What Should I Do First? Branding, Website, or Offer?

So, you're starting a business (yay you! 🎉)...
But now your brain is spinning with questions like:

👉 Do I need a brand first?
👉 Should I build my website before I even have something to sell?
👉 When do I start making offers?

Let me pause you right there—because I totally get it.

When I started my business from scratch, I tried doing all the things at once. I made a website before I knew who I was helping. I created offers that no one really needed. I was overwhelmed and spinning in circles.

That’s why I want to give you the clear, step-by-step answer I wish I had when I started.

Let’s break it down in a way that makes sense and actually works.

Step 1: Start With Your Brand (But Not Just the Pretty Stuff)

When I say "brand," I’m not just talking about logos and colors.

I mean the heart of your business—your message, your mission, and your people.

Ask yourself:

Who do I help?
What do I help them with?
Why does this matter to me (and them)?
What problems are they facing right now?
What do they wish they had help with?

Getting clear on this is the foundation for everything else you build.

You can’t create a killer freebie, website, or paid offer if you don’t know who it’s for or what they’re struggling with. Once you’ve nailed down your brand clarity, everything starts to flow easier.

Step 2: Create a Lead Magnet That Meets an Immediate Need

Before you spend hours perfecting your website or building a full course, do this:

💡 Create a simple, helpful freebie (aka a lead magnet) that solves a small, real problem your ideal audience is facing right now.

This could be:

A cheat sheet
A checklist
A short guide
A mini video training
A template or script

It doesn’t have to be fancy—just helpful. This is how you:

Start building your email list
Attract the right people
Build trust by offering real value for free

Need a super easy way to build your lead magnet funnel?
👉 I recommend AttractWell. You can create opt-in pages, email automations, and even host your freebie—all in one place, without juggling 10 tools.

Step 3: Build a Simple Homepage (Don’t Overthink It!)

Now that you have your brand foundation and a lead magnet to grow your list, it’s time to set up your website—but not the whole thing.

Just start with a solid homepage that:

Clearly says what you do and who you help
Shares your freebie
Builds trust (add a quick testimonial or story)
Invites visitors to take one clear action (usually grabbing the freebie or booking a call)

You do not need five pages and a blog to start.

Focus on one page that welcomes people, shows them they’re in the right place, and invites them to take the next step.

Step 4: Now It’s Time to Develop Your Offer

Once you’ve built an audience (even a small one!), and you’ve been learning what they really need through your lead magnet and conversations—you can start creating an offer that sells.

Your paid offer should be:

Aligned with what your audience is already asking for
Based on your skills, story, or expertise
A clear solution to a specific problem

This could be:

A 1:1 service
A coaching program
A workshop or course
A digital product

Start small. Start simple. Your first offer doesn’t have to be perfect—it just has to help.

So… What’s the Right Order?

Here’s your roadmap if you're just starting from scratch:

Get clear on your brand
→ Who you help, what you help with, and why it matters
Create a lead magnet
→ Solve a small, real problem for free and grow your email list
Build your homepage
→ Keep it simple, clear, and focused on guiding visitors
Develop your offer
→ Create a paid solution that’s based on real needs you've uncovered

This way, you’re not just building a website or launching an offer into the void—you’re creating a business that’s strategic, intentional, and built on real relationships.

You Don’t Have to Do It All Overnight

Starting your business is a journey. And if no one has told you this yet—you’re doing great.

You don’t need a fancy logo, a perfect website, or a huge following to start making an impact. You just need a clear message, a helpful freebie, and a heart to serve.

Keep it simple. Keep it focused. And take it one step at a time.

And if you’re feeling stuck or want help mapping out your brand, funnel, or offer—I’d love to support you! Let's make this whole “starting a business” thing feel way less overwhelming (and way more fun). 💛