Most coaches assume their website needs a nicer design, a new template, or better visuals. But in almost every project I’ve worked on, the real issue wasn’t the design at all. It was the clarity.

A website can look beautiful and still not do its job. And the job of your website is simple: help people understand what you do, who it’s for, and what to do next.

If your website feels “off,” isn’t converting, or you sense people aren’t understanding your work the way you want them to, this guide will walk you through the reasons why – and what most coaches never think to check first.

The real signs your website isn’t doing its job

Even if your site feels “fine,” you’ll notice subtle friction points:

• people still ask “So… what exactly do you do?”

• you get traffic but no calls

• visitors stop scrolling after your hero

• clients only come through Instagram, not your website

• people misunderstand your offer

• hardly anyone signs up for your freebie

• you feel like your website isn’t matching your actual work

If at least one of these feels familiar, your website likely has clarity gaps.

If you want a quick self-audit, download the Website Clarity Checklist (link to: Freebie Page). It breaks down exactly what coaches should review first.

It’s not your fonts, colors, or template (even though it feels like it is)

When a website isn’t working, coaches almost always try to fix the wrong thing first.

The most common “solutions” people jump to are:

• buying a new template

• changing colors or fonts

• switching platforms

• rewriting the same copy in a different style

• adding more text

• adding more sections to “explain better”

These feel productive, but they don’t solve the core issue.

You can upgrade every visual element and still have:

• an unclear message

• a confusing flow

• no clear decision pathway

• vague offers

• an overwhelming homepage

• a website that looks nice but doesn’t convert

I’ve seen this with every type of coach: leadership, wellness, mindset, business, embodiment. The pattern is the same. When the meaning isn’t clear, design can’t save it.

Confusion, not design, is what loses people

People don’t leave your website because it isn’t perfect. They leave because they don’t understand it fast enough.

Here are the three core reasons this happens.

1. Your hero section isn’t clear

Most coaches lead with inspirational language:

• “Step into your fullest potential.”

• “Live an embodied, aligned life.”

• “Unlock the next version of yourself.”

Beautiful. But not clear.

Visitors need to understand three things in one sentence:

• what you do

• who it’s for

• what the outcome is

If they can’t figure that out in 8 seconds, they leave.

Learn how I build website clarity and flow to help people understand fast, without overwhelming them.

2. Your homepage doesn’t follow how people make decisions

Most homepages skip essential foundations:

• what you do

• who you help

• why this matters

• what makes your approach different

• how the work happens

• proof

• next step

Instead, they jump into:

• testimonials without context

• a long story too early

• vague benefit statements

• an unclear CTA

• a layout that feels like a mood board instead of a decision pathway

Good websites follow how the brain moves: clarity → relevance → trust → next step.

3. Your offers aren’t explained in a decision-friendly way

Coaches often describe their offers in ways that feel meaningful to them but confusing to visitors.

Common issues:

• the transformation is too abstract

• too much spiritual language

• unclear outcomes

• unclear deliverables

• no structure, timeline, or next step

• no differentiation from every other coach page

This creates friction. And friction kills conversion.

Explore how website clarity + client experience design works together to make your offers easier to understand.

The behind-the-scenes issues no one talks about

Even if your homepage improves, your website can still struggle if the systems behind it aren’t aligned. This part is almost always overlooked.

1. Your onboarding flow isn’t consistent

What actually happens after someone clicks “Book a Call”?

Often:

• they land on a generic calendar

• there’s no explanation of what the call is for

• the confirmation email is unclear

• the process feels disconnected from your brand

A confusing backend creates a confusing first impression.

If this sounds familiar, explore client onboarding improvements (link to: Custom Support).

2. Your buttons and links don’t guide people intentionally

Most websites have one of these issues:

• too many CTAs

• only one CTA repeated everywhere

• buttons that lead nowhere important

• unclear next steps

• multiple “Work With Me” buttons that go to different places

The visitor doesn’t know what to do, so they leave.

3. Your backend and frontend don’t work together

Your website can be clear, but if:

• your client forms

• your workflows

• your confirmations

• your emails

• your booking flow

If you don’t match the story your website tells, people feel the disconnect.

Most coaches fix the wrong part first

When their website isn’t working, the instinct is to:

• rewrite everything

• change the whole design

• buy a template

• switch platforms

• do a rush redesign

• add more textadd more sections

• hire a brand designer before clarifying the offer

The correct order is:

Clarity → Flow → Structure → Design → Systems

Design is the fourth step, not the first.

And this is why so many coaches redesign their website and still feel like something is missing.

A simple way to make your website clearer this week

Here’s the same 5-step Clarity Pass I use inside every project.

Step 1. Say what you do in one sentence

Plain, simple, specific.

Step 2. Add a “for who” line

Be clear about your people.

Step 3. Reorder your homepage

The sequence matters more than the styling.

Step 4. Add one strong CTA

Give people a clear next step.

Step 5. Remove 20 percent of your text

Most websites breathe better with less.

Download the Website Clarity Checklist (link to: Freebie Page) for an easy, beginner-friendly audit you can do in 10 minutes.

If you want support with clarity, flow, or systems

If this article made you realize where your website is getting stuck, here are two ways we can work together.

1. Website Foundations Service

A complete clarity, flow, design, and systems experience for coaches and service providers.

Explore the Website Foundations Service

2. Custom Support (specific or small improvements)

Perfect if you need clarity fixes, homepage updates, onboarding improvements, messaging improvements, or help cleaning up your flow.

To learn more about custom improvements without a rebuild, book a free call with me.

If you’re ready for a website that actually works – not just looks nice – I’d love to support you.