5 Signs Your Coaching Website Is Costing You Clients (and How to Fix It)
Your website is often the first impression potential clients have of your business — it’s how they connect with you and what you offer before they decide to contact you. But here’s the truth: if your site isn’t designed strategically, it could be quietly turning potential clients away before you ever get a discovery call.
Here are five signs your coaching website is costing you clients — and how to fix each one to start attracting more aligned leads.
1. Your Website Takes Too Long to Load
The problem:
When someone is exploring coaching, they’re often seeking clarity and ease. A slow, clunky website sends the opposite message — confusion and frustration. If your site takes more than a few seconds to load, visitors will leave before they even read your offer.
How to fix it:
Compress your images and videos. (If you are using Wordpress you can use a plugin to do this. Elementor has one that works well with their builder) Squarespace and Wix automatically do this but it’s still advisable not to use larger than necessary images.
Clean up unnecessary plugins and widgets. (Make sure what you are using is only what’s necessary).
Use a fast, reliable hosting platform. I recommend Siteground for Wordpress. Squarespace and Wix have their own hosting that is fast and reliable.
Don’t overload your pages with too much content. Images and videos should be strategically placed and copy should be relevant to what your website visitors need to know, not text heavy or overwhelming. Adding too much information is just as damaging as not enough.
Pro tip: Check your speed on Google PageSpeed Insights. A fast site makes your coaching brand feel polished and professional.
2. Your Site Isn’t Mobile-Friendly
The problem:
Most people researching coaches are doing it from their phone — on the go, between meetings, or in a quiet moment of reflection. If your site doesn’t adjust to smaller screens, your words of wisdom might never be read.
How to fix it:
Use a mobile-responsive design that adapts automatically. I recommend Elementor for Wordpress and Squarespace and Wix have built-in responsiveness, just make sure to check everything looks right before you hit publish!
Make sure buttons are large and easy to tap and are in a high contrast color compared with the rest of your website so they stand out.
Simplify your menu — keep it to 3–5 key pages. If you have additional pages you can link to those from your main pages on your menu.
Pro tip: Test your website on both iPhone and Android. If your “Book a Call” button doesn’t stand out, you’re losing conversions.
3. Your Message Isn’t Clear or Compelling
The problem:
Visitors should instantly understand who you coach, what transformation you offer, and how they can take the next step. Too many coaching websites are filled with vague phrases like “unlock your potential” — but don’t clearly communicate the result or the benefits the client will receive from choosing you as their coach.
How to fix it:
Use clear, client-focused language. Your copy should clearly include the pain points that your clients suffer from and how your services can get them to where they want to be i.e. the end results of working with you. Don’t focus on your process or the tools you use, focus on the results - what you can give them.
Start with a strong headline: “Helping [your niche] go from [problem] to [desired outcome].”
Add a visible call-to-action: “Book Your Free Discovery Session.” or “Let’s talk about your health” See my post on Emotionally Led Design that helps you connect with your potential clients through your copy and design.
Pro tip: Ask a friend to read your homepage for 10 seconds, then tell you what you do. If they can’t explain it clearly, it’s time to refine your copy.
4. Your Design Feels Outdated or Off-Brand
The problem:
As a coach, trust and credibility are everything. An outdated or inconsistent website design can make even a seasoned coach look inexperienced or out of touch.
How to fix it:
Refresh your visuals with modern fonts and colors that reflect your personality and coaching style. Branding is so important, it helps you connect with your niche and stay relevant and recognizable online.
Use authentic photos — even one or two professional shots make a big difference. If you use stock photos for your offerings make sure they convey the feelings that you want your potential clients to experience. Choosing the right stock photos for your website is HUGELY important!
Simplify! White space and clarity help your message breathe. So many coaches put everything under the sun on their offerings page and forget to include white space. Don’t do this! Keep your copy relevant to what they need to know so the main points hit home.
Pro tip: Your website should feel like an extension of your coaching energy — whatever that looks/feels like based on your unique vibe i.e. calm, confident, and inviting or safe, inclusive and peaceful or passionate, reassuring and grounded.
5. You’re Not Tracking What’s Working
The problem:
If you don’t know where your clients are coming from or what’s making them book a call, you can’t improve your marketing. Many coaches launch a site and forget to check whether it’s actually converting.
How to fix it:
Install Google Analytics (GA4) or an alternative on Wordpress. Connect your Squarespace or Wix website to Google Search Console so you have the right analytics in your dashboard.
Track clicks on your “Book a Call” or “Apply Now” buttons.
Check your bounce rate and what content gets the most visits with the longest amount of time spent on that page.
Pro tip: Set a simple monthly goal — for example, “I want 10 people to schedule a discovery call.” Then, review your site data to see what’s helping or hindering that.
Final Thoughts
Your coaching website should feel like your best coaching session — warm, clear, and transformational. If you’re not getting the inquiries you want, it’s not because you’re not good enough as a coach — it’s likely your website isn’t communicating your value effectively.
By fixing these five areas, you can turn your site into a client-attracting magnet that truly reflects the impact of your coaching.