Starting Out: My Simple Brand & Website Strategy
Starting a business can feel SO overwhelming, especially when it comes to getting your brand and website just right.
Trust me, I've been there.
Looking back at my own online business journey, I realize that perfectionism was my biggest enemy in those early days. I spent way too much time obsessing over details that honestly didn't matter yet.
Building My Brand Foundation
When you're just starting out, your brand doesn't need to be complicated to be effective. In fact, the simpler you keep it, the more consistent you'll be able to stay as you grow.
My Color Palette Strategy
I'd choose just four-five colors total:
One main color that feels aligned with my brand personality and industry
One or two accent colors that complement my main color and give me flexibility
Two neutrals (like a warm white and a deep charcoal) that will do most of the heavy lifting
That's it. No rainbow palettes, no trendy gradients — just a clean, cohesive foundation that I can use consistently across everything from my website to my social media graphics.
My Font Selection Process
Fonts are where I see new business owners get really stuck, but it doesn't have to be complicated:
Headline font: Something that's easy to read but has personality that aligns with my brand. I'd test it at different sizes to make sure it works for everything from my website hero text to social media graphics.
Subhead font: This would double as my tagline font in my logo lockup, so I'd choose something that pairs well with my headline font but offers good contrast.
Paragraph font: Clean, highly readable, and something I won't get tired of seeing everywhere. This will be used heavily throughout my website and marketing materials.
The key here is choosing fonts that work well together and serve multiple purposes rather than having a different font for every single use case.
My Logo Approach
Here's where I'd really keep things simple.
I'd create a clean, straightforward logo that works well as one color. No complicated graphics, no intricate details that disappear when sized down for a social media profile picture. Just something professional, memorable, and versatile.
The truth is, your logo isn't going to make or break your business in the beginning. What matters more is that it's professional, LEGIBLE, and you use it consistently.
Setting Up My Website
When it comes to my website, I'd prioritize getting online and being helpful over having everything be custom and perfect.
The Template Route
I'd absolutely use a website template. There's no shame in this; templates exist because they work, and generally, they're designed by professionals who understand user experience and conversion. I'd choose one that aligns with my brand personality and customize it with my colors, fonts, and content rather than starting from scratch.
My Photography Strategy
Professional photography is important, but it doesn't have to happen on day one. Here's what I'd do:
Take a few quick, cute photos of myself that align with my brand. These don't need to be perfect, just authentic and professional enough for my about page and social media.
Fill in the rest with high-quality paid stock imagery that matches my brand aesthetic. Sites like Unsplash Plus, Haute Stock, or Pixistock have incredible options that can make your website look polished immediately. Unsplash and Dupe Photos are great free options.
The key is being strategic about where you use your personal photos (about page, team page) versus where stock imagery works perfectly fine (service pages, blog posts).
Building My Website for Growth
Here’s how I would set my website up for growth from day one:
Blog integration
I'd make sure my website includes a blog where I can start sharing my expertise and take on industry topics. This is how I'd begin to showcase my knowledge and attract my ideal clients.
Email list building
I'd integrate an email signup with a simple, action-oriented freebie right away. Nothing fancy — maybe a one-page PDF checklist or a simple guide that solves a real problem for my ideal client.
Why This Approach Works
This strategy is about being smart with your time and energy when you're starting out. Here's why it works:
You'll actually launch
Perfectionism keeps businesses in planning mode forever. This approach gets you online and serving people.
It's sustainable
You won't burn out trying to create everything from scratch while also running your business.
It grows with you
These foundations are solid enough to build on as your business evolves.
It's authentic
Simple, clean design often feels more authentic than over-designed websites that try too hard.
The Bottom Line
If I were starting Day Well Made today, I'd remember that my website and brand are tools to serve my business goals, not the other way around. They need to be professional and aligned with my values, but they don't need to be perfect or completely custom from day one.
The most important thing is to start.
Get your foundation in place, launch your business, and refine as you grow. Your future self will thank you for choosing progress over perfection.
Remember: your brand and website should work as hard as you do, but they don't need to be complicated to be effective. Sometimes the simplest approach is the most powerful one.
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