3 Common Website Mistakes Service Providers Make — And How to Fix Them
In today’s digital world, a website isn’t just “nice to have.” It should actively support your business growth—especially if you’re a neurodivergent or queer service provider. Even small design mistakes can hurt your ability to attract and keep clients. If you’re overwhelmed by industry standards or unsure where to start, you’re not alone. Let’s explore three common website pitfalls and, more importantly, how to fix them so your site becomes a client-magnet.
Honestly, there were years when my coaching website brought in zero clients. It was not clear what I did, how I could help, or what benefits they might experience from coaching, and most people bounced very quickly after arriving to my website. They were leaving confused and less interested than they were when they arrived.
Common Website Mistakes Overview
Website Optimization Matters
Your website needs to quickly show visitors what you offer and why it matters.
When it’s optimized:
User Experience Improves: Site visitors can find information quickly, minimizing frustration.
Search Rankings Rise: Clear, keyword-rich pages often rank higher in search engines, drawing in more potential clients.
Conversions Go Up: A streamlined path from browsing to booking translates into more sign-ups, consult calls, and overall engagement.
For neurodivergent or queer providers, website optimization goes beyond visuals. It means inclusive design elements, accessible layouts, and language that truly speaks to your audience.
Challenges for Neurodivergent & Queer Providers
Traditional web design can be rigid and not always inclusive. If you’re neurodivergent, juggling standard design norms might be exhausting, resulting in a site that feels chaotic or hard to navigate.
You have some amazing skills, but maybe websites design to convert isn’t one of them.
If you’re queer (or both!), representing your authentic self while still bringing in your ideal clients may feel like a daunting challenge. Combine these pressures, and you might end up with a website that doesn’t clearly connect with your dream clients.
Understanding these hurdles lets you build a space that’s truly neurodivergent-friendly, queer-affirming, and easy for visitors to explore. This clarity ensures you’re not trapped by mainstream “rules,” but instead forging a site that is authentic to your brand.
Mistake 1: Ineffective Headline
A headline is your site’s handshake. In seconds, it shows visitors who you are, what you do, and why it matters to them. If it’s vague or uninspiring, most potential clients will close your page right away. According to research, you have 5 seconds to inform visitors exactly what problem you solve, and who you help before they will decide to bail. If this is not immediately clear on your site, before visitors scroll, you have a problem.
For neurodivergent or queer clients seeking a therapist or coach, clarity in your headline is vital—especially when it pinpoints a specific challenge. A direct, supportive statement like “Guiding Autistic Therapists to Overcome Burnout and Reclaim Their Passion” or “Inclusive Coaching for LGBTQ+ Leaders Facing Workplace Discrimination” shows exactly who you help and how. By pinpointing both the individual and their pain point, you immediately signal that your services are tailored to their unique needs.
I used to think of my coaching website like a virtual business card. I didn’t think about it as an employee who could do the selling, and the slow, sporadic sales I did make there came from people who already knew me in some way. When I changed the headline on my coaching website to fit this formula, I got a sale from a brand new client on my site in the first week. Visitors also immediately started staying on my website longer, which Google likes to see in order to recommend the site.
Crafting a Client-Centric Headline
Pinpoint the Problem: Identify the exact issue your service solves (e.g., “DIY design nightmares,” “lack of focus for ADHD entrepreneurs”).
Speak Their Language: Use words your ideal clients actually use (don’t complex jargon, this is not the place for therapy speak). Instead of “I help clients overcome anxiety” try, “Guiding you to overcome your freak out habit”.
Highlight the Result: Show them what they gain—“Find Calm,” “Boost Income,” or “Save Time.” They need to really feel the benefits they could miss out on to make the sale, as committing to spending is an emotional choice for most of us.
For instance, instead of a generic “Welcome!” headline, try:
“Break Free from Burnout: Compassionate Therapy for Stressed Professionals” or
“Elevate Your Impact: ADHD-Friendly Systems for Time-Starved Consultants”.
Mistake 2: Unclear Call-to-Action
A lot of service providers, especially neurodivergent ones, will shy away from making clear calls to action. We don’t want to seem pushy, salesy, or trigger someone’s PDA. The trouble is, this is backfiring. When it is not clear on your site what your business needs visitors to do, they often lose interest, wander off, or feel anxious and confused before leaving.
Calls-to-action guide visitors toward the next step—like scheduling a call, downloading a free guide, or joining your newsletter. If your CTA is too vague or hard to find, visitors won’t know how to proceed.
For ADHD or easily distracted visitors, having a prominent, easy-to-click button labeled “Book Your Free Consultation” or “Get Your Inclusive Brand Audit” removes guesswork. If you serve a queer audience, consider adding a welcoming twist like “Ready to Partner with an LGBTQ+ Ally?” or “Join Our Queer-Friendly Community Now.” This instantly shows them you get their unique needs. Also, if you serve queer clients make sure blogs or sections of your site discussing relationships reflect queer experiences.
When I first made the CTA’s on my coaching website specific and clear, my click through rate went up 67%. Apparently no one was clicking on those buttons before. 😬
Designing Action-Oriented CTAs
Use action verbs that create excitement—“Get Started,** Unlock,** or Discover.” Make the button color pop (like bright turquoise or sunny yellow) against your background. It can be helpful to use the button color sparingly anywhere else on your site. Make sure this color is high contrast and easy to see. Keep text short: “Join Us,” “Book Now,” or “Learn More.”
Place it prominently: near the top of your homepage, after a section describing your services, or at the bottom of a compelling blog post.
Test different wordings: “Claim Your Spot” vs. “Get a Free Consult” to see what gets the most clicks.
Make it count: Pick the one thing that would most benefit your business to feature in your CTA. If you find most people who speak with you decide to work with you, urge visitors to book a free consult.
SEO note: If relevant, include your keyword near the CTA, like “Book Your Neurodivergent-Friendly Coaching Session” with a button saying Book Now next.
Mistake 3: Overwhelming Website Design
Confusing menus can turn visitors away in seconds. Keep the main menu to 4–6 items (Home, About, Services, Blog, Contact). Choose clear, simple labels—no fancy jargon that leaves people guessing.
For neurodivergent users, consistent, easy-to-read menus reduce cognitive load. If you have a big site (e.g., many blog posts or product categories), add a search bar or use a drop-down that’s still straightforward, like “Services” > “Web Design for ADHD Coaches,” “Inclusive Branding for Queer Therapists,” etc. This approach also makes your site more SEO-friendly, as it highlights those key phrases in your navigation.
Using White Space Wisely
White space (or negative space) is your friend. It prevents clutter and helps visitors focus on the content that matters most. For neurodivergent folks who can get overstimulated by too much text and color, white space provides breathing room. For queer audiences, it’s about creating a clean, welcoming environment that feels clear, and lets them know fully get their humanity.
Try to leave enough space around images, headlines, and paragraphs. Think of it like cleaning up the clutter on your desk. Keep font sizes readable, and ensure good color contrast (like dark text on a light background) for accessible user experience. Don’t jam everything together. Doing so makes your site easier to read, reduces bounce rates, and fosters a positive impression of your brand.
SEO note: Balanced design and clear structure often lead to visitors staying longer, which can improve your “time on page” metrics—something search engines take to mean you are providing value, which boosts your rankings.
Now What?
When you fix these mistakes, it’s easier for people to:
Understand who you are and how you help.
Stay curious and engaged with your site.
Feel recognized if they’re neurodivergent or identify as LGBTQ+, fostering deeper trust.
Take action—whether that’s booking a consult or joining your newsletter with a fantastic 🔥 nurture sequence.
For neurodivergent and queer providers, these improvements show you value inclusivity, authenticity, and ease-of-use. Ultimately, that clarity means more satisfied clients and a stronger digital presence.
Visitor time on my coaching site jumped 2367% the month after I made these changes to my coaching website without even making upgrades to layout, design, or anything else.
Transform Your Website with an Audit
Want a comprehensive look 🔎 at what’s helping or hurting your site? Book a website audit. You’ll discover:
Weak headlines that don’t speak to your audience.
Unclear CTAs that could be costing you leads.
Design issues impacting neurodivergent-friendly or queer-inclusive user experiences.
Don’t let avoidable slip-ups stand in the way of your business growth. Book a website audit today and turn your site into a welcoming, high-converting space that truly reflects your work and the outcomes you get for your clients.
