
The Problem:
One of the biggest mistakes we see is vague messaging. Visitors land on your site and still have no idea who you are, what you offer, or how you can help them. You might have a beautifully designed site, but if your messaging is unclear, you're losing potential opportunities.
How to Fix It:
Craft a Clear Value Proposition: Your website’s homepage should have a simple, clear message that answers these three questions: Who are you? What do you do? How do you solve your audience's problems?
For example: "I help small business owners grow their online presence through tailored marketing strategies that convert."Simplify Navigation: Your website should guide visitors naturally. Make sure your services, about section, and contact details are easy to find from any page. Simplified navigation leads to more engagement and conversions.
Use Visuals That Match Your Brand: Make sure the imagery on your website reflects your brand personality and communicates the type of work you do. Whether it's high-quality photos, videos, or graphics, every visual should align with your messaging.
Pro Tip: Don’t try to appeal to everyone. Your brand messaging should be laser-focused on your target audience. Make it easy for them to understand how you are the solution to their problems. Download our free BrandStory Workbook to help you with your value proposition.
2. No Clear Call to Action (CTA)
The Problem:
Another common mistake is failing to tell your website visitors what action to take next. You may have fantastic content and a compelling story, but if there’s no clear CTA, your audience is left wondering what to do. This results in missed leads and lower conversion rates.
How to Fix It:
Create Strong, Actionable CTAs: Every page on your website should guide visitors toward the next step, whether that’s booking a consultation, downloading a free resource, or subscribing to your newsletter. Avoid vague phrases like “Learn More” or “Contact Me” and opt for something more specific like “Schedule a Free 15-Minute Consultation” or “Download My Free Branding Guide.”
Add CTAs to Key Sections: Place clear CTAs in multiple locations on your homepage, services page, and even within blog posts. Visitors should never have to scroll far to take action. But don’t overdo it—your CTAs should feel natural, not pushy.
Use Multiple Formats: CTAs can come in different formats. Consider adding buttons, banners, or even exit pop-ups that encourage visitors to take the next step before they leave your site.
Pro Tip: Experiment with different CTA styles, placement, and wording. A/B testing can help you figure out what resonates best with your audience.
3. Poor Mobile Optimization
The Problem:
In today’s world, mobile responsiveness is no longer optional. More than 50% of web traffic comes from mobile devices, yet many personal brand websites aren’t optimized for mobile viewing. A poorly optimized mobile experience can drive visitors away in seconds, costing you leads and engagement.
How to Fix It:
Choose a Mobile-Responsive Template: Whether you’re building a site from scratch or revamping your existing one, choose a design template or theme that automatically adjusts for mobile screens. Platforms like Squarespace or WordPress offer mobile-responsive designs out of the box.
Test Across Devices: Don’t just assume your website works well on mobile. Test it on various devices and screen sizes to make sure it looks great and functions properly. Check that your images, text, and buttons resize correctly without disrupting the user experience.
Simplify Mobile Navigation: Mobile users want a streamlined experience. Ensure your navigation is easy to access, with clear menu items that don’t require excessive scrolling or clicking. Keep forms short and CTAs front and center on mobile.
Pro Tip: Mobile optimization also impacts your search engine rankings. Google prioritizes mobile-friendly sites, so improving your mobile experience can also boost your SEO.
Conclusion: Build a Brand That Stands Out
Your personal brand website is your online headquarters. If you make any of these three mistakes, you're missing out on valuable opportunities to connect, engage, and convert visitors into clients or followers. By clarifying your messaging, using clear CTAs, and optimizing for mobile, you'll ensure that your website reflects the strong personal brand you’ve worked hard to build.
At BrandPsyche, we specialize in helping thought leaders and ambitious professionals create compelling personal brand websites that shine online. Ready to level up your website? Work with us to build a site that represents you at your best and turns visitors into clients.