Let’s clear something up: when you're starting a business, you don’t need to worry about things like websites, logos, and color schemes right out of the gate. It might feel like those are the “official” steps to becoming a business owner, but they’re actually the least important at the beginning.

Your clients don’t care if your fonts are perfectly matched or if your website is a masterpiece. What they care about is whether you can solve their problems. Focus first on the essentials:

1. Identify your ideal client.
2. Speak directly to their pain points.
3. Offer a solution that addresses those pain points.

Once you’ve done this and proven that people are willing to pay for what you offer, then you can move on to the details that make your business feel more “official.” Here’s how to handle some of the key aspects — but only after you’ve validated your business idea.

Set Up a Simple Website – Make It Easy, Not Perfect

A website doesn’t need to be complicated. It’s just a place for people to find you and learn what you’re about. Start simple. Unless you're skilled in coding, platforms like WordPress might be more hassle than they’re worth.

You don’t want to spend hours (or money) tweaking your website when you could be connecting with clients or working on your business. I started with WordPress as my first website, but every small change required a developer's help — not practical and it got expensive. Now, I use Wix, which was designed by a website designer and allows for customisation as well as a new community (member) area and it is easy enough to make updates anytime once it has been set up. If I were starting over today, I’d probably go even simpler with just a landing page using ConvertKit.

• Choose a Simple Platform: Use tools like Kajabi, Squarespace, or ConvertKit that offer easy drag-and-drop editing.
• Focus on Functionality, Not Fluff: Include only the essentials — who you are, what you offer, and how to contact you.
• Add Testimonials as You Go: Start with basic content and add client testimonials or case studies as you gather them.

Pro Tip: Have a folder where you add all your testimonials as they will become very handy for your business! Include conversations, emails as well as formal testimonials.

Design on a Budget – Keep It Simple with Canva

You don’t need to be a designer or hire one to have good-looking branding. For all my design needs, I use Canva. It’s user-friendly, comes with countless templates, and offers fonts and color palettes that naturally work well together.

Professional design can help you look credible, but it doesn’t need to be complicated or expensive. Canva’s Pro version is just $12 a month, but there’s also a free version if you’re just starting out.

• Use Templates: Start with pre-made templates that match your brand’s vibe.
• Create a Consistent Look: Choose a color palette and font combination and stick with it across all your content.
• Keep It Simple: Focus on clarity and readability, not on being fancy. Clean and straightforward always wins.

We cover this in an implementation workshop in the PowerUP Your Transition to Business Program.