I still remember building my first website.
I was 13, sitting in a summer class at the local community college, learning basic HTML before CSS even existed. The internet was a very different place. Geocities, animated GIFs, under construction signs, and pages that played music the moment they loaded. My next site was a chaotic but colorful space, complete with bouncing icons and a calendar that showed my middle school schedule. I still love a good calendar.
That little site sparked something big. My first website introduced me to the idea that the internet was a place where you could share your ideas, shape how people experienced them, and build something entirely your own. That was the start of what eventually became my career in design and development.
Fast forward a couple of decades, and I have built sites for clients across industries. Nonprofits, musicians, artists, therapists, and small business owners who are taking that first step online. And no matter how much the web evolves, one lesson I learned from my first website has stayed with me.
A lot of first time business owners do not know where to begin when it comes to building their website. And that makes sense. There is a lot out there. Templates, platforms, color palettes, SEO, brand strategy. It is easy to get overwhelmed.
What I have found is that most people try to start with design. They want to pick a theme, play with fonts, and see something visual take shape. But here is the truth. Your website is not just about looking good. It is about saying the right thing to the right people in the right way.
That is something I began to understand while building my first website, even though I could not fully articulate it at the time. The message matters just as much as the design.
That is why I always recommend starting with content. Ask yourself:
- What do you offer?
- Who is it for?
- What problems are you helping to solve?
- What should someone do after landing on your site?
Even if you have not had your first client yet, you probably know what kind of person you are hoping to work with. You have likely had conversations about your business idea. That is your starting point. From there, you can begin to shape your website around your message, rather than trying to squeeze your message into a premade design.
How My First Website Influences the Way I Work With Clients Today
I do not build cookie cutter websites, because my first website taught me that every message needs its own structure. Some businesses need a homepage with detailed descriptions and FAQs. Others can succeed with a short headline, a call to action, and a few supporting sections. Forcing both into the same layout usually results in a site that feels either too cluttered or too empty. And that is not going to help anyone.
For example, Mailchimp offers a great guide on how to write website copy that speaks directly to your audience. It walks through how to structure your message, stay clear and concise, and write with your audience in mind. This is especially helpful when you are building your first website.
That is why content first works. You will avoid rework. You will make smarter design choices. And you will create a better experience for the people you are trying to reach.
If you are building your first website, I made something just for you.
It is called So You Want a Website?, a free guide that walks you through what you need to know before you hire a designer or dive into a DIY platform. It covers must have pages, common pitfalls, and how to plan a site that grows with your business.
Download the free guide here and take the first step toward a site that supports your goals from day one.
Building my first website changed everything for me. Building yours can do the same.
You have got this. And I have got your back.