This is the fourth in a 5-part Series on Things to Consider Before Hiring a Web Designer. You can catch the whole series inepisodess 106 – 110.
For those of you that don’t know, in addition to this podcast, I not only teach WordPress through my 5 Day Website Challenge, but I also do one-on-one client work, and what pains me the most is when someone comes to me desperate because they’ve had a bad experience with another web designer.
So this series is designed to empower you to find the right designer and know what to expect along the way.
So what I’m about to say next might surprise you:
If you’re just starting your side hustle, do not, I repeat, do not, spend your money on a web designer.
Unless you have money to burn, just don’t do it.
A few years ago I interviewed one of my online mentors from afar, Becca Tracey, about her experience with building her own website for her business.
Becca is a business coach who helps Uncage their Business and get really clear on who they work with and what packages they offer.
Here’s what she said when I asked her what advice she’d give to someone starting their own business:
“START. Get a little bit clear on what you want to do, then start doing it. The rest of the clarity will come. Also, start your website right away. Do it yourself on the cheap (blogging is a GREAT way to get more clarity and to help hone your voice). Start to build it up as you go, and when you’re clear on what your niche is and what you’re selling, invest in having it done properly. But getting it up right away makes everything feel more REAL, and that will help keep you motivated!”
Did you catch that? “Do it yourself on the cheap, build it up as you go and when you’re clear on what your niche is and what you’re selling, invest in having it done properly.
Yes, yes, a thousand times yes!!!
I understand wanting a professional online presence and to put your best foot forward, but you do not need to pay someone to do it for you.
In fact, I teach you how to do it for free with my 5 Day Website Challenge. So if you’re just getting started, go take it. Go build your own website.
And then go do business!! Take action.
Because I can almost guarantee you, it’s not going to look like what you thought it would look like. You’re going to hate doing something you thought you would love, you’re going to discover something new that you love, you’re going to want o try that thing and it turns out to be successful beyond your wildest imagination – and THEN it’s time to have your website professionally done so you can up your game.
The other benefit to that is that you’re EMPOWERED. You can be nimble. You can make changes, and adjust course while you’re in that critical growth period in your first couple of years. You don’t have to pay someone to make changes as your business grows and evolves. It’s like, the most important skill you could ever learn in your online business.
And then you have some come in and do it WAY better than you were able to do, and you will have such a better understanding of what is required to actually do what you want to do.
And THAT’s when your web design projects gel.
So here’s the thing. You can spend a bunch of time THINKING and PLANNING and analyzing to get the clarity needed to actually have someone else build a website for you, but there’s no substitute for action. Action is how you get feedback, and feedback is how you know if you’re on the right track.
So again, if you’re just starting out, go DIY – or if you’ve got the money to spend on all the course corrections you’ll make along the way, that’s totally fine too, just be aware of that.
And go get Becca’s 3 Month Hustle checklist at https://theuncagedlife.com/ – it’ll cut through all the crap and tell you exactly what to do in your first 3 months in business.
But if you’re a couple of years in, you’re clear on your business model and your client and your packages, by all means, hire it out!
And also, you’re my kinda client! So if you’re interested in how I can help you, you can check out my Done For You package at www.shannonmattern.com/dfy Clear the space in your life, on your schedule and let’s build the online home of your dreams, BFF!!
Today’s pep talk is brought to you by Bluehost. Go to www.shannonmattern.com/bluehost and get 36 months of web hosting for just $2.95 a month. That’s less than one trip to Starbucks a month – and if you’re anything like me, you’re at Starbucks more than that!
Then you can sign up for my Free 5 Day Website Challenge at www.shannonmattern.com/5day and I’ll show you step by step how to get started building your new website for your side hustle.
