Why I Bought From Someone Else (And What It Taught Me About Websites)

This literally just happened to me.

I bought an offer from someone last week. Found it on their website, clicked through, paid. Done. The whole thing took maybe ten minutes.

Then, a few days later, I found out that someone I know, someone I've done workshops with, someone whose work I genuinely rate, also offers the exact same thing.

But she doesn't have a website.

So I had no idea. And now I've already spent my money elsewhere.

That's not a hypothetical scenario I'm making up to prove a point. That's a real sale she lost. Not because her offer wasn't good enough. Not because I didn't like her work. But because I simply didn't know it existed.

And here's the thing: I know I'm not the only one who's done this.

If you make it hard for me to buy from you, I just… won't. I'm not going to DM you to ask what you offer. I'm not going to dig through your Instagram highlights from 2022. I'm not going to wait three days for a reply when I'm ready to buy right now.

I'll just go somewhere easier.

And I hate that this is true, but it is: most people are the same way.

Why People Think Instagram Is Enough

Look, I get it. I really do.

Instagram feels like it should be enough. It's immediate. It's visual. It's where your audience already hangs out. You can post about your offers, share testimonials, answer questions in your DMs. It feels like you're building a business right there in the app.

And for a while, it works. You get inquiries. You book clients. You think, why would I need a website when this is working fine?

But here's what happens over time: Instagram starts to show its cracks.

Someone follows you for months. They love your content. They think about working with you. Then one day they're ready to buy, and they can't remember if you offer the thing they need. So they go looking.

They check your bio. It's vague. They check your highlights. There's one from eighteen months ago that might have mentioned it, but they're not sure. They scroll back through your feed. Nothing recent.

So they give up. Or they find someone else. Someone whose website made it obvious what they offer and how to buy it.

And you never even knew they were interested.

That's the Instagram trap. You're showing up. You're posting. You're doing the work. But if someone doesn't catch that one post where you mentioned your offer, or if they're not online the day you talked about it in stories, they miss it.

And you've just lost a potential client who was ready to buy.

Instagram only works if people are paying attention at exactly the right moment. And let's be honest, no one's paying that much attention. We're all scrolling too fast, distracted by a hundred other things, skipping past posts we'll never see again.

Your offer could be perfect for someone, and they'll still never know it exists.

The Restaurant With No Menu

Imagine you walk into a restaurant. You sit down, ready to order.

But there's no menu.

The waiter comes over and tells you about a couple of dishes. Maybe. If you ask. Or maybe they just assume you already know what they serve.

Or maybe you have to pull out your phone and scroll through their Instagram to piece together what's available. You see a photo of pasta from six months ago. A story highlight about Sunday roasts. A reel about their new dessert, but you can't tell if they still serve it.

Would you stay? Would you try to figure it out?

Or would you just leave and go somewhere easier?

Most people would leave.

And that's exactly what it's like trying to buy from someone without a website.

You're asking people to work too hard. To remember things. To guess. To reach out and wait for a response. And the truth is, most people don't have the energy for that.

A restaurant with a clear menu makes it easy. You can see everything they offer. You can compare options. You can decide what you want without having to ask. And if something looks good, you can order it right there.

A website does the same thing for your business.

It's your menu. It's where people can browse at their own pace, see what you offer, understand how you work, and decide whether you're the right fit, all without having to send you a message and wait for a reply.

And that matters more than you think.

What A Website Actually Does For Your Business

Let's talk about what you're actually missing when you don't have a website. Because it's not just about looking professional (though that matters too). It's about all the invisible ways a website works for you, even when you're not actively selling.

People can actually find you

Instagram only works if someone already knows you exist. They have to stumble across your content, or someone has to tag you, or you have to show up on their Explore page.

But what about the person who's Googling "sound bath in Dublin" or "business coach for therapists" or "web designer for small businesses"?

If you don't have a website, you're not even in that conversation. You're invisible to people who are actively searching for exactly what you do.

A website means you show up when someone's looking. That's intent-driven traffic. That's someone who's already decided they need what you offer, they're just trying to find the right person.

And if you're not there, they'll find someone else.

You actually own it

Here's the uncomfortable truth: you don't own Instagram. You're renting space there.

Instagram could change the algorithm tomorrow. They could decide your content violates some vague community guideline. Your account could get hacked. The platform could pivot in a direction that doesn't serve you anymore.

And if any of that happens, you've lost your entire business infrastructure.

Your website? That's yours. Your email list? Yours. No one can take that away. No algorithm can decide you're not worth showing to your audience.

It's your foundation. Instagram is just a satellite.

People can actually see what you offer

I can't tell you how many times I've followed someone for months, loved their content, and then realised I had no idea what they actually do.

They post inspiration. They share behind-the-scenes. They talk about mindset and strategy. But when it comes to their actual offers? It's mentioned once in a story. Or buried in a highlight from 2023. Or you have to DM them to find out.

And honestly? I'm not going to DM you. I don't want to feel like I'm bothering you. I don't want to wait for a response. I just want to see what you offer and decide for myself.

A website removes all that friction. It's clear. It's organised. People can browse everything you do, compare your packages, read your process, check your pricing (if you share it), and decide whether it's right for them, all on their own timeline.

That speeds up the buying process. And it means you're not losing people who were interested but couldn't be bothered to ask. (Say goodbye to nearly everyone with ADHD).

It makes you look credible

Fair or not, when someone's thinking about hiring you or buying from you, they're going to Google you.

And if you don't have a website, it raises questions. Are they legit? Are they serious about this? Are they established, or is this just a side thing?

A website signals: I'm here for the long haul. This is real. I've invested in my business.

Even if your Instagram is polished and professional, a website adds weight. It's social proof without you having to say a word.

Not everyone wants to DM you

Some people are introverts. Some people are just busy. Some people want to do their research privately, read your FAQ, and make a decision without the pressure of a conversation.

If your only call-to-action is "DM me for info," you're losing a chunk of potential clients who'd rather just… not.

A website meets people where they are. It gives them autonomy. And that actually converts better than forcing them to reach out before they're ready.

You can go deeper

Instagram's great for quick hits. A carousel. A reel. A caption.

But if someone wants to really understand what you do, your full process, your values, your approach, detailed testimonials, case studies, Instagram's clunky for that.

A website is where your sales page lives. Where you can tell the full story. Where you can address objections, build trust, and walk someone through exactly what it's like to work with you.

That's the stuff that actually converts someone from "this looks interesting" to "I'm ready to buy."

You're building an asset, not just an audience

Instagram requires constant content. You stop posting, you disappear.

A website? Once it's set up properly, it works for you 24/7. People find you while you're sleeping. While you're on holiday. While you're working with other clients.

It's evergreen. It compounds over time. And it doesn't require you to show up every single day to stay visible.

You're not just building an audience, you're building an asset.

You can actually capture emails

Instagram's great for reach. But email is where the relationship deepens.

A website lets you build your list. And once someone's on your email list, you're not dependent on the algorithm to stay in touch. You're in their inbox. You control the conversation.

If someone loves your work but doesn't see your posts for a few weeks because Instagram's being Instagram, they forget about you. If they're on your email list, you're still top of mind.

And that's where the real relationship, and the real sales, happen.

But I Don't Have Time / Money / Tech Skills

I know what you're thinking. Because I hear it all the time.

"But I don't have time to build a website."

Fair. That's why you hire someone. You wouldn't try to do your own taxes if you're not an accountant. You wouldn't cut your own hair if you're not a hairdresser. So why are you trying to build your own website if you're not a web designer?

Your time is better spent doing the thing you're actually good at. The thing that makes you money. Let someone else handle the website.

"But websites are expensive."

So is losing sales because people can't find your offers. So is spending hours every week trying to stay visible on Instagram. So is watching potential clients give up because they couldn't figure out how to work with you.

A website is an investment. And it pays for itself. Not just financially, but in time, energy, and peace of mind.

"But I'm not tech-savvy."

You don't have to be. That's literally why people like me exist. A good web designer doesn't just build you a site and disappear, they walk you through it, they make it easy to update, they handle the technical stuff so you don't have to.

"But I don't know what to put on it."

That's part of the process. A good designer helps you figure that out. They ask the right questions. They structure your offers in a way that makes sense. They write copy (or work with someone who does) so you don't have to stare at a blank page wondering what to say.

You're not expected to have it all figured out before you start. That's what the process is for.

Your Instagram Is Brilliant. But It's Not Your Business.

I still think about that lost sale. Not because I want to call anyone out, she's brilliant at what she does, and I'm sure she's doing just fine without a website.

But it's such a clear example of what happens when you rely on Instagram alone.

I wanted to buy from her. I would have happily given her my money. But I didn't know the offer existed. And I'm not going to send a DM asking "hey, do you happen to offer this thing?" on the off-chance that she does.

So I bought from someone else. Someone whose website made it obvious what they offered and how to get it.

And I know I'm not the only person who's done this.

Your Instagram might be beautiful. Your content might be engaging. Your stories might be getting great responses. But if people can't easily find out what you offer, how you work, and how to buy from you, you're leaving money on the table.

A website isn't a nice-to-have anymore. It's the difference between hoping someone catches your one post about your offer, and knowing you're ready, visible, and available when they are.

If you've been putting this off, I get it. It feels like a big thing. But it doesn't have to be overwhelming.

I've got a couple of spots left at founding rates before my prices go up significantly. Let's build you something that works behind the scenes so you can stop worrying about whether people can find you, and start focusing on the work you're actually here to do.

Because your business deserves a home. Not just a highlight reel.