What Eight Years of Building Websites Taught Me
I got into websites in 2017 while building one for a nonprofit I started for my mother. My goal was simple: help her retire early. I had no idea that years later I’d understand websites, platforms, hosting, SEO, freelancers, and strategy the way I do now.
I’ve taken classes, tested platforms, hired help, rebuilt sites, upgraded, downgraded, and learned the hard way.
Here’s what actually matters.
Don’t Build Before You Think
Many of us jump straight into designing a beautiful website. We launch something that looks amazing — but no one can find it. That’s like opening a luxury store in the desert.
Before you design, focus on fundamentals:
Speed matters. If your website loads slowly, visitors leave. They won’t wait. And they won’t come back.
Navigation must be obvious.
When someone lands on your site, they should instantly know:
What you do
Who it’s for
What to do next
Confusion kills conversions.
Prioritize discoverability over design. I’ve seen people obsess over logos and colors but ignore SEO. That’s backwards. If people can’t find you, design doesn’t matter. A mentor once told me, “Easy is the business.” The easier you make it for customers, the more they buy and return.
You Probably Don’t Need What You Think You Need
Most beginners want:
Fancy animations
Complex features
Premium packages
But what you actually need is:
To be searchable
To be clear
To convert visitors
Your favorite colors don’t matter as much as psychology and user behavior. What works in the market matters more than what you personally prefer. The market controls the market.
Start With What Your Business Needs Now
If you’re in e-commerce, your site will differ from a blogger or service provider. Build for your current stage — not for a future version of your business. I’ve paid for upgraded packages because I thought, “I’ll need this someday.” That someday didn’t come fast enough to justify the cost.
Simple website builders are great for:
One-page sites
Linking to external tools
Budget-conscious startups
All-in-one hosting platforms are helpful when you truly need blogging, SEO tools, and e-commerce under one roof. Upgrade when your business demands it — not before.
Your Website Is an Employee
I see websites as employees with 50 arms.
They should:
Work for you
Capture leads
Help generate income
If your site isn’t helping you grow or earn, simplify. Match your website to your business phase. As you grow, you can scale your tech.
Freelancers Help — But Strategy Is Yours
Freelancers can:
Build your site
Connect domains
Handle backend tech
But they won’t define your message or strategy unless you pay specifically for that. You still need to know your call to action and your audience. Technology without clarity doesn’t convert.
Two Final Things
Accessibility matters. Make your site usable for everyone. It’s ethical and smart. Use data tools when ready. Heat maps and analytics can reveal where users click and where you lose them.
The biggest lesson?
“I don’t know what I don’t know.”
Author: Shea Johnson is an AI Business Coach who writes about entrepreneurship, technology, and transformation. Explore more of her articles at medium.com/@mssheajohnson
