Ever feel like you're swimming in a sea of sameness?
All the websites in your industry start to look like templates of each other. Everyone’s social media posts are blending together. And it feels like every small business has the same “signature style” that’s anything but unique.
Same. Same. Same.
Which leads to a big, boring snoozefest.
And guess what? Bored people don’t buy. They’re not exactly rushing out to tell their friends about how thrilling it was to be... underwhelmed.
But don’t worry—this stops here. In this post, I’m going to walk you through five super-easy ways to make your website pop and help your small business rise above the noise.
First things first: you need to know something. The more time we spend lurking on our competitors' websites, the more we unconsciously start mimicking them. It’s a habit we pick up without even realizing it.
So, yes, it’s smart to know your competition—but there comes a point where you’ve gotta stop looking at them and start focusing on you.
Develop your own brand.
Find your own voice.
Dream up your own big ideas.
Because that, my friend, is the foundation for creating a small business website that’s anything but ordinary. Ready to dive in?
Here's How to Make Your Website Stand Out
Tell Stories with Engaging Copy
Personal stories and anecdotes are hands down the best ways to inject some serious personality into every word on your website.
And if there’s one thing I want you to remember from this strategy, it’s this: Facts Sell, Stories Tell.
Now, you might be wondering, What does that even mean?
Here’s the deal—stories create an instant emotional connection with your audience. And that emotional connection? It’s the foundation of trust. Trust is the secret sauce to all sales.
Translation: when someone trusts you, they’re waaay more likely to click that "buy" or "book" button on your website.
Stories help you stand OUT in a ridiculously crowded marketplace.
Let’s be real for a second. We all know it—the internet is bursting at the seams with competition. It’s fiercer than ever. Every platform, every industry—you’re swamped with choices, content, products, and services. It's like a giant sea of sameness out there!
But here's what I want you to really hear—stories cut through the noise.
In our fast-paced, info-overloaded world, stories are what grab attention and keep it. They allow you to sell more effortlessly, even at a premium, and they give you that massive edge you need to thrive in today’s marketplace.
Personalize Your Content
Your audience is literally telling you what they need. All you have to do is pay attention.
Whether it’s the questions they ask in person, through email, or over social media, these are golden nuggets that reveal their exact struggles and frustrations.
I personally love using Typeform to dig a little deeper into my subscribers’ preferences. With an interactive questionnaire, about 10 questions long, that takes less than 5 minutes to complete I gather priceless data from my audience. It’s how I decide what content to create that truly serves them.
And trust me, don’t underestimate the power of curiosity. The more you listen to what people are saying, the more you’ll be intrigued by how you can help. What works for one person might totally miss the mark for another. By tuning in, you’ll be able to craft the right ideas for the right people.
Once you’ve collected all those juicy insights, keep a running list of ideas. Personally, I stash mine in Google Docs or the Notes app on my iPhone. But if you’re more of a pen-to-paper kind of person, that works too! The key is to always have a little creative kindling at the ready when inspiration strikes.
So how does all this data play out on your website?
Simple—create sections that offer personalized suggestions or resources based on your users’ needs. Website cookies can customize a visitor’s experience based on their past behavior, location, or interests. Think a “Recommended for You” section that’s tailored to each visitor or showing popular products or blog posts. And guess what? You don’t need to be a coding whiz to make it happen. Tools like Outgrow or fun quizzes can get the job done effortlessly.
Be Open to Unconventional Design
Hold up—before you start diving into fancy fonts and wild color schemes, take a second. Be intentional.
Our eyes, our hearts, and our souls craves design that’s fresh, artful, and downright joyful.
Great web design doesn’t just look good—it makes us feel something. You know what I’m talking about, right? Those brands you stumble across, and suddenly, your heart’s like, “OMG, yes please!”
That’s because design speaks.
It’s the visual representation of your voice and your vision. It’s what tells your potential customers, “Hey, this is me. This is what I stand for. Wanna come along for the ride?”
When you land on a logo or a homepage that truly captures the soul of your brand, you’ll feel it in your gut. It’s that full-body YES. And guess what? That’s the same thrill your customers will feel when they realize they’ve found exactly what they were looking for—you.
Now, don’t shy away from being unconventional. You’ve gotta be you. Your design should reflect how you want to be seen, how your message will light up the world.
But here’s the thing—it probably won’t be perfect right out of the gate. And that’s okay!
Your brand’s look will evolve as you evolve. Your needs will change, your message will shift, and your design? It’ll grow right alongside you.
So, be willing to go on that journey. Don’t get stuck in the design phase chasing perfection—it doesn’t exist. What does exist is progress. And that’s what will keep your brand dynamic, fresh, and ready to make an impact.
Here are a few of my favorite amazingly designed small business websites:
Choose an Unmistakeable Domain Name
Ahh, the domain name—the online equivalent of naming your firstborn. It’s one of the trickiest steps in making your website stand out.
How do you capture what your business offers, who it’s for, and what makes it special... all in a name that hasn’t already been snapped up or trademarked?
Here’s the secret: nailing your domain name comes down to three simple things:
What people in your industry will instantly “get.”
How you want your business to be perceived.
Whether it’s catchy and easy to remember (and share!).
If you’re stuck, GoDaddy’s domain name generator can be a great place to start. But hey, let’s get a little more creative with this quick exercise instead:
Domain Name Generator Exercise: Grab a notepad (or your favorite app) and make a list of words that connect to your product or service. Use a thesaurus, dictionary, or even throw in a few random, silly words for fun. Think about the objects, feelings, or ideas people associate with what you do. Now take those words and brainstorm at least 20 potential domain names.
You’ll be amazed at what you come up with when you let your creativity flow! Once you have a few contenders, test them out on your friends, customers, or colleagues. See what vibes the names give them.
And don’t forget—what matters most is that your domain name aligns with your long-term vision. This isn’t just about today, but also about who you’ll serve in the years to come. So, think big, think bold, and pick something that resonates with your future self!
Keep Your Branding Consistent and Cohesive
The reality is, most ideas out there have been done. But none of them have been done by YOU. That’s where consistent and cohesive branding comes in. Think about it—no one else has your story, your quirks, or your unique perspective.
Your personal essence naturally weaves itself into your content, design, copy, and logo, even if you’re working on a shoestring budget.
Now here’s the thing—you’ve got to keep it consistent.
It’s not enough to throw your personal magic out there once and call it a day. Consistency builds trust. It builds recognition. And ultimately, it’s what makes people remember you.
So, how do you stay consistent with your branding? Start by making sure your colors, fonts, and visuals speak the same language across all platforms—your website, social media, emails, everything. Your tone of voice? It’s gotta be the same whether you're writing a blog post or an Instagram caption.
And don’t forget: repetition is your friend. People need to see your brand over and over (and over!) before they truly take notice. So be patient, stay consistent, and trust that your uniqueness is what will keep you standing out from the crowd.
Now, let’s turn this insight into action!
Take 5 to 10 minutes to polish a page on your website—any page will do! Whether it’s your sales page, home page, or contact page, think about how you can sprinkle in a bit of your personality or a unique design element.
Ask yourself: What makes this page truly you? What little details or tweaks can you add to transform it into something no one else could possibly replicate?
No holding back! No playing small! This is your moment to stand out! Put your faith in yourself into action. Remember, every small change adds up, and you’re laying the foundation for a website that not only showcases your offerings but also reflects the incredible person behind the business. You’ve got this!
Ready to take your website from ordinary to extraordinary? Don’t miss out on the opportunity to stand out from the crowd. Download your Idea to Launch Guide today and discover all the essential steps you need to create a standout website that truly reflects your unique voice and vision.
With this guide in hand, you’ll have the tools to turn your ideas into reality.
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