Part 1: Strategy, Simplicity, and Starting Where You Are
Last week, I wrapped up a 10-video series called Back to Website School - a project that looked at what it really means to have a website in 2025.
We talked about everything from how AI is changing how we think about content, to choosing a website platform you actually want to maintain, to e-commerce usability, core content, and website policies.
That brought my YouTube total to 30 videos in the last 6 months.
Which means: 30 times hitting record, 30 times starting over halfway through, 30 times wondering if my lighting was weird or if my mic had stopped working.
Thirty times editing in the margins of other projects.
Thirty times publishing imperfectly.
And somewhere in all of that, I realized something:
I wasn’t just learning how to make videos.
I was learning how to think differently about websites.
There’s a surprising amount of overlap. A lot of the same things that made my videos better also made me think differently about how to design, structure, and use a website.
So I decided to write down what I’ve learned. Not from a perfect process, but from actually doing the thing.
Here are the first three lessons.
1. Know why you're making videos (or building a website)
One of the biggest shifts for me came when I got clear on why I was making videos in the first place.
YouTube can serve a lot of different purposes.
You might want to:
- build an audience and monetize your channel through views and ads
- go viral, grow fast, and focus on broader exposure
- speak directly to your specific clients or customers, even if you're only getting a few views
What I’ve realized is: you don’t need a big audience for your videos to be helpful or effective.
You can create videos specifically for your niche audience by answering the questions they have, showing up as yourself, and building trust.
And that can lead to real business growth, even without viral numbers or thousands of subscribers.
And I think the same is absolutely true for websites.
People often want to know the “right” platform or the “best” structure, but the answer always starts with the same question:
What do you want this website to do for you?
Are you selling products? Attracting clients? Teaching something? Sharing a portfolio? Promoting a podcast?
Your answer to that will shape:
- which platform fits you best
- how many pages you really need
- what tools or integrations to prioritize
- even how your homepage should be written
That clarity of knowing what you’re aiming for - affects everything from titles and thumbnails in video to email opt-ins and navigation on your site.
2. Simple (Usually) Wins
There’s a lot of pressure to do things the polished, high-production way. Especially online.
But for most of us, especially in the beginning, simpler is better.
When I started creating videos, I didn’t have a fancy setup. *Ahem* I still don't...
I used a couple of inexpensive lamps, stood in a specific spot to avoid weird shadows, turned off my overhead light, and made sure my audio was decent.
And I still use that same setup.
For audio, I’ve been using these Philips Bluetooth Neckband Headphones (no affiliate link, just love these.)
I had someone who used to professionally review documentaries tell me my sound was good. That meant a lot. No expensive mic. Just a $50 headset that worked. And still does.
The same principle applies to websites.
You don’t need every plugin, integration, or feature. You don’t need the most customizable template, or to pay for the biggest plan just because it promises more.
You can start with the simplest version of your online system that actually works for your business.
If you don’t need a bunch of apps, don’t add them. If you don’t need a complex design or advanced animations, skip them.
Focus on clear design, simple user flows, and tools you’ll actually use.
That said, here’s an important caveat:
If you already know you’ll need certain features down the road -and you have the time, budget, and energy to go ahead and build on a platform that includes them - that’s absolutely a valid choice.
But if you’re feeling stuck trying to choose the “perfect” long-term solution, just know it’s okay to start where you are and evolve over time.
In fact, that might serve you better than trying to build a future-proof system before you’ve even figured out what works.
3. Start With What You Have
This sounds simple, but it’s a big one.
It’s so easy to feel like you can’t start until you have better equipment, a more polished idea, or a clearer plan. I’ve felt that way many times.
But what I’ve found - both with video and websites - is that progress really does start when you start doing the thing.
You can create something good enough to be helpful with what you already have.
And good enough really can be enough, especially when it comes with clarity and heart.
**A side note - good enough does not have to mean sloppy. Meticulous and perfect are not the same thing. "Good enough" is about emotional acceptance, not quality or lack thereof**
People aren’t waiting for your perfection. They’re looking for your voice, your ideas, your support, your product.
Websites are similar in this way.
If your platform feels too complicated to update, or you’re overwhelmed trying to get all the moving parts just right, it’s okay to simplify.
Build a site that works for you now. Make sure people can find you. Make it easy to contact you or buy from you.
You can always expand or move to a more robust platform later. That flexibility can be your friend, especially in a time where tools and tech are changing so quickly.
Coming Up in Part 2:
Next time, I’ll share:
- why I don't script my videos word-for-word
- what being more specific taught me about both video and website copy
- and how I’m learning to tell stories that make a point without getting lost in the weeds
In Case You Missed It:
The Back to Website School series dives into a lot of these themes (plus the practical stuff like platform choice, core content, and site navigation).
You can watch the full series here:
Back to Website School - YouTube Playlist
