The Top 5 Website Mistakes That Kill SaaS Conversions (and How to Fix Them)

With an average conversion rate of just 3% for SaaS websites, a staggering 97% of potential customers are lost. But it doesn’t have to be this way. By avoiding a few common website mistakes, you can dramatically boost conversions and grow your SaaS business. As experts in crafting high-performing SaaS websites, we’ve seen firsthand how simple tweaks can make a world of difference.

This blog reveals the top 5 website mistakes that are killing your conversions and how to fix them. From clarifying your value proposition to optimising for search engines, these proven strategies will help you transform your website into a powerful conversion machine.

Let’s dive in and uncover the top 5 conversion killers!

Mistake #1: Unclear Value Proposition

Your website’s value proposition is the cornerstone of your online presence. It’s the first thing visitors notice and the main reason they’ll stick around (or leave). A strong value proposition clearly articulates what your SaaS product does, who it’s for, and why it’s the best solution.

Many SaaS websites make the critical mistake of having a vague or confusing value proposition, using generic phrases like “Innovative Solutions for Your Business”, or focusing on features over benefits. Visitors are left wondering what the product actually does and how it can help them.

To craft a compelling value proposition, answer these questions:

1. What problem does your product solve?
2. Who is it for?
3. Why is it the best solution?
4. What benefits will customers get?

Weak value proposition example:

“Our cutting-edge SaaS platform leverages AI and machine learning to streamline processes.”

While this statement uses buzzwords, it doesn’t clearly explain what the product does or how it benefits the user.

Now, let’s look at a strong value proposition:

“Boost your marketing ROI with our SaaS tool designed for e-commerce businesses. Our AI-powered platform analyses customer data to deliver personalised product recommendations, increasing average order value by 25%.”

This value proposition is effective because it:

• Specifies the target audience (ecommerce businesses)
• Clarifies the problem it solves (boosting marketing ROI)
• Explains how the product works (AI-powered personalised recommendations)
• Quantifies the benefit (25% increase in average order value)

To optimise your value proposition, ensure it’s prominently displayed on your homepage and throughout your website. Use clear, concise language that resonates with your target audience. And feel free to experiment with different versions to see what performs best.

By nailing your value proposition, you’ll capture visitors’ attention, differentiate your product from competitors, and ultimately drive more conversions.

Mistake #2: Poor User Experience (UX)

Have you ever visited a website that was so confusing or frustrating that you immediately clicked away? That’s the power of user experience (UX). A poor UX can be a significant conversion killer in a competitive space.

Common UX issues include:

• Dated design: An outdated website design can make your SaaS product appear less credible and trustworthy. Maintain a modern, professional look aligned with current web design trends.
• Confusing navigation: If visitors can’t find what they need, they’ll quickly lose patience and leave. Navigation should be intuitive, logical, and easy to use.
• Slow loading times: Every second counts. If your site takes too long to load, visitors will abandon ship.
• Poor mobile functionality: While most websites are responsive, not all provide an optimal mobile experience. Ensure your site works seamlessly on all devices.

The good news is that improving your website’s UX doesn’t have to be complicated. Here are some best practices:

1. Keep your design fresh and uncluttered
2. Simplify navigation with clear labels and limited options
3. Optimise speed by compressing images and leveraging caching
4. Conduct user testing to identify pain points

Your website is often the first interaction potential customers have with your brand. Provide a user-friendly experience across all devices to keep visitors engaged, build trust, and drive conversions.

Mistake #3: Lack of Trust Signals

Potential customers need to feel confident that your product is reliable, secure, and well-supported. Visitors may hesitate to convert if your website lacks credibility, no matter how great your product is.

Common credibility killers include:

• No social proof (customer logos, testimonials, case studies)
• Missing trust badges (security seals, privacy policies)
• Poorly designed or written content that looks unprofessional

To build credibility and boost conversions:

1. Showcase happy customers and tangible results
2. Display security certificates and trust seals
3. Invest in professional design and polished copy
4. Highlight expert endorsements and industry awards

Building credibility takes effort, but it’s essential. Showcase your trustworthiness and expertise to inspire confidence and drive conversions.

Mistake #4: Weak Calls-to-Action (CTAs)

Imagine reading a persuasive article about a SaaS product that perfectly solves your problem…but the only CTA is a lacklustre “Click Here” button. Underwhelmed, you navigate away and forget about the product altogether.

Solid and compelling CTAs throughout your website are crucial for guiding visitors to take action, whether it’s starting a free trial, requesting a demo, or making a purchase. Weak or missing CTAs mean missed conversion opportunities.

Common CTA mistakes include:

• Generic, vague language (“Learn More”, “Submit”)
• Poor placement that’s easy to overlook
• Inconsistent language or design across pages

To create high-converting CTAs:

1. Use action-oriented words (“Start”, “Get”, “Discover”)
2. Communicate value (“Boost Productivity Now”)
3. Make them pop with contrast and whitespace
4. Place strategically after highlighting benefits
5. Maintain consistent language and design site-wide

CTAs are the gatekeepers to conversion. Craft clear, compelling CTAs to guide visitors toward key actions that drive business growth.

Mistake #5: Invisibility to Search Engines

You’ve created the perfect website – it’s user-friendly, beautiful, and full of compelling content. But there’s a problem: no one can find it. If your site is invisible to search engines, you need to take advantage of huge opportunities for organic traffic and conversions.

SEO helps your site rank higher in search results for relevant keywords. If it doesn’t, you’re essentially hidden from potential customers.

Common SEO mistakes include:

• Targeting the wrong keywords
• Thin or duplicate content
• Lack of authoritative backlinks

To boost search visibility:

1. Research keywords your audience uses
2. Create unique content optimised for keywords
3. Build backlinks via guest posts and linkable assets
4. Improve technical SEO (URLs, sitemaps, page speeds)

While SEO is a long game, it’s well worth playing. Optimising your site will attract more qualified leads, boost brand awareness, and increase conversions. Don’t let invisibility hold you back from organic search success!

Unleash Your SaaS Website’s Conversion Potential

You now have the knowledge and tools to fix the top 5 conversion-killing SaaS website mistakes. By clarifying your value prop, enhancing UX, building trust, strengthening CTAs, and investing in SEO, you’ll create a high-converting site that drives growth.

But knowledge is only half the battle – you must take action! Audit your site, prioritise high-impact changes, and start implementing. Track your progress and continually optimise.

Minor, incremental improvements add up to a site that engages, persuades and converts. As your business evolves, so should your website. Stay on top of trends and feedback to refine your online presence.

SaaS web design that gets results

If you’re considering giving your SaaS website a makeover or just want to ensure it’s doing all it can to attract and convert visitors, contact Unicorn or book a free website consultation here.