DIYing Your Website? Avoid These 3 Design Mistakes
If you're building your website yourself, first—take a deep breath and give yourself some credit. It’s no small task to put your brand out there in such a visible way.
And as a solopreneur, you’re wearing all the hats: CEO, service provider, content creator... and now designer, too.
Whether you're in the early days of business or simply love the creative control of DIYing, there’s something empowering about figuring it out as you go. But I’ve seen time and time again how a few common design mistakes can trip up even the most thoughtful business owners—costing you clicks, inquiries, or sales.
Let’s fix that. Here are three of the biggest DIY website mistakes I see (and how you can steer clear of them).
1. Cluttered Pages Without a Clear Purpose
Trying to fit everything on one page? I get it. You’ve got so much to offer, and you don’t want people to miss a thing.
But when your homepage tries to do too much, visitors can feel overwhelmed or unsure where to go next. That uncertainty often leads to them clicking away.
What to do instead:
Focus each page on one clear goal. Think about what you want visitors to do—book a service, browse your offer, read your story—and guide them there with intentional content and layout. Leave space between sections and give your words and visuals room to breathe.
2. Inconsistent Branding
One page is soft and elegant, the next is bold and loud. Or maybe your fonts and colors change depending on your mood. It happens more often than you’d think.
What to do instead:
Choose a defined brand palette—colors, fonts, and visual style—and use it consistently across your site. Not only does it help your business look more professional, but it builds trust by making your site feel cohesive and intentional.
Need help choosing your brand colors? I created a free color palette guide you can find in the footer of this blog. It’s a great place to start.
3. Forgetting About Mobile
If your site looks beautiful on desktop but wonky on mobile, that’s a problem. Most people are browsing from their phones, and if things don’t load right or feel clunky, they’ll move on before they even get to know you.
What to do instead:
Check your site on your phone often. Make sure buttons are easy to tap, text is legible without zooming, and sections stack in a way that feels natural. Most website platforms (like Squarespace) let you customize the mobile view—use it to your advantage.
One Final Sip
You don’t have to do it all alone. If your DIY site isn’t quite reflecting the business you’ve built—or if you’re not sure what’s working and what’s not—I offer friendly, personalized Website Audits.
You’ll get honest feedback, a clear plan, and easy next steps you can actually take (without redoing your entire site).
You’ve already done the brave thing by showing up. Now let’s make sure your website is doing the same.
Hi, I’m Christina—designer, strategist, and your website’s new best friend.
I help solopreneurs build beautiful, intentional websites that actually work for their business (without the tech overwhelm). When I’m not designing in Squarespace, you’ll find me homeschooling my kids with a coffee in hand and cozy slippers on my feet.
