Website-Build Shaming Needs To Die

I’m pretty tired of people saying that there’s only one way to build a website.

Every solo and small business owner is different. It might be right for some of them to do everything themselves but for others, they don’t want to do the tech stuff, they don’t want to worry about maintenance, they don’t want to figure out how to post to their blog, or how to set up subscribe forms.

They don’t want the day they launch their website to be the day they are alone to “just figure it out.”

To everyone who says that “all therapists should build their own website” or “all therapists should be on their own after their website is built”

Sorry no.

When you say “just figure it out” within that statement, what you’re also saying is “there is something wrong with you if you don’t figure it out.”

I mean, it sounds similar to trying to convince an introvert that they should “just start liking parties” or telling the kid that loves science and math to stop being such a nerd and “just start liking football” like everyone else.

Pretty toxic. You’re trying to convince someone to change who they are.

Why are you telling someone what to do? Why is it any of your business? Do you know their life? Their skills? Their interests? What stresses them? Even if you do, are you them?

Only the therapist can express what’s right for them.

If you are a therapist or another small business owner, please reframe statements like “just figure it out already” to be less shaming, and a little more compassionate.

How about “this is what worked for me” or “this is what works for some therapists I know” vs. “this is how it ought to be done” because when you start speaking in “ought tos” it is incredibly insensitive to different-than-you people.

It’s ok if you make your own website

It’s ok if you need help for parts

It’s ok if you need help for all of it

Nothing is wrong with you if you prefer help. Stay true to who you are and find what feels good for you.