If you’ve ever looked at a rival business online and thought, “Why does their website look so much better than mine?”, you’re not alone. In fact, that small moment of envy can often be the nudge you need to take your website more seriously.
The truth is, many business owners launch their site, tick it off the list, and then leave it untouched for years. Meanwhile, your competitors are evolving. They’re investing in better design, faster loading times, stronger calls-to-action, and smarter SEO strategies.
This guide breaks down exactly what other businesses are doing well, how to spot the gaps in your own site, and – most importantly – what you can do to catch up and overtake them.
- Their Website Looks Modern and Professional
First impressions count. When someone lands on your site, they make a snap judgement in just 0.05 seconds according to research from Google.
If your competitor’s site looks sleek, easy to use and modern, while yours still feels like it was made in 2012, guess who the customer is going to trust more?
How to catch up:
- Refresh your website with a clean, contemporary design.
- Use whitespace to create breathing room.
- Keep fonts and colour palettes consistent with your branding.
- Showcase your product or service visuals clearly.
If you’re unsure where to start, take a look at our Website Design Services to see how we help businesses bring their websites up to date.
- Their Site Loads Faster
Speed matters. Not just for user experience, but for search rankings too. A slow website frustrates users and signals to Google that your site isn’t up to scratch.
Many of your competitors will be using fast hosting, compressed images, caching tools and clean code to shave seconds off their load times.
How to catch up:
- Compress your images using free tools like TinyPNG.
- Use a performance plugin if you’re on WordPress, such as WP Rocket or W3 Total Cache.
- Get a proper speed audit done and fix bloated code, unused scripts and slow-loading assets.
We offer ongoing Website Maintenance packages that include performance optimisation and speed checks.
- Their Mobile Experience Is Seamless
More than half of all website visits in the UK happen on mobile. If your competitor’s site adjusts beautifully to every screen size, with clickable buttons, readable text and no awkward zooming – that’s a huge advantage.
A mobile-friendly website isn’t a nice-to-have anymore. It’s essential.
How to catch up:
- Use responsive design that adapts to different screen sizes.
- Test your site on multiple devices (phones, tablets, landscape and portrait modes).
- Improve mobile page speed and navigation.
If your current site isn’t cutting it on phones, our Mobile Website Design service can help you get back on track.
- They’re Ranking Higher in Google
You’ve probably Googled a service you offer and spotted your competitor sitting comfortably on page one, while you’re buried on page three. That’s no accident.
Good SEO takes time, but it’s worth it. If they’re doing it well, they’re likely:
- Publishing regular, optimised blog content
- Using keyword-rich metadata
- Earning backlinks from reputable sources
- Structuring their site for crawling and indexing
How to catch up:
- Start with a full SEO audit of your website.
- Create a content plan targeting key search terms.
- Add internal links between your main pages and posts.
- Write blog content answering the questions your ideal customers are searching for.
Check out our SEO Services to learn how we can help you move up the rankings.
- They Make It Easy to Take Action
Your competitor might have a clear, well-placed call-to-action on every page. Their contact forms are simple. Their buttons stand out. It’s effortless for users to take the next step.
In contrast, if your CTAs are buried, or your contact form asks for too much info, you’re losing leads.
How to catch up:
- Use action-focused language: “Get a Quote”, “Book a Free Call”, “Start Your Project”.
- Make buttons big, bold and easy to tap on mobile.
- Place CTAs in logical places – end of pages, in headers, or next to key content.
It’s all about reducing friction. Make it ridiculously easy for people to contact you.
- Their Content Speaks to Their Audience
Your competitors might be creating blog posts, FAQs, and service pages that answer real questions their customers have.
They’re using tone of voice that matches their brand, they sound human, and they’re not stuffing keywords unnaturally.
How to catch up:
- Speak in your customers’ language. Ditch the jargon.
- Use real examples and case studies.
- Focus on helping, not just selling.
- Invest in copy that reflects your brand voice and personality.
Want some help refining your content? We can help you plan and write website copy that actually connects.
- They’ve Nailed Social Proof
If their site is filled with recent testimonials, case studies, video reviews and recognisable client logos, it builds trust fast.
Visitors want reassurance that other people have used and liked your service.
How to catch up:
- Add testimonials from happy clients (include names or photos where possible).
- Showcase real projects you’ve completed.
- Link to any awards or accreditations you hold.
If you’re not sure how to present these elements professionally, our design packages include layout suggestions for testimonials, reviews, and case studies.
- They’ve Got Regular, Helpful Blog Content
A neglected blog is a wasted opportunity. If your competitors are publishing useful content regularly, they’re winning attention in search engines and keeping their audience engaged.
They’re becoming the go-to source for advice in their niche.
How to catch up:
- Start a blog calendar with 1-2 posts per month.
- Focus on genuinely helpful topics: how-tos, tips, checklists.
- Optimise every post for search – headers, keywords, internal links.
Need content ideas? Here are some useful starting points:
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- Their Website is Secure and Up to Date
If your competitor’s site uses HTTPS, has no broken links, and stays regularly updated, it sends a message: this business is active, reliable and safe.
Meanwhile, an outdated plugin, expired SSL certificate or glitchy form can send people running.
How to catch up:
- Install an SSL certificate and renew it regularly.
- Update plugins, themes, and core CMS versions.
- Set up website monitoring tools for uptime and error tracking.
You can learn more about protecting and maintaining your website with our Website Support Services.
- They Track and Improve
Finally, smart businesses track what their website is doing. They know where visitors are coming from, which pages convert best, and where people are dropping off.
If your competitors are using tools like Google Analytics and heatmaps, they’re constantly improving their site based on real data.
How to catch up:
- Install Google Analytics and Google Search Console.
- Use heatmaps (like Hotjar) to understand how people interact with your site.
- Regularly review metrics and update pages that are underperforming.
When you make decisions based on real numbers rather than gut feeling, your website becomes a smarter asset.
Ready to Catch Up and Overtake?
If you’ve read this far and you’re starting to spot the gaps on your own website, that’s a good thing. It means you’re ready to take action.
Whether you need a full redesign, a faster site, better SEO or just someone to steer the ship – we can help. At Leeds Web Designer, we specialise in creating professional, effective websites that work hard for your business.
Want to talk through your options?
Visit our Contact Page to get in touch, or request a free website review to see how your current site stacks up against the competition.
Let’s make your website the one others are trying to catch up to.
