Have you ever looked for something obscure online and found what would be the perfect solution if it wasn't a scam? That's the problem. Smaller companies and startups are generally dictated by what their owner wants. Think about this. Have you ever seen a TV commercial for a used car lot and you inevitably see the fat, white haired owner in a small suit explaining how you can buy there and pay there?

This auto sales establishment would probably get a lot more customers if the owner didn't think HE was the best spokesperson for his company. The same goes for your website. There's a 99% chance you are not qualified to make a vibrant website design. You may know what you want or like, but remember, this is not your product, your website, you business, its your customers. By picking out your favorite colors, your layout based on someone else's site or an emotional appeal of your own, you're likely to cut your sales in half.

If you're selling wood saws, you probably shouldn't go with a futuristic modern look. Go to your top 10 competitors and print out their websites. Circle things you do like, box things you don't like and then either make, or contract out someone really qualified to make your website fit the niche and market the product or service is aimed at. Don't be the poorly dressed used auto salesman, get a model and let them put a friendly, honest face on your site that people can be proud to be a customer of.

There is no room for pride on the internet. Don't put your wants for design above your customers or you'll find that people will inevitably think your company is a scam, and it will cost you a lot more than hiring an actual web designer for a month. Promise.