Why Your Website Isn’t Working… and What to Do About It
Ever so often, I see a new post making the rounds.
Someone sharing their website horror story.
The designer “ghosted them”, the site “never worked”, they “got scammed” and now they’re warning the whole world not to fall for it.
But let’s pause right there.
Because while yes, there are some shady folks out here - some of what y’all are calling a scam is really just a case of not doing your homework and not wanting to spend the coin.
You chose the cheapest option.
You didn’t book the consult.
You didn’t budget for aftercare.
You didn’t ask the right questions. And now that the site isn’t doing what you thought it would, suddenly the whole profession is to blame?
Let’s not do that.
Let’s talk about the part nobody ever wants to say out loud:
🫖 You didn’t invest in the strategy, the maintenance, or the partnership.
You paid for a website - but not a relationship.
And it’s time we talk about why that matters.
Now before you clutch your pearls, I’m not here to shame you.
You don’t know what you don’t know and I’m here to tell the truth… and help you do better next time. Because launching your website is just the beginning. What comes after is what actually determines whether that investment pays off… or quietly collects digital dust. So let’s break it down.
1. You Wanted Pretty, Not Strategy
Let’s start with the part that stings a little. You didn’t want a partner - you just wanted a website, you just wanted to “buy” a website like it was a television off of Amazon. And that’s what you got.
You wanted it to “look good,” to “feel like your vibe,” to impress people when they landed on it. And listen, that’s valid. Design matters. But a website is not a commodity, it's a tool for your business.
But a good-looking website without strategy is just digital window dressing. It might grab attention, but it won’t hold it. It won’t convert. It won’t guide visitors toward the action you actually want them to take.
So when you skip the strategy, the consults, the periodic website reviews, audits and check-in calls, when there’s no deep dive into your offers, no clarity on your goals, no plan for content or calls to action… its like a car that is not getting its oil changed and routine maintenance.
And that’s not a scam.
That’s the result of hiring someone to decorate your house instead of help you build it.
Design without strategy is surface-level.
A strategic site, though? That’s the kind of thing that grows with your business.
2. You Ghosted the Partnership
Here’s another truth that might be uncomfortable:
You launched the site… and then disappeared.
No follow-ups.
No check-ins.
No strategy calls.
Just radio silence… and maybe a “I’ll update it myself” thrown in for good measure.
But here’s the thing: your website isn’t something you launch and leave. It’s a living part of your business.
Your business evolves, so your offers evolve. Services shift. Testimonials come in. Blogs need refreshing. And if none of that is being updated, your website stops reflecting the real-time VALUE of what you do.
Web designers aren’t mind readers. We’re also not responsible for chasing you down every quarter to ask if your business still sells the same thing from 3, 6 or 12 months ago. That’s on you.
The most successful clients I work with?
They stay in relationship with their website.
They ask questions. They book refresh sessions. They bring their service providers back to the table—not just when something’s broken, but when something’s growing.
You don’t need a full redesign every six months. But a check-in? A retainer? A one-hour consult every quarter? That alone could extend the shelf life and impact of your site for years.
3. You Skipped the Aftercare
Let’s be honest: you budgeted for the website, but you didn’t consider what upkeep would look like. You didn’t factor in routine maintenance, seasonal updates, SEO (search engine optimization) reviews, or anything that keeps your website working behind the scenes.
You wouldn’t buy a car and never change the oil.
You wouldn’t install AC and never clean the filters.
So why do business owners think it’s okay to drop thousands on a website… and never touch it again? I don’t know about you but I’d want to protect my investment.
I get it. Once the site goes live, it’s easy to move on. But that doesn’t mean your website doesn’t still need you. But as a web professional who genuinely cares about the clients I work with and the work I put into the world, consider this your word to the wise.
Your site needs maintenance. Not every day, not every week… but consistently. You get to decide what a consistent frequency looks like that is manageable for you. But never booking a website strategy consultation… NEVER? Not even at least once, we’ve got to do better than that? Sure, we can. I believe you can.
It needs love, attention, and check-ins to make sure it’s still aligned with your brand, your goals, your audience, and your business model.
Because here’s the truth, and if you take anything away today it’s this…
Websites that aren’t maintained slowly lose visibility.
They start slipping in search rankings. Links break. Pages load slowly. Content gets outdated.
Eventually, the very thing you paid good money for starts working against your business instead of for it.
And when that happens, you’re not just looking at updates anymore—you’re looking at an overall…sometimes a rebuild, because it’s been that long and so neglected.
4. You Ignored Red Flags—But Went with the Lowest Price Anyway
A lot of the horror stories we hear don’t start with someone being scammed.
They start with someone choosing the cheapest option.
No discovery call. No contract. No clarity.
But the price was “right,” so you moved forward, and crossed your fingers.
That’s not a scam. That’s a gamble.
And unfortunately, it’s a gamble too many people keep making.
Here’s the pattern:
You chose the lowest quote.
You ignored your gut.
You rushed the process.
You didn’t ask about timelines, support, or what happens after launch.
Then when the cracks started to show, you felt stuck—and rightfully frustrated.
I get it. Budgets are real.
But you can’t treat a website like a quick purchase and expect luxury service, long-term support, and a conversion machine on the back end.
If you go into a project expecting steak but only budget for instant noodles, don’t be surprised when you get what you paid for.
5. You Didn’t Follow the Plan
Now this one right here…
Some of y’all did get the strategy.
You had the roadmap. You got the guidance.
And still, you didn’t implement.
No judgment. Life happens. Business gets busy.
But if you’re not blogging, not updating your offers, not touching the SEO work you were coached on, and not applying the insights from your strategy consult, your website isn’t the problem. Consistency is.
You can’t skip the homework, then blame the tutor… or in this case, claim the website didn’t work.
You can’t ignore the blueprint and expect a finished house.
If you were given direction, whether from a designer, strategist, or copywriter but chose not to follow it, you’re not in a position to say “the website didn’t work.”
Because the truth is:
The website was ready. But you weren’t.
You didn’t have the space, systems, or support to use it the way it was designed to be used, and that’s okay. But let’s own it.
Closing Thoughts
I’ve realized how quickly some clients forget, not just the money they invested, but the time, energy, and intention that went into building their site.
And if that means little to you? Then hey… who am I to convince you.
But as a web professional who genuinely cares about the clients I work with and the work I put into the world, consider this your word to the wise.
Your website is not just a pretty page on the internet.
It’s a tool. It’s your business’s home base. It holds your voice, your vision, and your value.
And it deserves more than a launch-day celebration and then silence.
If it’s been a while since you’ve checked in with your site—or your designer—this is your nudge.
Let’s Work Together
Ready to stop treating your website like a one-time purchase and start treating it like the business tool it truly is?
Book a Website Strategy Consultation
Ask about my Quarterly Refresh Sessions or Website Aftercare Plans
Or simply reach out and let’s talk through what support looks like for your stage of business.
You don’t have to figure it out on your own.
But you do have to make the first move.
Frequently Asked Questions: Working Together After Launch
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Answer: Because your website isn’t just about it existing, you have a website but is it working. If it hasn’t been optimized, updated, or reviewed in the past 3–6 months, chances are it’s no longer aligned with your business goals. A strategy session helps you refocus and turn your site into a tool again, not just a placeholder.
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Answer: This isn’t a generic chat. We’ll review your current website, identify where it's falling flat, and discuss what needs to shift, whether it’s content, structure, visibility (SEO), or conversion flow. You’ll leave with clarity, recommendations, and a roadmap you can use.
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Answer: Absolutely. Most of the time, you don’t need a full rebuild, you need a professional eye and some smart, intentional tweaks. This session helps you maximize what you already have and build a phased plan if a full redesign ever becomes necessary.
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Answer: Yes, my support packages are built with sustainability in mind.
Whether it’s a quarterly check-in, a flexible refresh plan, or a lightweight retainer, we can find a rhythm that works for your business and budget. The goal is consistent alignment, not constant updates.
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Answer: I hear this more often than you’d think. What makes this different is the focus on strategy and relationship. We don’t just build things, I ask questions, guide decisions, and help you maintain your investment.
And if something isn’t the right fit, I’ll tell you. No fluff, no pressure.
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Answer: Of course, you can! However, the better question is: are you actually doing it? If not, there’s no shame in that. Most business owners don’t have the time, capacity, or clarity to make the most strategic edits. That’s where I come in, to partner with you and take that weight off your plate.