There’s a world in all of these aspects, but one I’ve always really indulged into the science behind converting.

While you can have a beautiful website, it’s nothing without direction that leads visitors to either purchase or enroll.
While you have social media, it’s nothing if you can’t connect to your audience and say “go buy our product, link in bio”, and to take it a step further,
if that website in the bio sucks, you’re not converting at all.
‍
There’s several things this can relate to, but I’ve seen a lot of small businesses lately, that will set up a e-commerce website, and just have bad call to actions, or have bad ways of purchasing, such as instead of having a cart they just have a direct to checkout.
‍
To my surprise, when I first started in e-commerce, one of my jobs had a surprising 4.0% conversion rate, off a website that was truly awful. It felt like one of those old school wholesale buy everything and here’s a ton of ads everywhere on our site. I’m unsure how they did it, but I’ll tell you, it was a very trendy product at the time. Doing several million in sales per variant, and 8 or so variants, they had a warehouse in San Antone, but it was more or so a quick repackaging center more than anything.

An example of this is that one of my most recent clients had a “Add to cart” action on a catalog style website, but when users would click on it, it would automatically take them to checkout, which is fine if you have a smaller catalog or maybe a single product you're trying to sell, but in a large 50+ product catalog, you probably want to do some more cross and upselling.
‍
Now, this whole thing is very much written in the sense that all brand owners want to convert better.
Some times, some brands really just lack their ability to convert, in these days of cheap websites like Temu or whatever, some business owners are being beaten by cheaper solutions, but I truly believe theres always a way. It may take a harsh time period of trial and error, but I think it’s all worth it to truly get that conversion.

Branding is undoubtably undervalued still to this day.
For some reason, I can’t fully grasp why.
Branding is the first thing a potential user/customer sees.
Branding is what connects them to you.
You may have the best product in the world.
It may solve all problems and give back to charity in abundance. 
You may have a million customers, ready to pay.
You may have a ten million dollar purchase order.
But without branding, You don’t have any of that.
‍
Though I don’t support the brand mentioned,
Why is coca-cola the largest beverage company in the world?
Back in the 90s,
it had the cutest and coolest merch, remember the polar bear ads? How about those cool polar bear shirts from the 90s?
They gave polar bears a good name.But no seriously, look at the impactful branding of coca-cola.They have a main logo, they have sub variants of it, they have a great color scheme…
But more importantly…
The branding creates the experience.It’ has a great flow state, the logo is split in two parts which they use in really good product derivatives I’d call it (You know, sub-products, or secondary products maybe better terminology, I.e. Diet-Coke, Cherry-Coke, Etc)
But, away from Coca-Cola, it’s important that I say, you need to have good branding too.
‍
Branding is so valuable, It’s almost invaluable in my eyes, spend a great amount of time and a great amount of money dialing it in.
Personally, for my projects and businesses, I like to take time to get into a subconscious state and a “different-perspective” state, both are different but nonetheless,
I like to get as logically-creative as I can.
Usually, I call these sessions, "hyper-sessions"
Everything for a few days needs to be perfect, from morning rituals to nightly tasks, and consistency of everything in-between and after.
Reading, water intake, meditation, diet intake, exploring different things whether that’s a hike or a small trip somewhere I’d never go, all just in the name…Of branding.
‍
I think while most people in today’s times are “hurry up do it fast and first, fix it later” for me, with branding, you really only get one chance at it.
Yes you’ll have revisions and different versions along the way, but complete re-brands after success, often prompt for failure.
I don’t even need to give examples on bad rebrands, but they’re out there.
Wondering whats the right amount to spend on branding?
This is where it gets a little crazy.
Some people, will only spend $30, some will spend $30,000.
Whether they want just a single logo (which a lot of well-talented designers don’t offer just that single service anymore), some may want a main logo, a secondary, a third, and then various versions of it.
Along with, compatible fonts, color kits, and more. 
It's all worth having a well-knowledgeable designer do your branding for you.

Did you know, the original definition for “Competitors” was to strive together? The word "competition" is derived from Latin word meaning "to strive together," but most of us think of it as striving against.
‍
It's intriguing how the word "competition" stems from a Latin root that implies cooperation rather than solely opposition. Though in modern times, we often perceive competition as a game where one must outdo another.
If we delve deeper into the essence of competition, we might uncover a more collaborative narrative.

A great example of this, are the tech giants Microsoft and Apple.
Without Microsoft, there would have been no Apple, and vice versa.
These two companies, once startups themselves, engaged in a symbiotic relationship that fueled innovation in the tech industry, and still to this day go back and fourth in supporting and rug pulling one another.
‍
They competed fiercely, yet their competition was not merely about dominance; it was about pushing each other to excel and evolve. Even today, amidst their status as industry titans, Microsoft and Apple continue to influence and inspire each other. Whether through direct partnerships or indirect market trends, their interdependence remains evident.
This dynamic serves as a powerful reminder that competition doesn't have to be a solitary pursuit.
Rather, it can be an opportunity for mutual growth and advancement. Imagine if more businesses adopted this mindset—viewing their competitors not as adversaries to defeat but as partners to collaborate with.
In such a landscape, industries could flourish through collective innovation and shared success. Instead of seeing rivals as threats, entrepreneurs could find common ground and strive together towards common goals.

So, how can we apply this concept of "striving together" in our own entrepreneurial endeavors?
One approach is to foster a spirit of collaboration within our industries.
Rather than isolating ourselves, we can seek out opportunities to connect with like-minded individuals and businesses.
By sharing insights, resources, and experiences, we can accelerate our growth and create a rising tide that lifts all boats.
Moreover, we can reimagine competition as a catalyst for innovation rather than a barrier to overcome. Instead of viewing competitors as obstacles in our path, we can see them as catalysts that inspire us to push beyond our limits and reach new heights. Through healthy competition, we can challenge ourselves to constantly improve and innovate, driving positive change within our industries.
‍
Whether in business or in life, collaboration breeds innovation, and competition fuels progress.
By embracing this mindset, we can create a future where competitors aren't adversaries but allies on the journey towards greatness. So, let's strive together, not just to win, but to elevate each other to new heights of achievement.

In today's time's all I see is overcomplicated methods of accomplishing things.

The story that inspired the post:
‍
Years and years ago, I started adapting this method; even more so recently, I really started implementing it and seeing the benefit of it. However, let me take you back to the first experience I had pitching it; the outcome wasn't good and I can't help but to think it would have been better if the client would have really heard me out for it.

So back in like 2014, I had began accepting clients here and there, usually really small, really early, friends and family type clients, you know, getting a feel for my place for it;
I had a gent which I had worked with in the past reach out and ask for assistance setting up a Shopify store. Of course I said yes, wrote out a scope of work, agreement, etc, and the situation of it was that he had 6 products, 5 were "eh" 50/50 might make it might not, probably not, nevertheless type products and 1, was really good. The one that was really good, had a lot of eyes on it, basically 90% of his audience as there, for tat one product. I knew that, he knew that, it was obvious.
So, I built the store, putting that main product; first. Simplified the checkout process, added up & cross selling features for it, then below, placed the other products and content on a interval style design concept, it was really nice honestly.

Last minute, the night before the launch he texts me and goes "Hey, I want to throw out everything you did and put all the products on a single line no add to cart CTA, no nothing, catalog style.
I went back and forth with him, told him it was bad idea, he said "My mentor sells $100K a year in shirts just like this", and demand I do it. So I did.

And then,
...the flop happened.
Released the site, posted the content, and 0 checkouts.
Fact; I think he had 4 in total for that whole week... and the were all 4 that MVP.
I told him politely that every additional click to successful checkout was a 10% detractor on likelihood of successful checkout. I even presented the option of me reverting the site. I told him that with no sense of direction, users have no clue how to operate things, they very much like so have to be told where to go / what to do. Even though you and I may understand the catalog vibes type of a site, that doesn't mean it's engaging enough for others / targeted audiences to checkout upon.

Weeks go by and I follow up, and the guy is salty at me as if I did something wrong.
I'm pretty sure he still has all 96 tees in his garage, but like that has nothing to do with me, I presented a great site, I provided options and solutions, and it wasn't good enough.

I can't help but to believe, his several hundreds of active followers showing interest of the MVP would have purchased that.

So, onwards with the whole concept of simplicity sells,
There's so many sites these days where it's an overwhelming experience.
You're gonna put 3 popups on your landing page? Do you hate customers?

Put yourself in your customers shoes, and reverse engineer you're shopping experience.
When you buy something, how often are you like "Yay a popup where I may or may not save $X%", how likely are you to do that?
If you're just browsing, it's a little annoying. And now a days, places seem to be placing multiple popups on their site, so it seems like it's getting worse.
...

90% of business fail because… (theres several reasons but hear me out)
‍
Failure of proper allocated spending. 
From my perspective, many startups spend in places they shouldn’t.
‍
A prime example; I had a client a while back,
who started his company on Monday (little to no research), by Thursday, he had a small office space (probably a 12 month lease), a new computer set up with no tech skills, a had hired 4 bang-up job companies for plugins on his site, which he bought the most expensive versions for, they were necessary, however, I just don’t think the highest price of them really were, and then all the other misc expenses. 
He did all of this, without having a single client inline ready to pay.

A few months go by, And he built and hired a small team, which is great to hear!! We love that.
However, he went and hired upper-class like managers. 
Which hey, I’m okay with that, I’d probably rather probably take the route of hiring quality entry level individuals whom knew what they were doing, and paid them well.
‍
Essentially, if I were starting something, which I currently am, have done, and have been a part of many other people starting their things, I would do it like this,
‍
Find something you’re good at or passionate about. Ideally for me, passion wins. Passion ignites something different in you, the love for it usually lasts longer,
‍in the game of business, isn’t it just who lasts the longest?
‍
Then, I would conduct research on it.
‍
I would look up, learn, be educated and educate myself (shoutout Youtube)….
How to be the best at it(at what I'm trying to offer), Companies that do great at it or similar things, How is the industry now and where is it heading, and Accomplishing Target Market, this for me is #1, why?
If you can’t tell me the very last detail in great detail, you’ve failed. Product Market research, Market conditions, making sure that it doesn’t have one hot day a year (ahem, Best Buy and Black Friday... they have 1 day of year where they see more sales then the entire year combined and thats Black Friday) And then finally, write a deeply detailed document of analytical research, supply chain, profits, sales, incomes and outcomes, and various other things such as targeted ebit & ebitda.
Take some time doing this; I think it's one thing to be super quick and excited, it's another to be structurally sound and build, research, strategy, and planning all take time.
‍
Then, I’d act on it.
All good things take time, do not rush anything.
I'd do as much as I could do before outsourcing. Don't know code? learn it. Dont know finance? learn it. Don't know about connecting to customer? learn it.
Most overnight successes took years of daily failures to become what they are today.
In fact, you would be surprised at how many people are utilizing quality AI prompts to speed up their research and increase their knowledge of how to operate. 
Spend time and money on your research, make sure you build up an incredible investors or spending pitch deck, and then step into another perspective and tear it all down, and reverse engineer it.
‍
We can't solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them - Albert Einstein 

As a designer and developer, I’ve noticed something that’s become increasingly common: the overuse of templates. Don’t get me wrong—I understand their appeal. They’re marketed as cost-effective solutions, but they often fail to deliver what’s truly needed. Here’s the issue: templates sell you a dream that’s already been accomplished—but for a different product, a different vision.
‍
You upload your content, and no matter what.. it just doesn’t feel right.
Why? Because these templates weren’t made for your business. They were created as a quick way to generate revenue, not to genuinely solve your design problems.I’ll give you an example. Someone I know bought a Shopify e-commerce store template for $480. It was beautifully designed… for an energy drink brand. When the founder tried to adapt it to their own product, it was a healthy snack mix, and the end result was disastrous. The final version looked awkward and disconnected from their brand.
For $480, they could’ve hired a design intern to create something more aligned with their product and customers, something with a little more thought behind it. And that’s what I’m all about: creating meaningful connections between a brand and its audience.Another huge issue with templates is how often they come out of the box broken. They’re marketed as “one-size-fits-all,” but that couldn’t be further from the truth. Mobile optimization is frequently an afterthought, and layout issues crop up constantly. For instance, a content box might expect a 1280px image, but when you upload something smaller, say 620px, the whole design breaks. It’s frustrating, and it limits creativity. Instead of creating something unique, you’re stuck with a copy-paste solution that lacks originality and makes your brand feel generic.What really concerns me, though, is how normalized this has become.

One of my recent clients assumed that my quote included the use of a template, and they were okay with it! Which really honestly blew my mind.
When you hire a creative professional, you’re paying for a creative to create a unique experience, something tailored to your brand or app, with the goal of aligning your targeted audience with your mission and getting them to engage and convert.
You’re not paying for someone to slap your content onto a pre-existing template and call it a day.

Another client of mine had previously purchased four templates, each costing $250, and still couldn’t “connect the dots,” as I like to say. When they finally hired me, I recreated some elements from those templates, but instead of just copying and pasting, I curated their site to align with their mission: getting more views as an artist and signing more contracts. For the $2,500 they spent in total, $1,000 on templates and $1,500 on my services, they could’ve had a far better experience from the start.
Honestly, $2,500 goes a long way when invested in the right designer or developer. I’ll admit, I’m underpriced compared to a lot of my peers, but I pride myself on being quick, reliable, and intentional with my work. I believe in the power of business, and I don’t feel the need to dig deeply into my clients’ pockets. With that being said, I’ve seen the extremes in this industry. Some charge $10,000 for a basic site with limited functionality, while others charge $100 and disappear without delivering anything.
There are no clear guidelines for what’s good or bad, and that’s a huge problem for people trying to find quality design services.At the end of the day, templates might seem like a shortcut, but they’re rarely worth the trade-offs. If you’re serious about your brand, invest in a professional who can create something that truly resonates with your audience. It’s not just about having a website; it’s about having the right website, one that works for you and your customers.

When it comes to all of this, the designing, the developing, the sales, the marketing, the branding, the startup stuff, and all the other things, for me, my perspective is that if you create a unique experience, you’ll have an easier time accomplishing goals.
‍
It’s certain that it’s not about keeping up with trends, or even staying ahead of trends. It’s about creating an experience that wows the users and converts them into retaining /// superstar customers. By superstar customers, I mean customers who buy an item 1 time, and have such a great experience, they tell their circles, their audience, and their friends and family on their own without the brand asking for it. 
You may be asking, how does one make a “superstar customer”?
This can be accomplished in several ways, but it requires a little of each to really dial it in.
‍
Creating an impactful brand 
Creating an impactful product
Creating a website with direction 
Creating an impactful purchasing experice
Having incredible customer relations
‍
I’m going to do this in reverse.
‍
Incredible customer relations trickles down from having a brand identity and atmosphere, being responsive online (Not with some AI text chat bot that sucks), and replying to people on social media. 
A few of my favorite brands doing this well are... Audi, the car brand, they reply to every social media comment. Chomps, the snack company, 1, their content is warm and inviting, 2, they have a sense of direction, every post points to the link in bio, the link in bio is quickly updated to fit the post most recently mentioned, creating a seamless shopping experience from the Instagram. and lastly, Wholefoods. Wholefoods makes content that seems real, it’s relatable, it doesn’t have big photography / videography equipment, you can tell the team is just recording off iPhone with some genuine creative direction. They also don’t necessary over promote products, they make funny videos and trendy feed posts to stay relevant, and they reply via DM most of the time.
‍
Creating a website with direction.
Too many call to actions: way too desperate, or what my slang would be, “reachy”. No call to actions: what are users going to do? Leave confused? yes.
A website with good direction captures the users experience that right away, makes them say “wow” and without having to scroll or wait on anything, they can see things like the branding, the valuable tagline / slogan, and the call to action. 

Creating an impactful purchase experience.
This flows from a nice website / onboarding, to a nice packaging experience when your customer receives their order, or in the tech world, a nice interactive experience when signing up for our saas. I can't emphasize this enough, make every shopping experience feel like it's one of a kind. In e-commerce, regardless of how small or big you are, writ that hand written note on that nice card material saying thank you. In the digital space, send that thank you message from your professional-personal email. The impactful experience
‍
Impactful product.
Creating a impactful product goes past just what the customer sees. There’s a ton in prototyping, testing, and conceptualizing.You only have to be right 1 time. You only have to have 1 product that’s as perfect as possible to win.If you ever wonder about pricing, my solution is this book called How To Master The Art of Selling by Tom Hopkins.
For this, please see my article, why branding is everything.
When all of these are perfectly aligned, you’ve built a strong structure.

Having incredible customer relations.
It's not difficult to be a company with a human-first aspect and respect with your customers.
Like for me in all of my ventures, if and when a customer has needed something, I've been there to support. Being transparent and being reasonable always wins.

In a summary, the journey from conceptualization to fruition in the world of business revolves around the creation of a unique and captivating experience for customers. This involves a holistic approach that encompasses impactful branding, product development, website design, and customer relations. By prioritizing the cultivation of "superstar customers" – those who not only make a purchase but also become enthusiastic advocates – businesses can foster lasting connections and drive sustained growth. From fostering genuine interactions on social media to crafting websites with clear direction and creating products that exceed expectations, each element plays a crucial role in building a strong foundation for success. When all these components align harmoniously, they form a robust structure that propels businesses towards achieving their goals and solidifying their position in the marketplace.