Dear Sela Vie: I hired a designer… So why do I still hate my website?
Dear Sela Vie: I hired a designer… So why do I still hate my website?
Introducing: Dear Sela Vie
We get questions in our inbox (and DMs... and from friends over coffee) all the time about branding, websites, and design struggles. So we thought—why not turn these into an advice column for all of you? Welcome to Dear Sela Vie, where we answer real questions from real business owners who are trying to figure this whole thing out.
This week’s question came from a friend who said:
"Hey, I’m working with a designer and I’m really struggling to get what I want. We’re almost done with the project and I’m... not happy. What’s your best advice for getting my website to a place where I’m excited about it?"
And listen—we get it. We see this play out a lot: someone will see the cost of working with a team like ours and think, “I can just hire a freelancer for less,” or “My friend is a graphic designer, they can do it.” And sometimes that works out! But more often than not, those same people circle back months later feeling stuck, frustrated, and wondering why their website still feels off after all the time and money spent.
So here’s what we told her, and what we’re telling you:
Websites aren’t tattoos.
You’re not stuck with it forever. Even if your site isn’t your dream design baby right now, live with it for a bit. Google likes evolving sites. At Sela Vie, we redesign ours every year. So... perfection can wait. You can save up, gather more ideas, and try again.
Imagery is queen.
Your photos and videos need to carry the story. Gorgeous visuals make up for a lot of design limitations. No tiny images. No awkward angles. Big, beautiful shots that make people stop scrolling.
Start with desire, not data.
Stop treating your website like a resume. It should make people want what you’ve got. Less “read about me,” more “look what could be yours.” To help your designer get closer to your target, circle back to your website copy with the goal of fewer words, more feeling. See our next point.
Copy first, then design.
If you jumped into design before getting your messaging right, start over. Answer these questions of yourself first:
How would you describe your business to a stranger in 30 seconds?
What makes you different from everyone else?
How do you make your customer’s life easier/better?
Who exactly are you talking to?
Write it all down, then cut the fluff. (What constitutes fluff? See our next point.) Then hand it back to your designer, and ask them to edit accordingly.
The goal isn’t to sign contracts.
It’s to get people to call, email, or book an intro meeting. That’s it. Your site is just the introduction, not the whole pitch deck.
Fewer pages. Fewer buttons. Fewer headaches.
Your navigation should be foolproof. Stretch the menu across the top. Make the path to connecting with you WAY obvious.
Now a gentle, loving reminder: yes, hiring a team like ours might cost more upfront. But you should also think about the cost of not hiring us—the cost of spinning your wheels, redoing work, and feeling stuck with something that doesn’t feel like you and isn’t selling your products or services*.*
You deserve a website that works, that feels right, and that makes people want to reach out.
