What I Wish I Knew Before Hiring a Web Designer as a First-Time Entrepreneur
The Mistake I Made Right After Deciding to Start My Business
When I first decided to start my own business, I knew I needed a website. Like most first-time entrepreneurs, it felt like the obvious first step was an online home where people could find me, learn what I offered, and eventually become customers. I thought, if I’m serious about this, I need to build a website for my business.
But as a busy mom juggling the demands of everyday life, I didn’t have the time, energy, or know-how to build one myself. I wasn’t techy. I wasn’t confident. I just wanted something professional, something that would help me grow my business.
So, I decided that hiring a web designer was the smart move. I assumed a professional would know exactly how to create a site that would speak directly to my audience and turn visitors into paying customers. After all, this was their area of expertise—right?
Like so many new entrepreneurs, I believed that working with a designer would guarantee a high-converting website. But what I didn’t realize was this: beautiful design alone doesn’t create a website that converts. Strategy does.
The Website That Looked Great, But Didn’t Work
When the website was complete, I was so proud. It was stunning—clean layout, beautiful images, and all the bells and whistles. It looked exactly like the kind of polished, professional site I thought a real business should have.
I couldn’t wait to show it to one of my mentors, a wildly successful online entrepreneur who had built a multi-million dollar brand in the digital space.
He looked at it briefly, then said something I’ll never forget:
“This is a beautiful site, Halle—but it’s not a functioning one.”
My heart sank. I had just invested $5,000 into a website that looked amazing but wouldn’t grow my business. I had made one of the most common website mistakes first-time entrepreneurs make: I focused on how it looked, not whether it would convert visitors into customers.
It was a hard (and expensive) lesson in what makes a high-converting website, and what doesn’t.
The Problem…
He explained that while it looked amazing, it lacked the strategy needed to actually grow a business.
It didn’t guide the visitor through a clear journey.
It didn’t communicate the value of my offer or who it was for.
And most importantly—it didn’t have a way to collect emails or generate leads.
It was a pretty shell with no engine behind it. I was devastated, overwhelmed, and frustrated.
I thought I had done the right thing. I thought I was checking the box. But I had made a common mistake: focusing on how it looked rather than how it worked.
What Actually Worked
After that painful lesson, I decided to go back to the drawing board—but this time, I did things differently.
Instead of hiring someone else, I rolled up my sleeves and learned how to build a simple website myself. One with a purpose. One that spoke directly to the women I wanted to serve.
I created a site that focused on two key things:
Informing my ideal customer—by clearly communicating what was in it for her, why it mattered, and how I could help.
Capturing her email—so I could build a relationship, provide real value, and serve her better over time.
No complicated tech. No fluff. Just clarity, connection, and conversion.
And you know what? It worked.
When I finally stopped chasing “perfect” and started focusing on what my website was actually meant to do, everything changed. My followers began turning into paying customers. My confidence grew. My business began to gain traction.
You Don’t Need Fancy—You Need Functional
So many women—especially moms stepping into entrepreneurship—get stuck right where I was.
You know you need a website, but you feel overwhelmed by the tech.
You don’t know where to start.
And you assume hiring someone else is the best solution.
But here's the truth: You don’t need a fancy website. You need a functional one.
One that clearly speaks to your audience, invites them into a journey, and turns them into leads and customers.
And you can absolutely build that kind of website yourself—with the right guidance and support.
Build a Website That Converts—Without the Tech Overwhelm
If you’re a busy mom or a brand-new entrepreneur, I want you to know there’s a smarter, simpler way to get your business online—without wasting money, time, or sanity.
Let me show you how to build a simple, high-converting website that actually grows your business (even if you’re not techy).
