If a potential customer landed on your website right now, would they know what to do in three seconds — or would they quietly leave?

In this episode of Small Team, Big Impact, Grace and Marcus break down the three-second homepage test — a simple, practical way for founders and marketing managers to assess whether their homepage is clear, trustworthy, and conversion-ready.

You’ll learn how to spot the most common homepage mistakes that cause confusion, reduce trust, and cost you enquiries — and how to fix them quickly, without a full redesign.

This episode is designed for UK SMEs, founders, and small marketing teams who want clearer messaging, better conversions, and fewer wasted opportunities.

• What the three-second homepage test is and why it matters
• The three questions every homepage must answer immediately
• Common homepage mistakes that quietly kill conversions
• How vague headlines and weak calls-to-action create confusion
• Why clarity beats cleverness every time
• How to run the test on your own website — solo or with real users
• Simple homepage fixes you can make in under an hour
• A proven headline formula to improve clarity and trust
• Why removing elements often improves conversions more than adding them

1. What do you do?
2. Who is it for?
3. What should I do next?

If any of these aren’t obvious within three seconds, visitors are likely leaving — even if your service is excellent.

• Run the three-second test on your own homepage
• Ask one person who fits your ideal customer profile to do it for you
• Rewrite your headline using this formula:
• We help [who] achieve [outcome] without [pain]
• Choose one clear call-to-action above the fold
• Remove one unnecessary element to improve clarity

Have a question about your website or a page you’re unsure about?

Send it in — we regularly turn listener questions into future episodes.

Small Team, Big Impact is a podcast by People First Digital, sharing clear, practical marketing guidance for UK SMEs, founders, and marketing managers.

No fluff. No hype. Just what works for small teams.

Show notes and resources: peoplefirstdigital.com

New episodes every Wednesday at 7:30am

3-second homepage test, website conversions, SME website optimisation, homepage clarity, UX writing for SMEs, UK small business marketing, founder marketing advice

Confusing websites don’t just frustrate visitors — they quietly erode trust. And for small teams, trust is your most valuable competitive advantage.

In this episode of Small Team, Big Impact, Grace and Marcus explore the psychology behind clarity, why humans instantly mistrust unclear websites, and how small teams like Fiona’s can fix trust-breaking messaging without a redesign.

You’ll learn:

• Why confusion creates doubt — and doubt leads to lost conversions

• The four trust signals every website must deliver within five seconds

• How clarity reduces anxiety and increases credibility

• Why messaging (not design) is usually the real problem

• Simple changes any SME can make this week to rebuild trust

This episode is perfect for small marketing teams, founders, and anyone who wants a clearer, more trustworthy website without spending thousands.

Show notes and resources: peoplefirstdigital.com

why websites lose trust, confusing websites, clarity in website messaging, web design for SMEs, small business website mistakes, website clarity checklist, improve website conversions UK, trust signals on websites, StoryBrand website messaging, simple website improvements.

Most small businesses think they need a full website redesign. In reality, they don’t.

The real issue is usually clarity — not code, not design, and not budget.

In this episode, Grace and Marcus break down the five Clarity Principles that help UK SMEs turn confusing websites into clear, confident experiences that customers understand within seconds. You’ll learn why the five-second test matters, where overwhelm comes from, and how a clearer homepage can instantly improve your results.

If you want a website that works harder for your business without a full redesign, this episode will help you take the first step — with simple, practical changes you can make this week.

A clear, practical guide to improving small business websites using People First Digital's Clarity Principles. Learn how to rewrite your homepage, reduce overwhelm, and create a website that converts — without a full redesign.

web design for SMEs, website redesign UK, small business website design, homepage clarity, improve my website, website messaging, SME marketing, user experience for small businesses, clear website copy, People First Digital, Small Team Big Impact podcast, UK SMEs, marketing for small teams

AI is no longer science fiction: 78 % of organisations were using AI in 2024 and the AI marketing market exceeded £47 billion in 2025. Yet many marketers still feel daunted. In this episode of Small Team, Big Impact, Grace and Marcus demystify AI and predictive analytics, sharing why 61 % of organisations use AI to improve decision‑making and 75 % see revenue growth. They address privacy concerns—nearly 80 % of consumers worry about data use and reveal how first‑party data strategies can lift revenue by up to 2.9×. The hosts introduce the PAIR Framework (Prepare, Apply, Interpret, Reinforce) to help UK SMEs use AI ethically and humanely. Expect clear guidance, practical examples and three simple actions you can take this week.

human-centred AI, predictive analytics, SME marketing, AI adoption, first-party data, privacy, PAIR framework, data ethics, UK SMEs, People First Digital, Small Team Big Impact

Voice search adoption is exploding: more than eight billion voice assistants are active worldwide, over half of people have tried voice search and a fifth use it regularly. In this episode, Grace and Marcus explain why optimising for voice and social search is critical for UK SMEs, share statistics on local voice searches and conversions, and introduce the VOICE Framework (Verify, Optimise, Intent‑rich, Calls to action, Evaluate & Engage). Learn how to be heard and found without overwhelm, and get three practical steps you can take this week.

voice search, social search, conversational search, local business SEO, Google Business Profile, natural language keywords, voice optimisation, smart speaker marketing, SME marketing, UK small businesses, VOICE Framework, People First Digital

Trust in “green” marketing is fragile. Over 90 % of consumers consider sustainability important when choosing a brand, but 57 % distrust vague eco‑claims. In this episode of Small Team, Big Impact, Grace and Marcus share why sustainability and purpose can’t be buzzwords any more — they must be backed by proof.

They introduce the PACT framework (Purpose, Action, Communication, Transparency) to help UK SMEs turn values into verifiable actions that build trust and grow the business. You’ll learn why purpose‑driven brands outperform competitors, how to use storytelling to engage your audience and why transparent marketing has a positive ROI.

Tune in for practical tips and three simple actions you can take this week to make your marketing genuinely sustainable.

sustainability marketing, purpose-driven marketing, PACT framework, values-led branding, sustainable branding, UK SMEs, SME marketing, ethical marketing, trust and transparency, green marketing ROI, People First Digital, Small Team Big Impact podcast, consumer trust, environmental impact, brand purpose

Trust is at an all-time low online. Over-polished ads, influencer fatigue, and AI-generated everything have created a major trust deficit — and small businesses are feeling the impact.

In today’s episode, Grace and Marcus explore how small teams can cut through the noise by focusing on what audiences trust most: real customer content.

They introduce The REAL Framework — Reveal, Engage, Align, Learn — a simple, actionable guide for building credibility through honest, human-centred marketing.

You’ll learn:

• Why trust is collapsing online — and what UK consumers now expect
• How real user content outperforms polished ads
• Where SMEs waste valuable time trying to “look perfect”
• How to use the REAL Framework this week
• Why transparency around AI use matters more than ever

Perfect for founders, overstretched marketing managers, and any UK SME wanting to build loyalty without shouting louder.

Subscribe to Small Team, Big Impact and get full show notes at peoplefirstdigital.com.

SME marketing, user generated content, real customer content, trust deficit marketing, authentic marketing UK, people first marketing, small business social media, REAL framework marketing, UK SME marketing podcast, brand trust strategies

Grace and Marcus dive into employee advocacy — the practice of empowering your team to share company‑related content through their own networks. They discuss why employee‑generated content delivers 561 % more reach than corporate posts and how high‑growth companies use simple programmes to amplify their message. With a focus on UK SMEs, they share research‑backed insights and a three‑step framework (Choose, Create, Celebrate) to help you start small and build momentum.

employee advocacy; employee‑generated content; SME marketing; UK small business marketing; staff advocacy programme; internal marketing; team empowerment; employee engagement; UK SMEs; small marketing teams; employee social media.