You’ve stumbled upon a breathtaking website you love. You feel prompted to scroll, explore, and click around to see more. You find yourself thinking, “I want my website to look just like this one!” Today, we’re sharing 3 key reasons why using another website as inspiration for your own can actually harm your business — and 5 reasons why having a one-of-a-kind website for your business can elevate, enhance, and grow your business.

Welcome to Episode 206 of The Brand It, Build It Podcast: Why Website Originality Pays Off. I’m your host, Kelly Zugay, and I’m so excited you’re here. Every web design business is unique and approaches the web design process in a one-of-a-kind way. At With Grace and Gold, something we feel so passionately about is asking our clients not to share websites they feel inspired by — and we even recommend for our clients to avoid visiting their competitor’s websites during our design process. We wholeheartedly believe every small business should have a one-of-a-kind, purpose-driven brand and web design, uniquely reflective of their expertise, approach, and goals. That’s why, today, we’re sharing how using another website as inspiration can harm your business, and why having a one-of-a-kind website for your business can pay off.

First, how can using another website as inspiration for your own harm your business?

1. Using someone else’s website as inspiration strips away the chance to showcase what sets you and your business apart. Your story, style, and perspective are completely your own — and when they’re housed in someone else’s website, everything can begin to feel misaligned. Worst of all, prospective clients and visitors to your website can sense such misalignment.
2. Someone else’s website likely doesn’t align with your unique target audience. Just like your business is unique, so is your audience. Authenticity resonates with your prospective clients far more deeply than imitation can.
3. Using someone else’s website as inspiration isn’t likely to create longevity for your website. You may find yourself wanting to change your website again and again, or you may feel like this emulated website can’t grow and evolve as your business grows and evolves.
4. Lastly, using someone else’s website as inspiration — especially when inspiration borders imitation — is unethical. As a small business owner, you want to feel at peace with your business and business decisions.

For all of these reasons, and more, having a one-of-a-kind website aligned with your unique business, vision, and goals is truly a better and more sustainable option. Here are 5 reasons why originality pays off — why having a one-of-a-kind website can elevate and grow your business:

1. Having a one-of-a-kind website creates distinction — a meaningful, memorable experience for your prospective clients. With an original website, unique to your business, your visitors can have a memorable experience, return to your website again and again, and recommend your business to others.
2. The sky’s the limit when it comes to your unique website. When you aren’t confined by what you have seen before, or what has been done before, you can design freely, or trust your designer to design freely. You have creative freedom and can communicate your expertise and approach in a way uniquely-aligned with your business.
3. Authenticity, communicated through your one-of-a-kind website, helps to build trust. Your unique website can showcase your genuine passion and expertise, instilling confidence in prospective clients and setting your business apart from competition.
4. Your website is a reflection of your commitment to excellence. Investing in a custom website demonstrates your dedication to providing the best possible experience for your clients, setting the stage for long-term success.
5. Your one-of-a-kind website, especially when created by a professional designer, can be strategically created with longevity in mind. The features and functions of your website can be strategically designed, so that as your business grows, changes, and evolves, your website can grow with you.

When it comes to finding inspiration for your website, we recommend Pinterest to explore architecture, magazines, fashion, people, and more. When you do, you can determine the feeling you’d like your website to have — and allow your professional designer to do the rest!

We are so hopeful today’s episode inspires you to seek originality and authenticity in your website — and to know that a one-of-a-kind website can meet your needs and achieve your goals. Thanks for tuning in!

Brand It, Build It Podcast, Hosted by Kelly Zugay

Hosted by Kelly Zugay, co-founder of With Grace and Gold, The Brand It, Build It Podcast is the best small business marketing podcast for small business owners, creatives, and founders. Weekly, brief, actionable episodes will equip you to build a successful, sustainable small business. Since 2014, With Grace and Gold has provided award-winning custom brand and Showit web design and completely customizable Showit website templates for small businesses worldwide.