image with blog title and someone's hands typing on a laptop that's sitting on the grass in the sun

Introduction

Ever feel a little weird when someone asks, “Do you have a website?”

Maybe you say “Uhhh, not yet…”
Or “It’s not really updated…”
Or just send them to your Instagram and hope for the best?

Yeah. Been there. For years, people told me a website wasn’t necessary — that social media was enough, that it would be a waste of time, that we should focus on visibility instead of building something of our own.

But when I finally made a website for my band?
Our income TRIPLED that year.
No big marketing push. Just one clear, cozy little website that made us look and feel legit.

And now, as a website designer for small businesses and creative folks, I see it again and again:

A website isn’t just a marketing tool. It’s a confidence tool.
It makes what you’re doing feel real.
For your clients.
And for you.

In this post, we’re going to dig into:

Why I Thought We Didn’t Need a Website (Band Story!) → and how everything changed when we built one
The Real Reason a Website Matters → hint: it’s about clarity, not code
Do You Actually Need One Right Now? → a gut-check list to help you decide
How to Build a Site You Actually Love → no cringe, no fluff, just a page that feels like home
The Website Confidence Shift → how showing up online can help you show up everywhere

This is about building something that helps you feel ready, proud, and in-motion. Not later—now.

Let’s go. 💻✨

Story Time: A Hobbit Band Goes Digital

Let me tell you a story.

In addition to being a web designer, I also play in a band we call “Shire-ish folk” (yes- Shire, like Hobbits & Lord of the Rings!).

I started Holler & Crow in 2018. We had a decent following. Some people always came to our shows. We were getting gigs. It felt like we were doing okay. But I knew I wanted more for us! But every time I brought up the idea of making a website, someone would say:

“You don’t need a website. Just post on Facebook.”
“It’s a waste of time. People don’t even use websites anymore.”
“Just put some stuff up on Spotify.”

So we didn’t.

We relied on word of mouth, social media, and vibes. Until the year I decided to make a simple little band website — nothing fancy, just a place where people could find us, hear our music, and book us.

That next year?

Our income from the band TRIPLED.

I’m not exaggerating. We 3x’d our revenue by making a website.

We went from scraping around for one or two gigs a month to playing 60+ shows last year.

And you may be thinking - “I’ve never been to my favorite band’s website, what’s the point?” And that’s fair! I don’t think I have either, actually! But the point is - our website speaks not necessarily to our fans, but to the people who book us to play.

A great website doesn’t speak to everyone, it speaks to exactly the right people you need to reach in order to get to the next level.

We get people all the time who want to book us for their pub/party/wedding/Hobbit Day/whatever because they find us through Google! If it can work for a band as niche as people who dress up as Hobbits, I promise it can work for you!

Holler & Crow the band poses with instruments in a studio — The band themselves!

This cute photo is now proudly displayed on our website!

A Website Makes It Real

That moment stuck with me. And when I started my own business (the one I run now, helping other small businesses build beautiful, functional websites that sound like them), I thought back to that transformation constantly.

Because here’s the truth that no one says clearly enough:

Having a website is what makes it real.
Real to your potential clients/customers/whatever.
Real to yourself.

A website gives you a home for your story, your offers, your vibe, your weird.

It’s your favorite little corner of the internet.

And when it’s done right? It makes you feel legit. Capable. Ready.

It helps you build momentum and show up more confidently.

And THAT is the whole point!

Do You Need a Website?

Technically? No. You don’t need a website to start your business. I ran my band for 5 years without one!

But if you’re serious about sharing what you do, serving more people, and not burning out from constant one-on-one convos in your DMs?

You probably need a website.

You probably need one if:

You’re tired of repeating the same info over and over again in your DMs
You feel awkward sending people to your Instagram and saying “just scroll down”
You want to raise your prices or work with more aligned clients
You want to look credible for press, partnerships, speaking gigs, or grants
You want a space that’s yours, not just rented space on TikTok that could be taken away literally at any moment

You might not need one (yet) if:

You’re still figuring out your offers or audience
You’re early on and fully booked through referrals and don’t WANT any more business
You don’t have the energy, bandwidth, or capacity right now (this is valid, and temporary!)

✨ Still not sure? Take the Tiny Biz Website Quiz — I built it to give you clarity based on where your business actually is.

Attuned Psychotherapy was one of the first websites I built for a Tiny Business here at Lark About Design Co.

Sarah was transitioning into private practice and needed a way to show her clients (current & future) that she was open for business & serious about building her own therapy practice. A website helped make it real for her!

But Can’t I Just Use Instagram/Facebook/Youtube?

Yep. For a while. That’s how I started with my band, too.

You can do a lot with a strong bio, a willingness to constantly outreach, and a pinned post.

But eventually, you’ll hit a wall. You’ll start to feel boxed in by the limitations of platforms you don’t control. The app will crash. The algorithm will hide your posts. You’ll get shadowbanned or wiped off someone’s feed because you shared something real.

I really don’t mean to scare you, but I’m being real. It happens all the time - and all your hard work can be gone in an instant. 💔

And you may think you “own” your audience on a social media platform, but once they’re gone - they’re gone. Building sustainable, strong, anti-fragile and independent marketing strategies is crucial to success in our modern world.

A Website Builds Confidence - And Clarity!

The first time I saw my brand on a website — my real voice, my real story, my weird little vibe wrapped in beautiful fonts and honest copy — I teared up.

Because it was me.
It was all me.
And it looked professional.

It didn’t make me look bigger than I am. It made me look real. I’m not lying when I say my website is my favorite place on the internet.

Your website can do that for you too. That’s exactly what I want every business owner to feel like when they’re looking at their own corner of the internet.

And you don’t have to do it all at once!

Even just writing your “About” page forces you to articulate what matters most to you.

Even just building one landing page gives you a sense of ownership over your message.

Even just putting your photo on a homepage makes you feel like you're stepping into your role as a biz owner.

This stuff isn't just about marketing. It's about giving you the confidence you need to show up and market your business.

“But I Don’t Know What to Put on a Website”

Totally fair. Especially if you’re new in your business. You might be thinking:

“I’m not ready.”
“I don’t have a brand.”
“I’m not that kind of business.”
“I don’t want to come off as pushy, or like I have a huge ego about what I do.”
“I don’t know what my niche is yet.”

All valid. Here’s what I’ll say:

You don’t need to have it all figured out to make a website.

In fact, the act of making the website will often help you figure things out.

Start simple. Start true. Start with what you know right now.

You can always update it later - and done is always better than perfect.

Your Website Should Be Your Favorite Place on the Internet

It should feel like walking into your creative studio, your coaching room, your little shop.
It should reflect your voice, your values, your energy.

It’s not just about selling. It’s about sharing.

A good website helps people feel what it’s like to work with you.
It answers questions, builds trust, and clears up confusion.

It doesn’t have to be big. It doesn’t have to be fancy.
It just has to be yours.

Here’s What a Tiny Biz Website Can Look Like

Not a big corporate thing with ten pages of filler. Just a tight, intentional space that does what you need it to do.

Think:

A strong homepage that speaks to your people
An About page that tells your story (without making you cringe)
A Services or Work With Me page that’s crystal clear
A Contact form that works
A blog, portfolio, booking calendar, newsletter signup - these are things that work FOR YOU while you sleep. So your website is less like a shabby roadside billboard and more like the receptionist of your dreams!!

“What If I’m Not Ready to Hire Someone?”

That’s okay! You can:

Use a template (I love the templates on Squarespace these days!)
Start with one page - for real! It’s okay!! I, a professional web designer, hereby give you permission.
Write your copy with my DIY checklist (want it? Hop on my newsletter)
Grow over time

Done is better than perfect. One solid page is better than nothing, and can do SO MUCH for your business (like…. triple your revenue in one year, speaking from experience!)

A Website Also Saves Your Time + Energy

Here’s what a solid website can do for you:

✅ Handle FAQs
✅ Show off your best work
✅ Let people book without back-and-forth
✅ Pre-qualify your leads
✅ Help people understand your value before they even contact you
✅ Give you a URL you’re proud to share (and that helps you out in the mystical world of SEO)

In other words: it’s your assistant. Your storefront. Your hype-person.

While you nap.

If You’re Neurodivergent (Like Me), This Is Especially Helpful

If you live with executive dysfunction, brain fog, burnout, or time blindness... you don’t need one more thing to track.

You need a system that works when you can’t.

Your website can be that system. It can hold your offers, boundaries, pricing, processes, and contact links — so you don’t have to repeat yourself every time someone reaches out.

And it can build momentum for you, even on low-energy days.

TL;DR — Should You Get a Website?

If you:

Want to feel more confident in what you do
Want to stop repeating yourself
Want to attract better-fit clients
Want a space that feels like you (that’s resistant to ad-hoc algorithmic punishment!)
Want to grow with intention

…Then yes. A website is probably your next step.

It doesn’t have to be big.
It doesn’t have to be now.
But when the time is right, it’s worth it.

And it just might be the thing that unlocks your next level.

Your Website = Your Confidence Booster

When you see your story on a screen, shaped in your voice, paired with design that feels like home — everything shifts.

Suddenly, you’re not “just winging it.”

You’re a business owner. A creative. A guide. A real, legit, powerful human doing meaningful work.

And your website reflects that.

Want help getting started?
✨ Take the Tiny Biz Website Quiz
💌 Join the newsletter for small biz support, behind-the-scenes tips, and gentle encouragement

You don’t have to do it all at once. Just take the next small step.

You’ve got this.

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