5 Website Red Flags That Could Cost You Starbase Louisiana Work

SpaceX’s $100 billion Starbase Louisiana project in Vermilion Parish is going to bring a wave of new buyers to South Louisiana: prime contractors, procurement teams, investors, and the businesses that support them. Before any of them pick up the phone, they’ll look you up online.

In our last post, we covered what procurement teams check first when they size up a potential vendor’s website. This time, we’re looking at the other side of the coin: the red flags that quietly knock contractors out of the running before anyone reads a capability statement.

The good news is that every one of these is fixable.

Why Red Flags Matter More Now

According to Louisiana Economic Development, Starbase Louisiana is expected to create about 8,100 indirect job opportunities for local contractors and vendors, with construction expected to begin by the end of 2027. That’s a lot of companies competing for attention.

When a buyer has a long list of possible suppliers, they’re not looking for reasons to call you. They’re looking for reasons to narrow the list. A single red flag on your website can be enough.

Red Flag #1: A “Not Secure” Warning

If your website doesn’t use HTTPS with a valid SSL certificate, many browsers show visitors a “Not secure” warning. For a buyer who handles sensitive project information, that’s an immediate credibility hit.

The fix: Make sure your site has an active SSL certificate, and keep your content management system and plugins updated. A managed hosting and support plan handles this for you, with daily backups and ongoing security updates.

Red Flag #2: A Website That Looks Abandoned

An old copyright year in the footer. A “Latest News” section that hasn’t been updated in years. Team photos of people who left long ago. None of these mean your business isn’t thriving, but to an outsider, they suggest nobody’s paying attention.

The fix: Update the basics: copyright year, team page, recent projects, and contact details. Then put a simple reminder on the calendar to review your site every quarter.

Red Flag #3: A Broken Mobile Experience

Plenty of first impressions happen on a phone, in a truck, or between meetings. If your text is tiny, buttons overlap, or pages take forever to load, buyers won’t stick around to figure it out.

The fix: Pull up your site on your own phone and click through every main page. If it’s frustrating for you, it’s frustrating for them. A modern, responsive website design works on every screen size.

Red Flag #4: No Proof of Your Work

Saying you’re experienced is easy. Showing it is what builds trust. Websites with no project photos, no case studies, and no mention of safety records or certifications leave buyers guessing, and guessing usually means moving on.

The fix: Add a few strong case studies that explain the challenge, your approach, and the result. Include real photos, project scale, and any certifications or safety credentials. See how we present our own case studies for ideas.

Red Flag #5: Contact Info That’s Hard to Find (or Hard to Trust)

No physical address. A contact form that goes nowhere. A free email address instead of one on your company domain. Each of these makes a business look smaller or less established than it really is.

The fix: Put your phone number, a company email address, and your physical location where they’re easy to find on every page. Test your contact form to make sure messages actually arrive.

Quick Gut Check

Open your website and ask:

• Does my browser show a secure connection with no warnings?
• Would a stranger think this site was updated recently?
• Does every page work smoothly on my phone?
• Can a visitor see real examples of our work within a click or two?
• Is it obvious how to reach us, and do we look like an established company?

If any answer is “no,” that’s a red flag a buyer might notice before you do.

Fixing It Isn’t Rocket Science (But It Is a Science)

Comit Developers has built more than 3,500 websites across Louisiana since 2003, including sites for regional economic development leaders like One Acadiana. We follow a proven process from discovery and strategy through design, development, testing, and launch, and we stick around afterward with hosting, security, and support.

If you’re not sure how your site stacks up, start a conversation with our team. We’ll show you what a buyer sees today and what to fix first.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common website red flags for contractors?

The most common are security warnings, outdated content, poor mobile performance, a lack of project examples or case studies, and contact information that’s missing or hard to trust.

Why does my website matter for Starbase Louisiana work?

Buyers and prime contractors will research local suppliers as the project moves forward, and your website is often the first thing they see. Red flags can rule your company out before you ever get a call.

How do I know if my website has a security problem?

Look at the address bar in your browser. If your site doesn’t start with HTTPS or shows a “Not secure” warning, it needs attention. Outdated plugins and software are another common risk.

How often should I update my business website?

Review key content like projects, team information, and contact details at least every few months, and apply security updates on an ongoing basis.

Can Comit Developers fix these issues on my existing website?

Often, yes. Many red flags can be fixed without a full rebuild. Reach out to our team and we’ll recommend the right approach for your site.