Not Sure What You Need? Ask Yourself These 21 Questions Before You Invest in Branding or a Website
You know something’s off.
Your brand feels DIY.
Your website feels… tired.
Your photos don’t match your level.
Your messaging is a little everywhere.
And you’re at that stage where you’re finally ready to invest — you just have no idea what to invest in first.
Welcome to the most common place every business owner ends up.
At MWD, we hear this every single week:
“I know I need help… I just don’t know where to start.”
So instead of guessing, panicking, or throwing money at the wrong thing, here’s the simplest way to figure out exactly what you need next — whether that’s branding, a one-page site, a semi-custom template, a full custom website, or a Design Day.
Ask yourself these questions.
Be brutally honest.
Your answers will make the next step obvious.
Section 1: Your Current Website (Be Honest!)
If you’re already on Squarespace (or think you are), start here:
How did your website come to be? (DIY? Template? Hired someone?)
What parts of your site still feel good? (Even small things count.)
What parts feel… wrong?
Design
Layout
Branding
Photos
Copy
User experience
Clarity
All of the above
Does your website match the quality and professionalism of your services?
Has any professional ever touched your website, or is it all DIY?
If you answered “DIY” and “no, not really” to most of these — you already know where this is headed.
Section 2: Your Brand (The Foundation of Everything)
Your brand is either working for you or working against you. There’s no in-between.
Do you actually have a brand or do you have colours and fonts you grabbed because they were pretty?
Did you DIY your current logos?
Have you gone through custom branding before, or is everything template-based?
Does your current visual identity match the level you’re working at?
Does your brand feel:
polished
outdated
inconsistent
not “you” anymore
okay, but not elevated
chaotic and DIY?
If your visuals don’t match your value — nothing else will.
Section 3: Your Photos & Copy (The Underrated Problem Areas)
Most people think their website is broken… when really, their photos and messaging are.
Do you have current brand photography that reflects your actual audience and offerings?
Who wrote your website copy?
You
A friend
AI
A professional
Does your copy sound like:
your true voice
generic filler
confusing instructions
too short / too long
not aligned with what you sell?
If your visuals and words don’t communicate your value, your website won’t convert — regardless of design.
Section 4: Your Business Goals (This Determines Everything)
Your investment path changes depending on your stage.
Where are you right now?
just starting
growing
established but ready to elevate
What’s your biggest priority?
more clients
more credibility
a stronger brand
better consistency
preparing for growth
Are your services staying the same over the next year?
If you’re shifting directions or elevating — DIY assets won’t keep up.
Section 5: Your Working Style (This Filters You Fast)
This is where we separate Design Days from full projects.
Are you someone who prefers a fast, focused, “get it done in a day” experience?
Or do you want a bigger, collaborative project with custom strategy and bespoke design?
Do you want to refresh what you have or rebuild something better?
What matters most to you?
speed
quality
strategic thinking
long-term transformation
done-for-you support
high creative involvement
Your working style is often the biggest indicator of the right service.
Section 6: Your Investment Comfort (Let’s Be Real)
What investment range feels aligned for this next step?
This isn’t about pushing you into anything — it’s about keeping recommendations realistic.
So… What Do Your Answers Mean? Here’s the Cheat Sheet
If your brand is DIY or inconsistent → You need branding first.
(Brand Kit if you’re new, Custom Branding if you’re growing.)
If your website layout is messy, template-y, or outdated → You need a new site.
(1-Page, Semi-Custom, or Custom — depending on size + goals.)
If your brand is fine but your site feels stale → You may qualify for a Design Day.
BUT ONLY IF:
you’re already on Squarespace
your site has good bones
you need refinements, not a full rebuild
If everything is broken (photos, brand, copy, layout) → You need the full rebuild.
Brand → Photos → Website → Copy
If you’re brand-new and overwhelmed → Brand Kit + 1-Page Site
Simple. Clean. Professional. No DIY disaster energy.
Still Don’t Know What You Need? That’s Exactly What We’re Here For.
Most business owners aren’t supposed to know the difference between a refresh, a rebrand, and a full custom website project — that’s our job.
Instead of trying to diagnose yourself, let’s talk through it together.
Book a call and we’ll walk you through the right pathway based on:
where your business is today
what your goals are
what’s actually holding you back
what to invest in now
and what can wait
No pressure.
No upselling.
Just clarity — and a plan that won’t waste your time or money.
Ready when you are.
Let's figure this out together.
