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Perth WordPress Web Design: 10 Mistakes That Stop Small Businesses Getting Enquiries

Your WordPress site can look great and still struggle to generate enquiries. In Perth, human beings are skimming, tapping on mobile, and abandoning the moment when something seems to get sluggish or disorienting. It can often not be a large problem, but little leakages: ambiguous communication, poor calls-to-action, menus that are difficult to read, cluttered pages, and forms that are difficult to fill in. The guide will discuss 10 WordPress pitfalls, including easy ways out to make visits into calls, bookings, and quote requests.
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The 10 Conversion-Killing Mistakes (And Fix Focus)

1) Slow Load Times

A slow site silently leaks leads. Culprits include bloated themes, unpacked images, and third-party scripts. Begin with PageSpeed Insights, establish a performance budget, compress and lazy-load images, and enable caching. Core Web Vitals should be prioritised to achieve quantifiable benefits.

Fix Focus

  • Use pagespeed.web.dev to audit templates.
  • Optimise hero images; serve next-gen formats.
  • Remove unused plugins and scripts.

2) Not Mobile-First

Most local visitors arrive on phones. Non-responsive layouts, small tap targets, and intrusive pop-ups kill intent. Design mobile-first, test across devices, and fix layout shifts and interaction delays.

Fix Focus

  • Define mobile breakpoints before desktop.
  • Avoid overlay pop-ups on small screens.
  • Validate interaction responsiveness using INP guidance.

3) Vague Or Hidden CTAs

“Submit” says nothing. Benefit-led CTAs placed above the fold outperform clever but vague labels. Keep one primary action per screen and avoid competing buttons.

Fix Focus

  • Replace “Submit” with “Get A Free Quote” or “Book A Call.”
  • Add micro-CTAs for secondary paths.
  • Use consistent verbs site-wide.

4) Confusing Navigation

If people must hunt, they bounce. Flatten your information architecture, use plain language, and keep menus short. Avoid duplicate items and jargon.

Fix Focus

  • Limit top-level items to what buyers need now.
  • Add a clear “Services” and “Get A Quote.”
  • Test common tasks with two real customers.

5) Stocky, Generic Imagery

Cliché stock photos lower trust. Show your actual team, premises, and project outcomes; add captions that explain context and proof. Authentic imagery lifts engagement and enquiries.

Fix Focus

  • Use on-site photos and short captions.
  • Include before-and-after visuals.
  • Showcase recognisable Perth landmarks for relevance.

6) Plugin Sprawl & Neglected Updates

Too many plugins cause conflicts, slow pages, and security holes. Audit quarterly, remove duplicates, and keep only the maintained tools. Not keeping up can be costly: a recent W3 Total Cache vulnerability allowed remote code execution until patched.

Fix Focus

  • Keep a plugin inventory and owners.
  • Remove plugins with overlapping features.
  • Update weekly; monitor security feeds.

7) Weak Local SEO For Perth

Inconsistent NAP details, thin service-area pages, and weak Google Business Profile hurt visibility. Align your site with Google’s local guidance, maintain consistent citations, and gather reviews without incentives.

Fix Focus

  • Standardise NAP on site and listings.
  • Build suburb pages with proof and FAQs.
  • Keep GBP updated with accurate hours and services.

8) Forms That Fight Users

Long forms, unclear errors, and no inline validation crush conversions. Trim fields, enable inline validation, and consider multi-step flows for complex requests. Use clear error copy and progress cues.

Fix Focus

  • Ask only for the information needed to respond.
  • Provide real-time validation and helpful errors.
  • Offer a short “Request A Call” alternative.

9) Accessibility Gaps

Poor contrast, missing alt text, and keyboard traps exclude buyers and harm SEO. Meet WCAG 2.2 criteria for focus, inputs, and help. Fixing accessibility improves usability for everyone.

Fix Focus

  • Ensure 4.5:1 contrast for body text.
  • Provide visible focus indicators.
  • Label form inputs and error messages.

10) No Analytics Or Testing Cadence

If you can’t measure, you can’t improve. Configure GA4 conversions and funnels, add heatmaps, and A/B test headlines or form layouts. Iterate monthly.

Fix Focus

  • Track enquiry form submissions and calls as conversions.
  • Use heatmaps to find friction.
  • Test one change per month and keep the winner.

Perth-Specific Action Plan (Sprint Outline)

Week 1: Speed & Mobile Fixes; Plugin Audit

Run PSI on top templates; compress hero media; lazy-load. Minify CSS/JS and remove unused scripts. Test ordinary phones and fix layout shifts and tap targets. Keep only the maintained plugins and update them.

Week 2: CTA Copy, Nav Cleanup, Authentic Imagery Swap

Write benefit-led CTAs, simplify top-level menus, and add a dedicated “Get A Quote” page. Replace stock images with real team and project photos.

Week 3: Local SEO Tune-Up And Accessibility Pass

Standardise NAP across sites and directories, refresh your Google Business Profile, and publish suburb pages with social proof. Perform a WCAG 2.2 accessibility check.

Week 4: GA4 Goals, Heatmaps, One Test

Set conversion events and funnels in GA4, enable heatmaps, and test one form change plus one headline. Review results and repeat monthly. 

Stop the Leaks—Start the Enquiries

If your Perth WordPress site isn’t bringing in calls, it’s time to fix what’s quietly costing you leads.Planted Web Design will pinpoint the friction, tighten your messaging, speed up performance, and rebuild the key pages that turn visitors into enquiries, without guesswork. Want a clear plan, not a vague “refresh”? Book a quick consult, and we’ll show you exactly what to improve, what to keep, and what will move the needle fastest.

FAQs

Aim to pass Core Web Vitals and reduce time to interactive on key templates. Use PSI to prioritise fixes and track improvements.
Compress hero images and lazy-load media. This alone can shave seconds off first loads. Then remove unused plugins and scripts.
Yes. When genuinely earned. Google is cracking down on fake reviews, so follow the policy and ask real customers for feedback.
Accessibility improvements help everyone, reduce abandonment, and align with WCAG 2.2 standards. It’s a conversion win.
Test the shortest path to an enquiry: headline clarity and form length. Track conversions in GA4 and keep the winner.

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