Running a fence business takes a lot of time. Between handling jobs, quoting new ones, and answering calls, your website often ends up at the bottom of the list. But here’s the thing: your website is working even when you’re not. It’s the first impression most customers get. And if it looks old or doesn’t work right, they’ll go somewhere else.
We’ve worked with fence companies for over five years at FenceWebs. We’ve seen what works and what doesn’t. In this post, we’re breaking down the top five website mistakes we see fence contractors make. Avoid these, and you’ll be ahead of most of your competitors.
1. Slow Loading Speed
People don’t like to wait. If your site takes more than a few seconds to load, they’ll leave. That means you’re losing leads before they even see your work. A slow site feels outdated and hard to trust. It gives the wrong impression.
This usually happens when the images are too big, the code is old, or you’re using too many add ons. Cheap hosting also plays a part. If your site runs slow, the fix might be easier than you think.
Use a speed test like Google PageSpeed Insights. Resize your images before uploading. Delete old plugins. And if your host is slowing things down, upgrade. Even one second faster can help you keep more visitors.
2. No Clear Call to Action
You’d be surprised how many fence websites don’t ask the visitor to do anything. There’s no phone number at the top. No “Request a Quote” button. No form. Nothing.
People need direction. If they have to hunt for your number or don’t know what to do next, they’ll leave.
What to include
- A “Call Now” button at the top
- A clear form that says “Get a Free Estimate”
- Your phone number in big, easy to read text
- A button or link on every page that makes it easy to reach you
Make it simple. Tell them what to do.
3. Not Mobile-Friendly
Most people won’t see your website on a computer. They’ll see it on their phone. And if it doesn’t work well there, you’re losing business. Mobile users expect quick loading, big text, and buttons they can tap.
If your menu is too small, if the text is tiny, or if the images don’t fit the screen, that’s a problem. You might not notice on your laptop, but your customers will on their phones.
The fix? Use a layout that adjusts to any screen. This is called responsive design. Test your site on your own phone. Keep menus short. Skip the pop ups. Your site should feel just as smooth on a phone as it does on a desktop.
4. Poor Photos or No Photos at All
Fence work is visual. People want to see what kind of fences you build. A few good pictures go a long way.
But many sites either have:
- No photos
- Low-quality photos
- Stock photos that don’t show their own work
This hurts trust. If someone’s hiring you to build something for their home, they want proof you can do it.
Photo tips
- Use real photos of your work
- Take pictures after a job is finished
- Show different styles (wood, vinyl, chain link)
- Keep them clear and well lit
You don’t need a fancy camera. A good phone can do the job. Just make sure the photos are sharp and show off your work.
5. Outdated Design or Hard to Use Layout
A website from 2008 might still work, but it looks tired. And if people have a hard time finding info or reading your site, they’ll leave. Old fonts, cluttered pages, and confusing menus drive people away.
You don’t need a fancy design. Just something clean and easy to follow. Use big fonts. Stick to one or two colors. Keep your layout simple.
Watch out for music that plays automatically, tiny text, or messy menus. These are signs it’s time for an update. Clean up your pages. Add space between sections. Make it easy for people to browse.
Bonus: Not Showing Up on Google
While not a design issue, this often goes hand in hand. If no one can find your website, it doesn’t matter how good it looks.
Make sure you’re doing at least the basics:
- Claim and update your Google Business Profile
- Add your business to maps
- Use your city name on your website (like “Austin fence installation”)
- Get reviews from happy customers
All of this helps you show up when someone searches “fence company near me.”
Final Thoughts
You don’t need a perfect website. But you do need one that looks good, loads fast, and helps people get in touch.
If your site is slow, hard to use, or doesn’t work on phones, you’re probably losing business. Fixing these five things can make a big difference.
We build websites just for fence companies at FenceWebs, so we know what works. If you’re not sure where to start, fix the biggest problem first. Then work your way down the list.
And if you want help, we’re always around.
