So You’re Starting a Business… What Comes First? (Hint: It’s Not Instagram)
You’ve got the idea.
You’ve got the passion.
You’ve got a name picked out (…probably).
Now you’re ready to show up on social media and start building that community. We love the energy. We love the excitement. We love a good social moment.
BUT. Before you dive headfirst into Reels, trending audio and Canva chaos, there are a few foundational steps you need locked in so all that visibility has somewhere to go.
Because if people discover you today and want to learn more…
Where are you sending them?
Your DMs? 🫠
Your personal Facebook page? 😬
Nowhere at all? 😅
If the answer isn’t crystal clear, this article is for you.
The First 3 Steps of Starting a Business (In This Exact Order)
Step 1 — Build Your Brand Foundation
Your brand isn’t just a logo.
It’s the strategy, visuals, and voice that tell people:
Who you are, what you do, and why they should trust you with their time, money and results.
Before you post a single Reel, make sure you can show up:
✔ Professionally
✔ Cohesively
✔ Consistently
There are two great ways to do that with us, depending on where you’re at:
Option A: Brand Kits
Perfect if you’re newer to business but serious about doing this the right way. You get a polished identity with a logo suite, cohesive colours and typography — a massive upgrade from DIY, without the custom price tag. Check them out here!
Option B: Custom Branding
For the business that’s ready to scale and knows they need deeper brand strategy, conversion-focused messaging and a full identity ecosystem that supports premium growth. Learn more here.
And then… photography 📸
This doesn’t need to be a huge production or full studio day.
But you do need a handful of strong images that visually communicate your personality and professionalism.
Think:
A few clean headshots
Lifestyle or workspace photos
Product or service context shots
Detail shots for social + website graphics
Photos paired with strategic branding is where the magic happens.
It’s what takes you from “Is this legit?” to “Okay, I trust them.”
Because if your visuals don’t align with the level of service you offer?
People feel the disconnect before they ever read a caption.
Branding gives you recognition.
Photography gives you credibility.
Together, they give you momentum.
And yes, of course we offer this. With the best photographer in the biz!
Step 2 — Launch a Simple, Credible Website
Once your brand and photography are in place, you need a professional home base — a place for people to learn, trust, and take action.
Because if someone finds you on Instagram and wants to book, buy, or just confirm that you’re a real business…
No website = instant credibility loss.
No clear next step = missed sale.
And here’s the good news:
You don’t need a 7-page masterpiece on Day One.
There are two smart starting points:
Option A: A 1-Page Custom Website
Perfect for new businesses who want the full custom look without a full custom scope.
You get:
Strategic layout that leads people to action
Conversion-focused copywriting
Custom design that reflects your brand (not a generic template)
Mobile-friendly + SEO groundwork
It’s more than a link in bio — it’s a launchpad.
Learn more here.
Option B: Semi-Custom Website Templates
For the business owner who wants to hit the ground running with something beautiful, strategic and done by us — zero DIY required.
You get:
A professionally designed Squarespace template
Customized branding + design for your business
A streamlined launch timeline and investment
It’s the fastest way to go from “coming soon” to “now booking.”
Learn more here.
Step 3 — THEN Develop Your Social Content
Once your brand and website exist, NOW your social presence has:
✔ A cohesive look
✔ A clear message
✔ A conversion destination
This is where content starts to pay you back.
Your goals for the early social days:
Build awareness
Drive traffic to your website
Create trust through education, values, and storytelling
Invite people to take a next step
And with professional assets in place?
Your feed goes from DIY vibes to “wow they’ve got it together” — fast.
Repeat After Me: Social Media Is Not Step One
Social media is fuel. Not the engine.
You don’t build a house by picking out the throw pillows first.
You need the foundation (brand), then the structure (website).
Then you can decorate the heck out of it (social).
What This Looks Like for You
If you are just getting this business off the ground, the smartest move is to invest in the pieces that create credibility and clarity first.
Start here:
Branding — because you need to look like a real, trustworthy business before you start asking people to follow, like, or buy.
A simple, strategic website — so the moment someone is interested, they have a place to land and learn more.
Once those are done:
Then show up on social media consistently.
Then build your community.
Then drive people to the next step.
This approach protects your time and your energy because everything you put into marketing actually has somewhere to go. You’re not trying to convert leads inside a DM graveyard. You’re not hoping people magically “just get it” from your Instagram bio.
You’re building momentum on solid ground instead of sand.
Brand first.
Website second.
Social strategy third.
Clients follow.
Where My Wolf Design Comes In
We’re not a social media management agency.
What we do is help you get your business ready for its close-up.
Branding options for every stage
One-page + semi-custom websites designed to convert
Strategy that protects your time, energy, and momentum
So when you do start landing eyeballs on social…
You’re prepared to turn them into clients.
Ready to Build This Right the First Time?
Let’s talk about what you actually need (and what can wait).
Book your discovery call — we’ll help you start strong:
Final Thought
Showing up consistently is powerful.
But showing up strategically is what changes the game.
The foundation you build now determines the business you grow later.
Let’s build the good stuff.
