Tuesday, October 13th • 6:00-7:15 PM • 5/3 Bank Tucker

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Is your website hurting your credibility?

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Learn the top website mistakes that hurt website credibility

Learn how storytelling increases website engagement

Get live feedback & tips for your website

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With Andy Rhodenbaugh
Founder of Clear Sight Design
StoryBrand Certified Web Designer

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Websites that grow credibility & confidence

+ MY WHY

Excellent people

doing excellent work

should look & sound

as excellent as they are.

+ STANFORD RESEARCH

The top two factors when evaluating a website’s credibility:

+ TOP TWO FACTORS

Design & Words

A group of six men standing in a row on a stage, smiling and holding bottles of beverages, with a dark background and large text above them that reads 'We grow properties & brands through purposeful partnerships.'

+ THE PROBLEM

Most websites undermine credibility by making five critical mistakes.

Mistake 1: Outdated design

This 40-year-old organization wasn’t showcasing the excellence they deliver.

Screenshot of a website featuring the organization Steward Speakers, with a headline about their history since 1986, and a photo of Erika Alexander, actress and activist. The page promotes upcoming events at The Madame Walker Legacy Center in Indianapolis, Indiana, including date and address details. The bottom section displays logos of sponsors and partners.

Solution: Strategic design

Updated branding and layout to draw the visitor in.

Two people sitting on stage engaged in conversation, with a large screen in the background displaying the words 'Proximity changes everything. Step into the room.' and a row of sponsor logos below.

Listen for what Katie, a credentialed business coach said:

“My outdated website is my excuse for not putting myself out there.”

Mistake 2: Clutter

This client had 10 buttons to choose from and unorganized photos and text.

Large tree with a thick trunk and spread-out branches in a park with green grass and trees in the background.

Solution: Give the website one job

We cut 6 buttons, updated the messaging, and made one clear CTA.

Webpage homepage for PAC Tree Removal with a background image of tall trees viewed from below, showing green leaves and branches against a partly cloudy sky. The page advertises professional tree removal services in the metro Atlanta and Georgia area, with navigation links for Services, About, and Contact, and an orange button for requesting a free estimate.

Listen for what Kayla Sullivan told me the first time I met her:

“I’m not giving you my business card because I don’t want you to see how bad my website is.”

Mistake 3: Getting the hero wrong

We cut 6 buttons, updated the messaging, and made one clear CTA.

Solution: The customer is the hero

A spacious, modern kitchen with white cabinetry, large black island, wooden ceiling beams, pendant lighting, and a window overlooking greenery.

Listen for what Konrad, a painting business owner said:

“Our website is bland and uninviting, and doesn’t show our ideal client that we know their story.

It feels like running into a brick wall when we share our website, if we even try to share it at all.”

Mistake 4: Confusing messaging

A group of people smiling and engaging in a discussion in a modern office conference room, with a poster on the wall behind them.

Solution: Zero Cognitive Load messaging

Listen for what Gaelin, an experienced public speaker said:

“I need help clarifying my message so I can level up my business.

Sometimes those closest to the problem have the hardest time communicating to others why it matters.”

Mistake 5: No clear call-to-action

Website homepage for The Springs, a Christian retreat in southeast Indiana, featuring a scenic photo of a lake and woods with the overlay text 'Come away...'. The page includes sections about the retreat, core values, prayer, and donation information.

Solution: Clear call-to-action

Within 6 months, donations went up 20%, and first-time bookings went up 60%.

Homepage of The Springs, a Christian retreat in Southeast Indiana. It features a scenic background of a misty lake and a forest during sunset. The text says "An unhurried place where your soul can breathe again." There are navigation options for Reservations, Spiritual Direction, Programs, About, and a prominent "Donate" button. The page emphasizes rest, listening, and discovery through a calm and natural setting.

Listen for what Dave, an international nonprofit director said:

“Our website is functional but not very compelling or easy to navigate.”

“The customer is the hero of the story, not your brand. When we position our customer as the hero and ourselves as the guide, we will be recognized as a trusted resource to help them overcome their challenges.”

– Donald Miller, Building a StoryBrand

Book cover titled "Building a StoryBrand" by Donald Miller, with a megaphone illustration and tagline about storytelling for business growth.

Book cover of 'Building a StoryBrand 2.0' by Donald Miller with a red background and a white megaphone illustration.

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1

StoryBrand Certified

No winging it.

I follow a proven messaging and design framework that works. StoryBrand has helped over 100,000 organizations, and I have the training and license to use it.

2

1:1 Attention

No ghosting.

I perform four roles for the client: project manager, copywriter, designer, and developer.

We schedule every meeting ahead of time so clients know when their website will launch.

3

Speed

No months of headaches.

Most projects take 3 days to complete and require only 4 hours of client time.

I also have a 1-day website option and longer projects with more customizations and integrations.

The homepage of The Springs retreat center with a large header image of a lake surrounded by trees and the text "Come away..." overlaid. The page provides information about the retreat, including its location in Indiana, contact details, and the purpose of encouraging spiritual rest and renewal.

Website homepage for The Springs, a Christian retreat in Southeast Indiana. Features a scenic view of a forest reflected in a lake during sunset, with a navigation menu at the top and a reservation search form below the image. The main text reads, "An unhurried place where your soul can breathe again," followed by a description of the retreat's purpose.

Score your website.

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A woman with glasses and red nail polish using a silver laptop, with a focus on a colorful chart overlaying the image displaying various survey scores like message clarity, trust & credibility, conversion path, and design & user experience, all rated on a scale with labels such as medium, high, and low.

+ Three main problems I see on small business websites

"THE COBBLER'S KIDS HAVE NO SHOES."

1 Complex, cluttered layout

(“I’m not a circus, so I shouldn’t look like one.”)

2 Unclear story & too many options

(The client often doesn’t know what they need, so they get confused.)

3 No clear call to action

(Google: 70% of small business websites don’t have an actionable CTA)