Is It Time for a Website / Brand Refresh?
The new year is here, and with it comes the perfect opportunity to take stock of your business. Your website is often the first or second impression your clients get of your brand — so it’s always important to ask yourself, does it truly reflect the biz you’re so fiercely passionate about? If not, it might be time for a website refresh.
Let’s be so for real for a second : We’ve all fallen victim to shiny object syndrome.
Those trendy design ideas, must-have tools, or quick-fix solutions that promise to elevate your business overnight. But here’s the thing – what works for someone else might not work for you. A true refresh is about cutting through the noise, getting honest about what’s helping (or hurting) your business and taking intentional steps to power your brand forward.
Simply put: having a pretty website is not enough, my friend. It’s about strategy, clarity, and creating an experience that captivates and leaves your leads drooling for more. Web design for creatives can make all the difference in standing out and converting leads into dream clients.
So let’s dive into the roadblocks that might be holding you back and triggering that something-needs-to-change response – and it will vary depending on the stage of biz you’re in. Then, we’ll chat about all the juicy ways you can refresh your website or brand depending on exactly what you need (no b.s. or fluff here, promise).
Signs You Need a Website Refresh: The Roadblocks Stalling Your Success
- Your website feels outdated: Your site might have been the bomb a few years ago, but you’ve pivoted, made changes or are targeting a different audience than before. Things are guaranteed to change over time, how much will determine what stage of refresh you need.
- Your website is not converting visitors into clients: You’ll hear me say it a thousand times, but PRETTY IS NOT ENOUGH. If your site isn’t making people click “Hell Yes, Sign Me Up!” something needs to change. You deserve raving fans – people who come to you and instantly feel connected and PUMPED to work with you.
- You’re uninspired by your online presence: It’s a noisy jungle out there, and if you don’t feel wildly passionate about how you show up, it’s gonna kill your confidence and creativity fast. You know it’s time to enter your powerhouse brand era, but just don’t know how to get there. (Keep reading, we got you!)
If you’re not WILDLY PROUD of the way your business is being represented online, you’re doing yourself a disservice.
Let’s Break Through Those Barriers, Friend
It’s Time To Get Serious On What Stage Of “I need a refresh” you’re in…
This website refresh guide is broken up into solutions for every stage of your business. Whether you’re just starting out, in the growth/pivot phase or actively building your biz empire, we’re here to help you create a brand and website that makes an impact and feels f’ing right.
STAGE ONE: You’re Just Starting To Think About A Refresh
(and we honestly recommend everyone starting here if you’re feeling the refresh itch)
At this stage, you know something’s not quite right. But you also don’t know if you’re just chasing that shiny object syndrome or what everyone else is doing. You just want to give your brand and website a little love, but you’re not sure where to start.
Other Cravings You Might Be Having During This Stage:
- Feeling stuck and unsure if your online presence is working for or against you. (Less a craving, more like a fear)
- Looking for an easy, no-pressure way to identify what’s missing and where you can improve.
- Ready to take small but impactful steps to refine your brand and website.
The Solution: Time For A Good Ole Gut Check
Take some time to reflect and recharge. Step away, change your scenery, find inspo, remember why you started, and TRUST YOUR GUT. Make the changes, take the chances and keep doing the damn thing, my friend!
If you’re seeking clarity and actionable insights to help you identify the gaps and figure out what’s next, our free Brand & Web Checklist is a great place to start! Because sometimes, all you need is a little direction to get moving.
Brand & Website Audit Checklist For an aligned & conversion led website
Download our comprehensive do it yourself brand and website audit checklist to evaluate how your brand and website are performing – as is. Not only do I breakdown 9 areas of focus, but I also give you actionable items for each focus area so that you can start making moves and optimizing your brand & website and be one step closer to brand consistency!
something dope is coming your way!
Check your email inbox to access your resource! Enjoy!
Hungry for more FREE biz / web refresh resources?
STAGE TWO: You’re Over Your Super Basic, Just-Threw-This-Together Website
(or you don’t have a website at all – IG is great but it’s not forever, ya know?)
You’re at the point where you got the vision, but you’re working with limited resources— be it time, money, or both. At this stage, you’re ready to upgrade from basic DIY or mediocre templates to something more purposeful and looks damn good. You want a website that reflects your business’s potential and gives you room to grow, but you’re not quite ready to go full steam ahead with a semi-custom or custom experience.
Other Cravings You May Be Having During This Stage:
- You want a website that feels like you (& the templates you’ve used are making you feel boxed in and hella basic).
- You’re looking for a professional, strategic website that fits your budget.
- You’d kill for a foundation that feels aligned with your brand and gives you room to take up space in your industry.
- You want the tools and resources to make DIY-ing easier—and actually inspire you to finish the damn thing!
The Solution: DIY Website Templates
Buying a template when you’re first starting out is a great launching pad for growing a kick ass presence online. The number one rule of showing up online is SIMPLY SHOWING UP. If you don’t get that website out there at all because you’re waiting for “perfect,” no one will get to see or know who you are.
If you’ve dipped your toes into DIY solutions, but those basic templates from “one-size-fits-all” shops just aren’t cutting it? We got you, friend.
The ANYTHING-BUT-BASIC Lenya Creative Showit Templates are coming soon!
We are STOKED about our signature Lenya Creative templates! Each one is designed to give you the tools to create a stunning and functional website that works as hard as you do (which means your incomplete website will **finally** stop haunting you 24/7).
Hungry for more template resources?
- Sneak a peek at our Be Bold Template, and get ready to never settle for basic again. Join the Pride and stay tuned for the launch!
- Don’t doom yourself to a miserable DIY experience — here are the top 4 Mistakes To Avoid When Designing Your Own Website From Scratch Or From A Purchased Template
STAGE THREE: You’ve Been in Biz For A While Now & Are Ready To Invest In A Semi-Custom Website Experience
You’ve built the foundation, your business is growing, but something still feels… off. At this stage, you’re craving a website that truly reflects the next level of your brand – a site that feels as personality-packed, purposeful and powerful as you are. You might have started with a DIY template or a quick fix, but now you’re realizing that it won’t get you to the powerhouse status you’re building.
This is where you’ll want to start scoping out website designer’s portfolios **insert not-so-shameless plug to our portfolio** and find a designer that’s gonna embody everything you’re dreaming up.
Other Cravings You May Be Having During This Stage:
- You’re drooling over certain designers and are dying to have their expertise to elevate your online presence.
- You’d LOVE a quick turnaround without compromising quality or strategy.
- You’re ready for a semi-custom design that captures your bold personality and unstoppable brand vision.
The Solution: Semi Custom Website in a Week Design Services
If you’ve been around the Pride for a while, you know how passionate I get about semi-custom vs. custom design. I get verrryyy fiery about ensuring my clients know exactly which experience they’re getting. But that’s a whole other tangent that I dove into here.
I recommend a website-in-a-week experience at this stage because you’re not quite ready for a complete brand overhaul or the investment that comes with a fully custom design. Still, you need something to inspire you and move you forward — an experience faster than the typical 6 to 8-week timeline. At Lenya Creative, we call this our Lion Sprint — a semi-custom solution that feelspretty freakin’ custom because of how impactful and personality-packed it is. If you need something more affordable to get you out of the DIY/basic rut and make you feel CONFIDENT AF, then a Sprint could make all the difference.
A Website Refresh Example OUT IN THE WILD
Sarah from Sarah Kellie Photography was craving exactly this when she came to me. She was a wedding photographer who couldn’t afford to wait around 6-8 weeks for another website refresh. She needed a fix and she needed it FAST.
So she went for The Lion Sprint Package and never looked back.
“As someone who has been burned by multiple designers, I am thrilled I have found a designer I can trust and will be going to for projects in the future, no questions asked. Know you are getting a true experience with someone who is trustworthy and understands your time and resources dedicated to building your new brand and website is valuable.”
– Sarah Kellie
Ravenous for your own website refresh in a week?
- Get ready to level the F up and get in touch about your own Lion Sprint!
- Want a deep dive on what a sprint with Lenya Creative like? Get the full breakdown in our Feed The Beast podcast.
Stage Four: You’re Ready To Build A Powerhouse Brand From The Ground Up
This is the stage where you’re ready to leave your mark. After years of running your business, you’ve outgrown the piecemeal approach to branding and web design. Your current site might have gotten you this far (and there may be elements you still love), but it no longer represents the powerhouse you’ve become – or the clients you want to attract. At this stage, it’s not just about looking good. It’s about creating an unforgettable brand that embodies every facet of who you are and leaves a lasting impression.
Other Cravings You May Be Having During This Stage:
- Wanting to go through a refresh that reignites your passion for your biz.
- Ready to invest in a fully custom, strategic brand & web design.
- To show up as the bold, unapologetic version of your business — kick-ass quirks and all.
- A brand and website that does more than “get the job done” — you want it to resonate with your audience and make them obsessed with working with you.
The Solution: Fully Custom Website & Branding
There comes a point in your biz when you want to power the f up – and as a brand and web designer for powerhouse hands, I AM HERE FOR IT! I recommend a fully custom experience to clients in this stage because they’re DONE holding back to their fullest potential. They want it all: personality, purpose and powerful strategies to back them up EVERY. SINGLE. DAY.
There’s no sugar-coating it, this stage is an investment both in time and money, but I’ll keep saying it: IT’S POWERFUL. But that means you need to research your heart out to find a brand and web designer who gets you and is just as passionate and committed as you are. Again, portfolios are going to be your guide here.
A Brand & Website Refresh OUT IN THE WILD
Madison is the perfect example of this stage. She was tired of seeing the same thing from everyone in the wedding industry, and she DID NOT want to be boxed in by what everyone else was doing. Though she had previously invested in a brand and website design, she still didn’t feel like it accurately showcased her iconic (IMO) personality.
She wanted a brand she was DAMN PROUD of, and the Fierce Roar Package delivered.
“Confidence is the biggest thing I gained since finishing my project with Lenya Creative! I’m actually excited to send people to my website now and excited to double down on my marketing because I feel like I actually have a website and brand that’s exactly what I want the world to see! And because of that I’ve seen a definite increase in inquiries and bookings from ideal clients – exactly what I was hoping to get out of this project! In a matter of a few months I’ve booked 6 weddings that are EXACTLY what I want to be shooting more of and even booked an elopement in PARIS! The couple said that they couldn’t imagine any other photographer being there to capture their elopement abroad and that’s solely due to my new badass branding!”
– Madison Raney
Ravenous for your own fully custom brand and website refresh?
- Get the deets on our Fierce Roar Package & get ready to create a one-of-a-kind, badass brand!
TO WRAP IT UP
A website refresh isn’t a one-size-fits-all situation – it’s about meeting you where you are and taking intentional steps toward a brand and website that truly works for you. Whether you’re exploring your options with a free gut check checklist, looking to build a bold foundation with a DIY website template, or diving into a custom design experience, you deserve solutions that will power you forward.
The key? Start somewhere. Every step forward gets you closer to a website that doesn’t just exist but elevates your business.
At Lenya Creative, we’re all about getting you from uncertain to unstoppable.
So let’s hop on a free coffee chat
**OR**
Sign up for a customized & action-packed $297 website audit!
