3 signs you shouldn't hire a web designer... yet

As a web designer, I’m a big believer in the power of a good website.

I’m proud to help my clients achieve awesome results through their sites, like booking 30 new clients, boosting email opt-ins by 43%, and landing major speaking gigs.

But…

Hiring a designer isn’t the right fit for everyone.

I want all of my clients to get a fantastic return on their investment, and the truth is not every business is in the right spot to do that.

It might surprise you to hear, but I actually tell people this on sales calls all the time. I’m very upfront about it.

Usually this conversation happens in a private setting, but today I wanted to share more openly.

Here are 3 signs you shouldn’t hire a web designer… yet (and what to do instead).

01. Your business is less than a year old

You know how babies outgrow their clothes almost immediately?

The same applies to your first year of business. You’re learning a ton, getting your first clients, and growing every day. The second you think you’ve got things figured out, they change.

Investing in a designer at this stage isn’t a smart use of your money.

It’s a bit like buying a $10,000 romper for your 11-month old. No matter how adorable it looks, your baby is going to need a new one in a couple of months.

Instead, the best thing you can do as a new business owner is to keep your website simple and flexible. You’ll want a…

Simple website that you can update and edit yourself (Squarespace is great for this)
An email marketing service provider (l use ConvertKit)
1–2 professional headshots
A way to take online payments (I use Stripe)

(ps. I have a course called Simple Site Blueprint that’s perfect if you’re in your first year of business!)

If you create a simple online presence and then focus all your effort on getting clients and growing your revenue, you’ll be on your way to needing a web designer in no time.

02. You’re not crystal-clear on some basics

Clarity is the single most important ingredient to a successful website.

You don’t need to know all the tech or design details, but it’s important that you’re able to answer these questions before you hire a designer:

What you sell
Who you sell it to
How you’d like them to buy it from you

Pro tip: if you’re looking to work with the best people, clarity is one of the most valuable things you can bring to the table. All the top service providers I know screen for it when interviewing clients.

If you’re not 100% clear about the three things above, I recommend investing in a DIY course like Simple Site Blueprint instead of hiring a designer.

03. You’re on a bootstrap budget

Creating a new website is a big investment and you really do get what you pay for. Going for the cheapest designer out there often means a do-over and paying twice.

That doesn’t mean you have to have to be swimming in an ocean of cash to have a beautiful site, though!

Here are some tips to help if you’re on a bootstrap budget…

Save up until you can afford the quality of services you want
Talk to your designer about doing your project in phases
Arrange a custom payment plan
Start with a DIY web design course like Simple Site Blueprint

Payment plans aren’t always listed online, but that shouldn’t stop you from asking.

In my own business, I’ve broken really large projects down into as many as 12 payments. This makes life easier for my clients and provides recurring revenue for me. It’s a win-win!

Should you DIY or hire a designer?

At the end of the day, you’ve got two options when it comes to your website: DIY or hire a designer. Pretty simple, right?

If any of the signs we talked about in this post sound like you, I recommend that you DIY your site with the support of a proven step-by-step system, like Simple Site Blueprint.

Then, you can hire a designer once you and your business are truly ready!

Free bonus resource:

Whether you’re planning to DIY your site or hire a designer, creating a website is a project with a lot of moving pieces.

That’s why I’ve created this FREE Masterclass to show you the secrets to a simple website that sells your services. Click the button below to get instant access to this free training!

Watch the free masterclass!