Some websites may look polished, but still feel hard to use. We see this a lot in Sarasota. A business might have nice photos and a bright color scheme, but that doesn’t always mean people stick around. What actually matters is how simple and helpful the site feels the moment someone lands on it.
Good web design in Sarasota isn’t just about style. It’s about function too. Are people finding what they need within a few seconds? Or are they backing out because nothing’s clear? Winter only adds to the pressure. With more tourists arriving and locals juggling busy schedules, small web design problems can chase visitors away faster than usual.
Confusing Menus and Navigation
One of the first things people notice, often without thinking, is how easy it is to move around the site. If your menu has too many links or uses vague wording, people freeze. They don’t want to play a guessing game.
• Stick to a small set of important pages in the menu
• Use short, clear names like “About,” “Services,” or “Contact”
• Avoid hidden pages or dropdowns that disappear too fast
On mobile, this becomes even more important. People are often holding coffee in one hand or walking around while browsing. They need one-thumb navigation. The cleaner and more direct the layout, the better it works in a real person’s day.
PERC focuses on creating user-friendly navigation, as highlighted on our web design page, by streamlining menu items and using intuitive mobile layouts for Sarasota clients.
Too Much Text or Not Enough Info
Both ends of the writing spectrum cause trouble. Long stretches of text push people away, especially on phone screens. At the same time, if your site doesn’t say where you are, what you do, or when you’re open, people give up just as quickly.
The better choice is somewhere in the middle. Clear, helpful lines that cover the basics without dragging on make all the difference.
• Use simple language that sounds like something you’d actually say
• Break up long blocks with spaces, bullet points, or short paragraphs
• Mention your services, your location, and how someone can visit or call
People in a rush want fast answers. Any sentence that slows them down might be a sentence too many.
As part of our web strategy, we help businesses adapt content for clarity and location, so visitors in Sarasota instantly know who, where, and how to connect.
Missing or Outdated Contact Info
Few things slow down a visit more than not being able to find the hours, phone number, or address. And if those details aren’t current, it can make your whole site feel forgotten.
• Always double-check that your hours match the actual season
• Make sure the phone number lets people call with one tap on a mobile screen
• Link to an accurate map that lets tourists figure out directions quickly
Winter makes this even more important. People are checking in from out of town or squeezing in errands before dark. If something basic like your Sunday hours is wrong, they may never circle back.
Our Sarasota web design service includes regularly updating contact details and adding click-to-call functionality, both featured in our website package features.
Not Mobile-Friendly or Slow to Load
We all use our phones nonstop. Sarasota locals check sites between appointments. Visitors pull up info while sitting by the water. If your site can’t load quickly or if parts won’t adjust to fit the screen, people move on.
• Use responsive design so the site shifts smoothly across screen sizes
• Skip large images that take forever to appear
• Avoid pop-ups or menus that are hard to close on a small screen
Speed matters. Most people won’t wait 10 seconds for a homepage to load, not when there are five other tabs open. A site that works smoothly on mobile feels reliable, and that builds trust fast.
PERC’s website builds are optimized for fast loading across all devices and use mobile-responsive layouts, which is part of our promise for all Sarasota-area clients.
Out-of-Season Content or Unclear Services
If someone lands on your homepage in February and it still says “Fall Sale,” it’s an easy red flag. It doesn’t feel current, and that can make people question whether your business is still active.
This kind of small slip can be fixed just by checking in on the basics every few weeks. Content that fits the time of year and makes your services clear gives visitors more confidence.
• Remove outdated seasonal promos or posts that reference months long past
• Reword headers so they mention the services you offer now
• Make it obvious what your business actually does and who you help
Good web design in Sarasota pays attention to this. In a place where small businesses often get one shot to connect before the visitor heads back home, staying current carries more weight.
Help People Want to Stay, Not Click Away
The goal of most websites is to help someone feel like they’ve found what they were looking for. Simple shifts, like fixing menu confusion or adding a one-click call button, can help people stick around long enough to connect.
Those small problems don’t feel small to your visitors. On the other side of the screen, they’re juggling errands, family plans, or beach time. If your site makes them think too hard or scroll too much, they won’t stay.
Clean design makes that decision easier. When someone finds what they need without frustration, they’re more likely to trust the experience. And when your content reflects current information, speaks with clarity, and loads without delay, you’re already ahead of most.
That’s what we focus on fixing, those small things that, when corrected, make all the difference for real users. After all, the best websites aren’t just good-looking. They’re the ones that make visitors feel like they’re in the right place.
At Perc, we know how important it is for your website to meet the expectations of Sarasota visitors. Even minor updates can make a major difference in helping your customers find what they need and feel confident moving forward. We’ve worked with local businesses to fix everything from confusing menus to outdated information, and we’re ready to help you too. Our experience with web design in Sarasota gives us the insight to create a site that works for both locals and tourists. Let’s connect and discuss how we can make your site more effective for everyone.
