Web + Wins #4: It's National Small Business Week! 🎉
This Week's Update
I took a full week to work on my business instead of in it – and I needed it more than I realized. I've been juggling a lot lately, and have been long overdue for a reset.
It reminded me of something I loved about my seven years as a high school teacher – summer break (but not in the way you think). Yes, most people see it as having months off from work, but I always took a second job during the summer to make ends meet. I also used the summers to slow down and zoom out. They weren't just time off, they were a chance to reflect on what worked, what didn't, and come back with a fresh plan. I called it recharge, reflect, reset. That cycle of doing, pausing, and resetting is something I’m bringing into running Snaply. You can't keep showing up at your best if you never come up for air.
If you've been heads-down lately, same. The grind has been hard. Maybe this is your nudge to carve out even a day to zoom out and ask: is what I'm doing actually working?
Get a Web Win: Don't Let DIY Cost You
I've looked at a lot of websites over the years. And it's easy to tell which ones are DIY – yes, even the AI-generated ones.
DIY websites make a lot of sense early on. Scrappy, fast, gets you online. I get it. But over time, what saved you money upfront can quietly start working against you, and most business owners don't even realize it's happening.
Here's what I see most often:
The look gives it away. Spacing that's slightly off, mismatched fonts, an image that doesn't quite fit the vibe, logos with white boxes around them instead of transparent backgrounds, a section that was clearly added later and never really belonged. No single thing is terrible – but the small inconsistencies stack up, and visitors feel them even if they can't name them.
Pages get added without a plan. A new section here, a banner from a promotion two years ago there. Nobody steps back and asks: what is this site actually trying to do? The result feels cluttered and hard to follow – not because the owner didn't care, but because it was built in layers with no intention holding it together.
Creator bias is real. You built it, you're proud of it – which makes it hard to see what a stranger actually experiences when they land on it. (😅 if you’re ready for some real feedback, I’m here!)
And beyond the look: no clear path for visitors to follow, messaging that's too broad, SEO that was never touched. So even when traffic shows up, it leaves without doing anything.
The difference between a website that exists and one that works is intention. If your site feels "fine" but isn't really doing anything for your business — this is your sign. I'm happy to be that second set of eyes, let’s talk.
And if you know a business owner who needs to hear this? Pass it along. 📨
Coffee Convos: It's National Small Business Week! 🎉
Check your local SBA or entrepreneurial community for events in honor of Small Business Week – it's a great time to expand your network and pick up something new. And don't sleep on the marketing opportunity either. Two years ago, I landed a new client by posting on Facebook in a local community group for Small Business Week. Might have to run that back and see what happens.
Let's Talk
I’m setting a goal for 30 coffee chats in May (virtual or in-person!). Whether you’re a business owner looking to expand your network or want a fresh pair of eyes on your website, let’s talk!
Dana
Founder @ Snaply Sites
