Is Your Website Actually Working for Your Business?

You have a website. It’s live, your business information is there, and you’re paying to keep it online. So, everything is working as it should, right?

Not necessarily.

I recently had a conversation with another website designer who was reviewing a potential client’s website. The site hadn’t been updated in years, and when he tried to submit the contact form, it wouldn’t even accept his email address. Imagine how many potential customers might have encountered that same problem without the business owner ever knowing!

Your website doesn’t have to look broken to have problems. Sometimes, the issues are happening behind the scenes or in places you rarely check. The good news is that not every website issue requires a complete redesign. Sometimes, a few updates or adjustments are all it takes to get things working properly again.

Let’s look at five areas worth checking on your website.

1. Does Your Website Work on Mobile Devices?

When was the last time you opened your website on your phone and actually tried using it? A website might look great on a desktop computer but behave completely differently on a smaller screen. Images may be cut off, text might overlap, buttons could be difficult to tap, or your navigation menu might not work properly.

With so many people accessing websites from their phones, it’s important to make sure your website provides a functional experience across different devices. Something that looks perfectly fine on your computer may need adjustments to work properly on a smaller screen.

2. Can Visitors Navigate Your Website Without Running Into Problems?

Your website should make it easy for visitors to move from one page to another and find the information they’re looking for. But over time, links can break, pages can be moved or deleted, and buttons may stop directing visitors to the correct destination.

Even a simple broken link can create a frustrating experience for someone trying to learn more about your business. Pay special attention to links that direct visitors to important actions, such as booking an appointment or contacting your business.

3. Are Your Contact Forms and Connected Tools Working?

This is one of those website issues that can easily go unnoticed. Think about the example I shared earlier. A potential customer was interested enough to visit a business’s website and attempt to contact them, but the contact form wouldn’t accept their email address. The business owner may never know that someone tried to reach out.

And it isn’t just contact forms. Your website may connect to appointment scheduling tools, email sign-up forms, payment processors, or other systems that support your business. If those connections stop working, visitors may be unable to complete the actions you want them to take.

Testing these connections regularly can help you catch problems before they go unnoticed for weeks or months.

4. Is Your Website Loading and Displaying Properly?

Have you ever visited a website that took so long to load that you gave up waiting? Or opened a page only to find images missing, sections overlapping, or an error message where the content should be?

These issues can make it difficult for visitors to use your website, even when the information they’re looking for is there. Sometimes, the problem is as simple as an oversized image. Other times, conflicting settings or technical issues may be affecting how your website performs.

Checking your website on different devices and browsers can help you identify problems that might not appear when you’re viewing it from your usual computer.

5. What’s Happening Behind the Scenes?

Not every website issue is something you can see when visiting a page. If your website runs on WordPress, for example, the platform, plugins, and themes need regular attention to remain compatible and function properly.

Backups, security certificates, and other technical settings also play an important role in keeping your website running. You don’t necessarily need to handle every technical detail yourself, but it’s important to know that someone is keeping an eye on things.

We’ll explore the importance of ongoing website maintenance in more detail next month.

Your Website Self-Check Checklist

You don’t have to be a website developer to spot some of the most common website issues. Set aside a little time this week to walk through your website as though you’re a potential customer visiting for the first time.

Check off each item as you go, and see how your website measures up!

Here’s another idea: Ask a friend or colleague to test your website, too! Have them navigate through your pages, find your contact information, and try completing an action such as booking an appointment. A fresh perspective may help you discover issues you’ve overlooked simply because you’re familiar with how your own website works.

If you discover something that isn’t working, make a note of it. You don’t have to fix everything yourself, but identifying the problem is a great first step.

Your Website Should Work for You, Not Against You

Your website is an important part of your business. It should make it easier for people to learn about your services, connect with you, and take the next step. But just because your website is online doesn’t mean everything is functioning as it should.

Taking a little time to check your website can help you identify problems you might otherwise miss. And remember, finding an issue doesn’t automatically mean you need a brand-new website. Sometimes, a few targeted fixes can make a meaningful difference.

It’s Your Time

If you’ve discovered something on your website that isn’t working properly, or you’re not sure where to start, you don’t have to figure it all out on your own.

At HAS Solutions, I help business owners build, update, and maintain websites that support their day-to-day operations. Whether you need help troubleshooting a technical issue, improving your website’s functionality, or exploring a larger website project, I’m happy to help you determine the next step.

Stay Connected

If you enjoy practical tips on business systems, technology, and creating workflows that support your business, I’d love to have you join my monthly newsletter, Workflow Wisdom.

Each month, I share simple strategies, tech insights, and behind-the-scenes lessons to help you work more efficiently and confidently. Click here to sign up.

Your Systems Are Working. So Why Are You Still So Busy?

When you’re first starting a business, doing everything yourself is part of the journey. You wear every hat because you have to. You’re building your website, answering emails, posting on social media, creating invoices, learning new software, and serving clients—all while trying to grow your business. It’s busy, but it feels productive because every task moves you forward.

As your business grows, however, the challenge begins to shift. You may have the website you’ve always wanted, a CRM to organize your contacts, and systems that are finally working the way you hoped. The challenge isn’t getting everything set up anymore. It’s finding the time to keep everything running.

That’s often the point where business owners realize they don’t need another tool—they need more capacity.

It’s Not About Working Harder

One of the biggest mindset shifts I see business owners make is realizing that being capable of doing something doesn’t automatically mean they should be the one doing it.

Just because you know how to update your website, troubleshoot your CRM, or create a landing page doesn’t mean those tasks are the best use of your time. Every hour spent maintaining the backend of your business is an hour you’re not serving clients, building relationships, developing new ideas, or doing the work that only you can do.

That doesn’t mean the behind-the-scenes work isn’t important. It absolutely is. But there comes a point where continuing to do everything yourself can actually slow your business down instead of helping it grow.

Ask Yourself a Different Question

Instead of asking, “Can I do this?” try asking, “Is this the best use of my time?”

That’s a very different question.

Sometimes the answer will still be yes. There are parts of your business that should stay in your hands because they rely on your expertise, your relationships, or your vision.

Other tasks, however, don’t always require your unique expertise.  They simply need someone who is capable, reliable, and understands your business. Website updates, CRM changes, email formatting, troubleshooting, and ongoing maintenance all fall into that category for many business owners.

Support Isn’t About Giving Up Control

There’s a common misconception that asking for help means giving up control of your business. In reality, the opposite is often true.

The right support allows you to stay focused on the parts of your business that only you can do while knowing the technical details are still being handled well. You’re not stepping away from your business—you’re creating the capacity to lead it more effectively.

Whether that’s a few hours of help each month or ongoing support throughout the year, the goal isn’t to do less. It’s to spend more of your time doing the work that makes the biggest impact.

Choose the Right Support for Your Business

Every business owner reaches this point at a different time. Some need help after a major launch. Others reach it as their client base grows or as new opportunities begin competing for their attention.

There’s no perfect formula for knowing when it’s time to ask for support. The important thing is recognizing when the behind-the-scenes work is taking time away from the parts of your business that only you can do.

Whether you need help with a one-time project or ongoing support each month, the goal isn’t to hand off everything. It’s to make sure you’re spending your time where it has the greatest impact.

If your systems are working but you still feel like you’re constantly trying to catch up, I’d be happy to talk through what support might look like for your business.

After all, the most valuable resource in your business isn’t your website, your CRM, or your newest piece of software.

It’s your time.

Stay Connected

If you enjoy practical tips on business systems, technology, and creating workflows that support your business, I’d love to have you join my monthly newsletter, Workflow Wisdom.

Each month, I share simple strategies, tech insights, and behind-the-scenes lessons to help you work more efficiently and confidently. Click here to sign up.

Before You Choose a Platform, Know What You’re Building

More and more business owners are looking for ways to serve their audience beyond social media.

Maybe you’re thinking about creating an online community, offering exclusive content, launching a course, or building recurring revenue through a membership.

The challenge is that many business owners jump straight into researching software before they’ve clearly defined what they’re trying to create.

I often hear questions like, “Should I use Circle?”, “Is Kajabi worth it?”, or “Can I just use a Facebook Group?” Those aren’t bad questions—but they’re usually not the first questions we should be asking.

Before you compare platforms, it’s worth taking a step back and asking yourself what kind of experience you want people to have.

Start With Your Vision, Not the Platform

One of the biggest mistakes I see business owners make is choosing a platform because someone else recommends it.

A coach loves one platform. A friend swears by another. Someone in a Facebook group insists there’s only one “right” answer.

The truth is, software is simply a tool.

Before you compare features or pricing, ask yourself:

  • What am I building?
  • Who is it for?
  • How do I want people to engage?
  • What experience do I want them to have?

Those answers should guide every technology decision that comes later.

Think About the Experience First

Rather than focusing on what a platform can do, think about what you want your audience to experience.

Do you want people connecting with one another?

Learning through structured lessons?

Accessing resources they can return to whenever they need them?

Receiving ongoing content every month?

Participating in conversations and accountability?

Your goals will naturally point you toward the features that matter most.

When you’re clear on the experience you want to create, evaluating platforms becomes much easier because you’re no longer chasing features—you’re looking for tools that support your vision.

Don’t Get Caught Up Comparing Features

It’s easy to get caught up comparing platforms.

Pricing.

Automations.

Integrations.

Mobile apps.

Branding options.

AI tools.

Those things absolutely matter—but they matter after you’ve figured out what you’re trying to build.

Otherwise, you’ll spend hours comparing features you may never use while overlooking the ones that actually support your goals.

One Platform Can Often Do More Than You Think

One thing I’ve learned while working with different platforms is that many of them can support more than one type of experience.

You might have a course, a community, recurring member content, private spaces, downloadable resources, and events—all within the same platform.

That’s why I don’t recommend starting with the software itself.

Instead, start with your goals. Once you’re clear on what you’re building and how you want people to serve your audience, choosing the right platform usually becomes much simpler.

Not Sure Where to Start?

Choosing a platform can feel overwhelming, especially when every tool promises to do everything.

The good news is that you don’t need to have all the answers before getting started.

Sometimes the most valuable first step isn’t choosing software at all. It’s talking through your idea with someone who can help you identify what you’re really trying to build.

If you’re exploring ways to serve your audience online and aren’t sure where to start, I’d be happy to help you evaluate your options and determine what makes the most sense for your business.

You can book a call here to talk through your goals and explore the best path forward. Book a call with me.

Stay Connected

If you enjoy practical tips on business systems, technology, and creating workflows that support your business, I’d love to have you join my monthly newsletter, Workflow Wisdom.

Each month, I share simple strategies, tech insights, and behind-the-scenes lessons to help you work more efficiently and confidently. Click here to sign up.

How to Choose the Right CRM for Your Business

A few years ago, when someone asked me what CRM they should use, I probably had a much shorter answer. Today, after working in a variety of platforms and helping clients evaluate different systems, my answer is usually:

“It depends.”

There are dozens of CRM options available, and each promises to help you organize your business, automate tasks, and improve client communication. The challenge is that the “best” CRM isn’t the same for every business owner.

Before you invest time and money into a new platform, here are a few things to consider.

Start With Your Problem, Not the Software

One of the biggest mistakes I see business owners make is choosing a CRM because someone else recommended it.

Your friend loves it.
Your coach uses it.
Someone in a Facebook group swears it’s the best.

That doesn’t mean it’s the right fit for you.

Instead, start by identifying the problem you’re trying to solve.

    • Are leads slipping through the cracks?
    • Are you spending too much time manually following up?
    • Do you have client information stored in multiple places?
    • Are you paying for several tools that don’t work together?

The answers to those questions will help determine what features actually matter.

Make a List of What You Need

Before comparing platforms, write down the tasks you want your CRM to handle. 

For some businesses, that may be as simple as managing leads and tracking client communication. Others may need appointment scheduling, email marketing, invoicing, contracts, automation, text messaging, or client portals.

Having a clear list helps prevent you from paying for features you’ll never use while also ensuring you don’t outgrow the system six months from now.

Consider the Tools You’re Already Using

Many business owners don’t realize how much overlap exists between platforms.

I’ve worked with clients who were paying separately for scheduling software, email marketing software, forms, customer management tools, and automation software.

In some cases, consolidating those tools into one platform made sense. In others, keeping separate systems worked better.

The key is understanding what you’re already paying for before adding another monthly subscription.

Be Honest About Your Comfort Level With Technology

This is a big one. Some platforms are incredibly powerful, but they also require more setup, customization, and ongoing management. Others are simpler and easier to learn but may have limitations as your business grows. The right choice isn’t necessarily the platform with the longest feature list. It’s the platform you’ll actually use consistently. 

A perfectly configured CRM doesn’t help if it’s so complicated that you avoid logging into it.

Don’t Choose Based on Price Alone

It’s tempting to compare monthly fees and choose the cheapest option.

However, the true cost of a CRM includes the time required to learn it, maintain it, and work around any limitations. A lower-cost system that creates extra manual work may end up costing more in the long run than a slightly more expensive platform that saves you hours every month.

Remember That There Is No Perfect CRM

This is probably the most important thing I’ve learned.  Every platform has strengths. Every platform has limitations.

The goal isn’t to find the perfect CRM. The goal is to find the system that best supports the way you run your business today while leaving room for future growth

Not Sure Where to Start?

Choosing a CRM can feel overwhelming, especially when every platform claims to be the solution to all your problems.

Instead of focusing on which platform is the most popular, focus on what your business actually needs. When you start with your goals, your processes, and your day-to-day challenges, the right choice becomes much easier to identify.

The good news is that you don’t have to figure it out alone. Sometimes an outside perspective can help you identify what’s working, what’s not, and which tools make the most sense for the way you run your business.

If you’re considering a CRM and aren’t sure where to start, I’d be happy to help you evaluate your options and determine what makes the most sense for your business.

You can book a call here to talk through what support might look like for your business. Book a call with me.

Stay Connected

If you want ongoing tips, simple tech fixes, and updates on upcoming offers or resources, I’d love to have you join my monthly newsletter, Workflow Wisdom. Click here to sign up.

Are Your Systems Ready for What’s Next?

Growth is something most business owners are working toward. More clients, more opportunities, and more momentum in your business.

But what often gets overlooked is what’s happening behind the scenes while all of that is happening.

When things are steady, your systems usually feel manageable. You know what needs to be done, and for the most part, you’re able to keep up with it. But as your business grows, so does everything that supports it. There are more moving parts, more tasks to manage, and more competing for your attention.

That’s typically when things start to fall behind, because there’s only so much one person can manage at once.

The systems that once felt manageable start to require more attention, and the business’s backend can quickly become overwhelming without the right support in place.

It’s Not Growth That Causes the Problem

It’s easy to think that growth is what creates stress or chaos in a business. In reality, growth usually just exposes what isn’t being maintained or what wasn’t built to support long-term growth in the first place.

And there’s nothing wrong with that.

Most business owners start by simply getting things up and running. You make decisions based on what works at the time, what you can manage, and what helps you take the next step forward.

But as your business grows, the systems that once worked “well enough” can start to feel harder to manage. Tasks that were easy to keep up with begin getting pushed off, and the backend becomes one more thing competing for your attention.

That’s often when business owners realize they don’t just need systems that function — they need systems that continue to support the business as it grows.

What Ongoing Support Actually Looks Like

This is where ongoing support becomes valuable.

Instead of handling one task at a time or trying to stay ahead of everything on your own, ongoing support gives you someone consistently managing the backend of your business.

That can look like handling updates as they come up, managing tasks that don’t fall into a neat “once a month” category, keeping your systems organized, and making adjustments as your business continues to evolve.

It’s not about checking off a single task. It’s about handling things as they come up so they don’t pile up in the first place.

What This Changes Day to Day

For most clients, the biggest shift is that things stop feeling like they’re constantly waiting to be done.

Tasks don’t get pushed to “later.” Systems stay usable. The backend continues to support the business instead of slowing it down.

Instead of trying to manage everything yourself or figure out when you’ll have time to get to it, you have someone making sure it’s handled along the way.

That consistency creates a lot more stability in how your business runs.

Who This Type of Support Is For

Ongoing support tends to be the right fit for business owners who are managing multiple systems, growing their client base, or simply finding that the backend of their business is getting harder to keep up with.

It’s also a good fit for those who are past the point of needing one-time setup or a single recurring task, and instead need someone they can partner with to help manage and maintain things behind the scenes as new needs come up.

Support That Grows With You

As your business grows, your systems need to grow with it. What worked before doesn’t always continue to work the same way as things change, and that’s completely normal.

At some point, many business owners realize they’ve reached the limit of what they can realistically manage on their own.

Having ongoing support means you don’t have to carry all of that on your own.

Instead of reacting when something stops working, falls behind, or starts to feel overwhelming, you have someone alongside you to help manage things as your business continues to evolve.

That support creates space to focus on growth, serve your clients well, and move forward without feeling like everything is resting on your shoulders.

Need Ongoing Support?

If you’re at a point where keeping up with the backend of your business is starting to feel like too much, ongoing support may be the right next step.

I work with a small number of clients on an ongoing basis to help keep things running smoothly behind the scenes.

You can book a call here to talk through what support might look like for your business. Book a call with me.

Stay Connected

If you want ongoing tips, simple tech fixes, and updates on upcoming offers or resources, I’d love to have you join my monthly newsletter, Workflow Wisdom. Click here to sign up.