Small Business PSA: It’s Okay That You’ve Designed Your Own Website!
Let’s settle this once and for all—if you’ve designed your own website, this is your permission slip to stop apologising! In my 11 years as a brand & website designer, I’ve heard countless women in business say, “Oh, don’t look at my website, it’s just something I threw together.” But here’s the truth: DIY websites are nothing to be ashamed of. In fact, in the early stages of your business, they can be a brilliant move! You’re still figuring out your offerings, audience, and overall direction.
at first, A flexible, homemade website is often the best fit for your evolving brand
Think about it this way, your first year in business is a whirlwind of growth and experimentation. You’ll likely change your services, messaging, and even who you’re targeting.
A site that you’ve created yourself gives you the freedom to adjust things on the fly without needing to rely on a designer. That kind of autonomy is priceless when you’re still finding your feet! Plus, designing your own site builds confidence in managing and updating it as your business shifts, which is crucial early on while you’re still in the ‘wearing all the hats’ zone of small business ownership.
Sure, you may reach a point where your DIY site starts to feel a little “meh.” Maybe it no longer reflects your professionalism, or you’ve outgrown the simple design. That’s totally natural! If you’re beginning to feel embarrassed about sending people to your site, or it’s not representing your brand as well as it could, it’s a sign you’ve hit a new level. That’s when it’s time to think about hiring a designer to take things up a notch.
The beauty of working with a web designer at this stage is that you now have extreme clarity
You know what your brand is about, who your audience is, and what you want your site to achieve. A designer can take all that knowledge and create something stunning, polished, and reflective of the professional you’ve become. It’s all about making your brand feel cohesive, authentic, and ready to shine online.
But don’t rush the process!
There’s absolutely zero shame in rocking that self-made website until you’re truly ready to go all-in on a rebrand.
The important thing is to know when it’s time to evolve, and that’s usually when your website no longer feels like you. When that moment comes, embrace the change and look forward to the next exciting chapter in your business journey.
So, if you’re reading this and still feeling unsure about your DIY website, here’s a little reminder: you’re doing great, babe.
But when you are ready for that glow-up, to showcase your brand in its best light, a custom-designed website is waiting for you. Let’s create something beautiful that you’ll be proud to share!
