KEENE, N.H. (MyKeeneNow) We see it all the time here in Keene and the surrounding towns. Businesses with websites that look like they were built in 2009, don’t work on a phone, or load so slowly you could make a sandwich before the homepage shows up. And in some cases — no website at all, just a lonely Facebook page.

If that’s you, here’s the uncomfortable truth: you are actively losing customers every single day.

First impressions happen online now.

For most people in Keene, the first time they “see” your business isn’t when they walk down Main Street — it’s when they search for you on their phone. And when they land on a bad, outdated, or clunky site, they don’t think, “Oh, they must be really good in person.” They think, “If they don’t care about their own business, why should I trust them with mine?”

Here’s what the data says:

  • 88% of online consumers are less likely to return to a site after a bad experience (Forrester Research).
  • Mobile accounts for over 60% of all website traffic, yet nearly half of small business websites aren’t mobile-friendly (Statista).
  • Google’s algorithm actively pushes sites with poor mobile usability or slow load speeds lower in search rankings (Google Search Central).
  • A 1-second delay in page load time can lead to a 7% loss in conversions (Akamai).

And no — a Facebook page is not a replacement for a website.

You don’t own it, you can’t control how it’s shown, and algorithms decide who even sees your content. Plus, most people searching for a business expect a professional website — not just a social media profile.

Bad online presence = buried in search results.

Google’s job is to give searchers the best possible results. That means fast, mobile-friendly, easy-to-use websites. If yours isn’t, you’re not just invisible to customers — you’re invisible to Google, too. And customers don’t scroll to page 3 to find you.

The Keene Self-Test

Right now — grab your phone and search for your business name.

  • How fast does your site load?
  • Can you read and click everything easily without zooming?
  • Can you easily click to call without hunting for the phone number?
  • Does it look as good — or better — than your top competitors in Keene?

If you’re cringing at what you see, you’re not alone. Every day you delay fixing your online presence is another day your competitors — the ones who are taking it seriously — win the customer you never even knew was looking for you.

Your website is the modern-day front door to your business. In Keene, if it’s busted, outdated, or hard to use, you’re telling people not to come in.