Blank Page to Beautiful Site: Overcoming Website Procrastination
“I think all the answers [on creating a website] are available but I can't get past my own procrastination..."
- Survey Respondent
Does this sound familiar? You know you need a website. You might even know what you want it to look like. But somehow, days turn into weeks, weeks turn into months, and that website remains firmly in the "someday" category of your to-do list.
You're not alone. In a recent survey to our email community, website procrastination emerged as a common theme among therapists, coaches, and small business owners. In this post, I’m going to share some practical strategies to help you move from a blank page to a beautiful site.
Understanding the Root of Website Procrastination
Procrastination is rarely just about poor time management or laziness (even though our inner critic might tell us otherwise). More often, it's a symptom of something deeper.
Procrastination is often a symptom of something else. If you find yourself putting off building a website again and again, it might be time to explore what's really going on. Consider journaling or talking with a therapist or loved one about what's underneath your hesitation.
Ask yourself:
What am I gaining by procrastinating?
What part of me is protected by procrastination?
What does this part need in order to feel safe to take a step forward?
As a former IFS (Internal Family Systems) therapist, I've seen how often procrastination serves as protection against fear. Whether it’s fear of failure, fear of success, fear of visibility, or fear of imperfection. By acknowledging these protective parts of yourself with compassion, you can begin to address their concerns while still moving forward.
Embracing "Good Enough" Over Perfect
One of the biggest roadblocks to building a website is perfectionism. The desire to launch with the perfect site often leads to launching no site at all.
Done is better than perfect. When therapists and coaches ask me, "When should I have my own website?" I say "Immediately." Even if you don't plan on sharing your website widely at first, buy a custom domain and set up a simple website to start building domain authority.
This approach offers two significant benefits:
You begin establishing an online presence and domain authority with search engines like Google, giving you a head start when you're ready to promote your practice more widely.
You overcome the psychological barrier of starting, which is often the hardest part.
Remember: Your website is a living document, not a carved stone tablet. You can (and should) continue to refine it as your business evolves.
Your Step-by-Step Website Roadmap
Often, looking at the entire task keeps us stuck in overwhelm because it seems too big to conquer all at once—and it often is. Breaking any big task into smaller steps is smart, but knowing the order in which to do these tasks can be just as challenging.
Here's the order of operations I suggest for anyone who doesn't yet have a website:
1. Name your business
This foundational step sets the tone for everything that follows. Your business name will influence your domain name, logo, and overall brand identity. Don't let this step become its own procrastination point—choose something that feels right, knowing you can always make adjustments to your brand messaging later.
Already have a name for your business? Check! Let that little dopamine hit fuel you to step 2.
2. Define your services and audience
Being clear about who you serve and how you help them is essential before designing your online home. This upfront work will make every subsequent decision easier and more focused.
→ Need help with this step? Our Brand Clarity Questionnaire Bundle guides you through defining your unique value proposition and ideal clients.
3. Get professional photos taken
I find that seeing professional photos of yourself and your workspace makes your business feel more real and provides a profound confidence boost. Getting professional photos taken early in the process can help combat procrastination and overwhelm by making your business vision tangible.
→ Not sure what photos you need? Check out our guide: 5 Types of Photos You Need on Your Therapy Website
4. Choose a website platform and start a simple website
We love Squarespace for its user-friendly interface and professional design tools. Starting with a template can provide structure while allowing for customization to match your brand.
→ Find out why we recommend Squarespace for therapists and coaches: Why Use Squarespace for Your Therapy Website
→ Ready to get started? Shop our Premium Squarespace templates designed specifically for therapists and coaches.
5. Write your copy
While it's tempting to dive straight into design, I find it easier to figure out what you want to say first, and then design around it. This approach prevents spending hours adjusting design elements only to change them later to accommodate your content.
→ Need help crafting compelling website copy? Our copywriting templates provide frameworks specifically designed for wellness professionals.
→ Using a website template like our premium Squarespace templates can make copywriting more intuitive because the page design provides guidance on what type of content works best in each section.
6. Add your copy to your site
Once your copy is written, add it to your site. I recommend keeping a record of your content outside your website builder (like in a Google Doc) for safekeeping and easy reference when making future updates.
Pro Tip: Don't forget to clearly tell visitors how to book with you! This might seem obvious, but it's a surprisingly common oversight.
7. Add your photos to your site
Now it's time for those professional photos to do their thing! Add plenty of custom images to give your site a personalized look and feel that resonates with your ideal clients.
8. Adjust fonts & colors
With your content and images in place, fine-tune your visual elements to create a cohesive look. Your colors and fonts should complement your photos and reinforce your brand identity.
9. Purchase a custom domain
We always recommend purchasing your own custom domain to ensure your website truly belongs to you. Beware of "free" domains—they invariably come with hidden costs like lack of ownership or unprofessional suffixes.
10. Pay your hosting fees and launch your website!
This big moment could bring up a new wave of fear and procrastination. Just remember: even if your site isn't "perfect" (hint: it never will be, and that's okay), launching allows you to start connecting with potential clients and refining based on real-world feedback.
You can always go back and change things. Launch what you have and let your website evolve alongside your business.
The Liberation of Simply Starting
The journey from procrastination to website launch is powerful. As one of our survey respondents shared:
"Thanks Monica for all you share. As you said in your email, it's been a crazy year but 12 months ago I didn't have a website and now I do, with a second close to launched. Dreams are coming true."
This transformation is possible for you too. By understanding the roots of your procrastination, embracing "good enough" over perfect, and taking one step at a time, you can move from blank page to beautiful, functional website.
The most important step? The first one. Start today, even if it's just completing one small task from the roadmap above. Your future clients are waiting to find you online.
Need more personalized support with your website? Contact us to learn about our services or browse our templates and resources designed specifically for therapists, coaches, and wellness professionals.
