3 common misconceptions about professional brand & website design

If you’re a business owner, chances are you’ve hired or considered hiring experts in the journey to grow your business. In my 5 years as a business owner, I’ve personally worked with a brand photographer, a business coach and an accountant.

Naturally, I’ve had some preconceived ideas before working with every one of those experts. For instance, I was convinced that I needed to know how to pose like a supermodel before working with a photographer. Spoiler alert — you don’t, because part of their expertise is guiding you through it!

And here’s the thing: had I listened to and believed those ideas, I may not have hired the support I needed which has been so key in helping me grow my business.

As a designer, I often come across similar beliefs amongst entrepreneurs when it comes to working with a professional brand & web designer like myself. So let me shed some light on some common misconceptions. Let’s dive in!

1. "I need to have a clear vision for my brand & website before hiring a designer"


Think you need to have everything figured out before hiring a brand & website designer? Let me reassure you, this is not the case! It’s completely normal for your vision to still be taking shape, and that’s perfectly okay.

As a designer, my role is to guide you through the process, asking the right questions and gathering insights to truly grasp what you envision so we can bring it to life simply and strategically on your website.

Many of my clients don’t have all the answers at the start of a project but it's through our work together that they come out with greater clarity about their brand's direction.

For instance, my client Anca, a Kinesiology Practitioner, mentioned how she went from being unsure about how her website should look to having a website that truly represents her work and personality. This transformation is the essence of a thoughtfully crafted design process!

2.  "I need to have all of my copy and visuals ready in advance"

It's a common assumption that you must have all your content and visuals ready before the design process begins. This belief holds back so many entrepreneurs from pursuing brand and website design, fearing they're unprepared. However, as a designer, guiding you through this preparatory phase is part of my role.

Yes, having some materials ready can be helpful, but it's not a prerequisite. That’s something I love supporting my clients around, by coaching them on how to write their web copy and refine their messaging, and selecting visuals that resonate with their brand.

For instance, my client Priscilla, an Executive Coach, didn’t have all of her copy or assets ready before starting her project. We worked together to refine her messaging and curate a selection of stock photography that would complement her brand.

3. "The process will be time-consuming and complex"

The idea that the design process is overwhelmingly time-consuming and complex is another misconception. As a business owner, time is a precious commodity so the last thing you need is a cumbersome process.

But here's the thing — it doesn't have to be! Personally, I pride myself on providing a streamlined experience to clients, breaking the process into manageable phases and providing clear guidance at each step. My clients are always surprised about how smooth and hassle-free the process really is, from our initial kick-off call to the final website delivery.

The bottom line

Understanding these misconceptions is crucial in realising the value a professional web designer can bring to your business. Don't let these fears hold you back from pursuing brand & website design. And really — the goal is to simplify — not complicate! – your path to a compelling online presence. The sooner you get started, the sooner you'll see results from your website.

If you’re considering elevating your brand and website but unsure where to start, I’d love to invite you to book a complimentary consultation with me.

During this 30-minute consultation, we’ll review your existing online presence and I’ll give you personalised feedback and recommendations on how to increase your engagement and conversions so you can get bigger business results from your web presence.

Book your complimentary consultation