How to Stop Overthinking Your Website Design (and Actually Get It Done)

You’ve been telling yourself for months—maybe even years—that you need a new website. You’ve scribbled down ideas, bookmarked inspiration, maybe even started a Pinterest board. But when it comes to actually pulling the trigger and making progress? Stuck. Stalled. Overthinking every decision until the excitement fades and the whole thing feels heavy.

You’re not alone. Many people reach out to me with half-formed plans and a sense of guilt for not having “figured it out” yet. The truth is, building or refreshing your website doesn’t have to be overwhelming. With the right mindset (and a little structure), you can move forward with ease.

Here’s how to stop overthinking and start creating.

1. Get Clear on the Purpose

A website isn’t a piece of art you’re creating for a gallery. It’s a tool. The first step is getting clear on what you want it to do for you right now—not forever, not five years from now.

Do you want people to book a call? Read your blog? Donate to your cause? Start there. That clarity will guide all your decisions and stop you from spiraling into “what ifs.”

Practical Tip: Write one sentence that sums up what your website should achieve. Example: “My website should make it easy for people to schedule a consultation with me.”

2. Start Small, Build Later

Overthinking often comes from imagining the entire website as a giant, finished mansion. But you don’t need a mansion right away. You need a solid, comfortable front door people can walk through.

Start with the basics: Home, About, Services (or Offerings), and Contact. You can always add more later.

Practical Tip: Think of your website as a living project, not a final exam. Launch what you can now, and update as you go.

3. Pick a Style You Like and Stick to It

It’s easy to get lost in endless fonts, colour palettes, and layouts. The truth? There are dozens of “right” answers. What matters is consistency, not perfection.

Choose one font pairing, a simple colour palette (two main colours plus one accent), and a clean template. Then commit.

Practical Tip: If you feel yourself spiraling, remind yourself: “Done is better than endless tweaking.”

4. Focus on Words First, Design Second

Design paralysis often happens when you’re fussing over visuals without having content ready. Words anchor everything else. Once you know what you’re saying, the design has a job: to support those words.

Practical Tip: Open a blank document and write your website content without worrying about format. Think headlines, short descriptions, and one clear call-to-action per page.

5. Give Yourself a Deadline

Overthinking thrives in open-ended timelines. A clear finish line builds momentum. It doesn’t need to be stressful—just something realistic you can hold yourself to.

Practical Tip: Pick a launch date, circle it in your calendar, and tell a friend or colleague to keep you accountable.

6. Get Help Where You Need It

Sometimes overthinking is a sign that you’re carrying too much alone. A designer, copywriter, or even a supportive friend can help you untangle the knots and move forward.

You don’t have to do it all yourself—and getting the right support can make the process lighter and faster.

The Bottom Line

Your website doesn’t need to be perfect. It just needs to work for you, right now, in the season you’re in. Once it’s live, you’ll have something solid to build on—and that’s when the fun begins.

What about you? Have you been overthinking your site design? Need a listening ear? Reach out and let me know how I can help.