Are you ready for a website?

Two Essential Questions That Can Make or Break Your Investment

When building a website for any reason at all, whether it is your educator portfolio, a menu website for a food truck, or a hair salon website, you have to start with clarity on two things. 

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You have the budget.

You’ve been thinking about this for months, maybe years.

But every time you sit down to actually move forward with your website, something stalls.

Here’s what I’ve learned after years of doing this work: it’s not about the money, and it’s not about finding the right designer. The real problem is that you’re trying to build something meaningful on top of uncertainty. And that never works.

When You Can’t Answer the Basic Questions

I ask two questions at the start of every project:

1. “Who specifically is this for?”

2. “What do they do next?”

When a client can’t answer these, the project doesn’t just slow down. It stops. And the frustrating part is that this happens right at the beginning, not later during design revisions or content creation. The stall happens before we even start because there’s nothing solid to build on.

This isn’t a designer being picky about details. This is a structural problem. If you don’t know who you’re talking to or what you want them to do, I can’t create something that works. I can make something that looks nice, sure. But it won’t actually do anything for you.

“My Business is for Everyone”

I understand the hesitation.

You don’t want to exclude potential clients by being too specific. You’re afraid that picking a lane means leaving money on the table. So you want the website to work for everyone who might need your services.

Here’s what actually happens when you try that approach: you get a cluttered, confusing mess. The design suffers because it’s trying to serve too many purposes at once. The messaging gets watered down because it can’t commit to speaking to anyone in particular.

Your visitors can’t figure out what you actually do or if you can help them. So they leave. The irony is that trying not to exclude anyone means you end up serving no one well.

A Solid Foundation is Key

I won’t start a project without this foundation in place. That probably sounds difficult or gatekeep-y, and I get why it might feel that way. But here’s the thing: I’m not doing this to make your life harder.

I’m doing this because I refuse to build something that won’t work for you. I’ve seen too many websites that look fine on the surface but don’t actually help the business. They sit there, displaying outdated and unattractive information, doing nothing to attract or inform the people who visit.

A solid foundation means you can answer those two questions.

So Now What?

You don’t need to have your entire business strategy mapped out in detail.

You don’t need months of soul-searching or a complete rebrand. You do, however, need to be able to answer those basic questions with some degree of confidence.

If you’re stuck on this, that’s normal. A lot of business owners need help getting to that point of understanding. The good news is that it’s fixable, and it doesn’t take as long as you might think.

I’ve put together a short quiz that will help you figure out if you’re ready to move forward with a website project.

Take it. See where you are. If you’re ready, let’s build something that works!

3 Reasons Your Small Business Needs a Website

Are you weighing the decision to invest in a website? If you feel hesitant because technology isn't your strong suit, you're not alone. Many small business owners share this concern. However, a well-designed website is crucial for your business's growth and for attracting your ideal clients, especially when social media falls short. Here are three compelling reasons why your small business needs a website:

Visibility

First and foremost, having a website significantly improves your online visibility. The more places you appear online, the greater your chances of improving your search engine ranking, or SEO. When potential customers search for services or products you offer, a website ensures that your business appears in search results, making it easier for them to find you. While social media platforms can help, they often have limitations when it comes to reach and discoverability. By investing in a website, you create a dedicated space for your brand, filled with relevant keywords, content, and information that can boost your rankings on search engines like Google. This increased visibility can lead to more traffic, more inquiries, and ultimately more sales.

Credibility

Secondly, a website helps establish credibility for your business. In today’s digital age, consumers often conduct thorough research before making a purchase. A professional website allows you to shape your own narrative and present your brand in the best light. Unlike social media, where posts can quickly get lost in the feed, a website provides a stable platform to showcase your offerings, share testimonials, and communicate your brand values. You can present your story in a polished manner, including details about your products, services, and the unique aspects of your business. This helps build trust with potential clients, making them more likely to choose you over competitors who may not have an online presence.

Productivity 

Lastly, most user-friendly website platforms come equipped with essential tools that can enhance your productivity as a business owner. Features like email integration, scheduling tools, invoicing systems, and content management capabilities streamline your operations and allow you to focus on what you do best—running your business. These platforms often provide templates and easy-to-use interfaces, meaning you don’t need to be a tech expert to create a functional and appealing website.

Bonus

Tip: Many of these platforms also include free email marketing options. In fact, research indicates that email marketing can yield an impressive return on investment, with some studies showing a return of $42 for every dollar spent. This makes it a powerful tool for nurturing leads and maintaining customer relationships.

In Conclusion

Having a website is not just a nice-to-have; it's an essential component of your business's success. It enhances your visibility, builds credibility, and improves organizational efficiency. Embrace the opportunity to invest in a website, and watch how it transforms your business.

How to give Feedback to get the website of your dreams

Your input is invaluable as your website takes shape. Providing thoughtful, specific feedback helps ensure the final product aligns with your vision and delivers an excellent user experience. But giving feedback on web design can feel overwhelming—where do you start? Here’s a quick guide to help you share feedback that’s both actionable and effective.

First, Two Quick Tips:

1. Don’t worry about sounding professional. Sound like you. There are over 1.5 billion websites out there, but your story will separate this one from the rest. If you read the words back and don’t hear your own voice in your head, that’s a good sign you still have more work to do.

2. Be clear, be confident and don’t overthink it. The beauty of your story is that it’s going to continue to evolve and your site can evolve with it. Your goal should be to make it feel right for right now. Later will take care of itself. It always does.

Start with the Big Picture

Before diving into details, take a moment to consider how the overall website aligns with your brand:

• Does it reflect your brand’s tone and style?

• Is the navigation clear and easy to follow?

• Does the homepage immediately communicate what your business offers?

Example Feedback: “The homepage layout looks great, but the overall tone feels too casual. Can we make it more polished to match our brand?”

Focus on Specific Web Elements

Here are key elements to review and suggestions on how to frame your feedback:

Colors - Feedback Example: “The color palette looks cohesive, but the call-to-action buttons could use a brighter shade for better visibility.”

Fonts - Feedback Example: “The font style is on-brand, but the size on the mobile version seems too small. Can we increase it for readability?”

Images - Feedback Example: “The header image is eye-catching, but the team photo feels outdated. Can we replace it with a more recent one?”

Content - Feedback Example: “The About Us section is clear, but the tone feels too formal. Let’s make it more conversational.”

Layout - Feedback Example: “The layout flows well, but the Services section feels crowded. Can we add more spacing between the columns?”

User Experience (UX)

Think about how customers will use your site and feel while they’re on your page.

• Is the navigation easy?

• Are buttons and links highly visible?

• Does the site load quickly on your computer and phone?

Example Feedback: “The navigation bar is easy to use, but the dropdown menu options feel overwhelming. Can we simplify them?”

Be Constructive and Collaborative

Instead of simply pointing out what’s wrong, share why something doesn’t work and suggest alternatives:

• “The blog page looks great, but the text is hard to read against the background. Could we use a lighter background or a darker font color?”

• “The footer feels empty. Can we add links to our social media accounts or a newsletter signup?”

Give Feedback Early and Often

Timely feedback avoids costly revisions later. Aim to review deliverables promptly and communicate your thoughts as the project progresses. This ensures you and your designer stay aligned throughout the process.

Providing clear, constructive feedback doesn’t have to be stressful. No website is perfect at launch, and that’s okay! Focus on getting the core functionality and design right. Additional tweaks and updates can always be made post-launch. By following these steps and collaborating with your designer, you’ll help create a website that perfectly captures your brand and delights your audience.

Ready to get started? Contact me or email me today for expert web design services!