Is Your Website Helping or Hurting Your Business?
Insights from the Athena Upskill Session
Hosted by Athena Advisory Collective & Alisha Harris, Original Account Strategies
Overview
Your website is often the first handshake your business gives the world. The problem? Most websites aren’t pulling their weight. They're confusing, outdated, or attracting the wrong audience. That’s exactly why we kicked off our first Athena Upskill Session with this question:
Is your website helping or hurting your business?
Led by branding and web expert Alisha Harris, this session unpacked how to turn your website into an actual business asset—not just a digital placeholder—and gave clear, simple next steps to get there.
Whether you joined live or not, this recap has what you need to get your site back on track.
Replay & Resources
Start Here: The Website "Vibe Check"
Quick quiz. Score one point for each “yes”:
Can visitors understand what you offer in 5 seconds?
Is it easy to contact you?
Is your site mobile-friendly?
Do you have a clear call to action?
Is your content up to date?
Do you show social proof or credibility (testimonials, past work)?
Do you show up on Google?
Score guide:
6–7: Strong foundation. Refine your strategy.
4–5: Mid-tier. You’re leaving money on the table.
0–3: Time for a full reset.
If you hesitated on any answer—it’s a no.
What Every Good Website Needs: The 4C Framework
Alisha’s 4C Framework defines what a strong website must deliver:
Clarity – Does your message make sense to someone who’s never met you?
Connection – Is it written and designed to resonate with your audience?
Conversion – Are you turning visitors into leads or sales?
Credibility – Do people trust you based on what they see?
If your site is missing any of these, it’s underperforming.
6 Common Website Mistakes to Fix
Information overload – Say less, with purpose. Your homepage isn’t your résumé.
Weak or missing CTAs – Don’t assume people know what to do next. Tell them.
Stale content – If it doesn’t reflect who you are today, update it.
Generic AI copy – Helpful tool, but use your voice. AI shouldn’t write your story.
Clunky mobile experience – If your site’s hard to use on a phone, it’s working against you.
No analytics – If you don’t know what’s working, you can’t improve it.
Mobile Optimization = Non-Negotiable
Check your site on your phone. If it’s hard to navigate, loads slowly, or looks “off,” it’s time to adjust. Most platforms let you customize the mobile view—use that feature.
Helpful resource:
Mobile Friendly Site Test
Building (or Rebuilding) Your Website: 4 Paths
1. DIY Template (Wix, Squarespace, Shopify)
Fast and affordable, but can feel generic
Ideal for: early-stage businesses
Tools to try: Wix, Squarespace, Shopify
2. AI-Powered Website Builders
3. Hire a Designer to Customize a Template
More polished, budget-friendly
Ideal if you want professional help without a full custom build
4. Full Custom Design
Higher investment, deeper strategy
Best if you’re scaling, rebranding, or need a true digital presence
Done right, it evolves with your business
Call Alisha
Action Steps You Can Take Today
Clarify your homepage message. Ask a peer: “Is it clear what I do in five seconds?”
Make sure every page has a call to action. Not just at the bottom.
Remove or replace outdated bios, testimonials, or photos.
Add recent testimonials that speak to the value you deliver—not just compliments.
Tighten up your mobile layout. Prioritize ease over perfection.
Audit your website images, buttons, and links. Are they working? Are they relevant?
Check your SEO basics. Use free tools like Ubersuggest or Google Search Console.
Thinking About SEO?
Content helps. Clarity helps more. Here’s how to start:
Use keywords your audience actually searches (ex: “ballet classes Denver”)
Make sure your meta descriptions and page titles reflect what you actually offer
Keep your site updated—Google notices
Need a free check? Try Yoast SEO for WordPress or built-in SEO tools on Wix/Squarespace.
Using AI for Content? Here's How to Do It Right
Start with your voice: Bullet points, tone, audience.
Use AI to draft content, not replace strategy.
Always review, edit, and humanize before publishing.
Keep your call to action clear and conversational.
Want help writing prompts that work? Ask us: we’ll send you examples.
If You Need Help…
Contact Alisha Harris
Founder & CEO, Original Account Strategies
alisha@originalaccountstrategies.com
originalaccountstrategies.com
Alisha offers strategy sessions, audits, and full web redesigns. She’s also part of the Athena community, so she gets what you’re building.
