Raising the Standard in Web Design (Not Gatekeeping, Just Truth) **
A lot of websites today are being built by importing a theme demo, swapping out the logo, changing a few colors, and calling it a finished build. And while that can get something online fast, it also leads to a lot of sites that look the same, feel the same, and unfortunately don’t do much to support the business behind them.
We can do better.
Real web design isn’t about decorating pages.
It’s about learning the business, understanding the audience, planning the structure, crafting the message, and building a website that reflects the brand instead of a template gallery.
There’s also the professional side of things:
If you’re providing design, development, hosting, or consulting services…
- Have your own website that shows your actual work
- Use a professional email on your business domain
- Present your offers clearly
- Share real examples of projects in production, not just theme demos
- Engage thoughtfully when applying for work (no “I can help” drive-by comments)
This isn’t about putting down people who are learning. Everyone starts somewhere. Templates are tools and they have their place.
But our industry grows stronger when we:
- Take pride in the craft
- Show our work professionally
- Communicate clearly
- Align our branding with what we sell
We need more designers, developers, and builders who treat this as a profession — not a quick side hustle.
That’s how we move the industry forward, together.