If you're planning a website project, you've probably wondered: Should I write the copy first or start with the design?

The answer isn't one-size-fits-all — it depends on where you are in your business journey and what your goals are for the project. In this episode, we're breaking down when to start with copy, when to start with design, and how to make the smartest investment for your business right now.

Whether you're ready to scale or you're still in early growth mode, this episode will help you make the right choice for your website.

Topics We Cover

1. The difference between what design does and what copy does on your website
2. Why your approach might be different depending on your season of business
3. Meet Sarah: An established business owner ready to refine and scale
4. Why Sarah should start with copy before investing in design
5. How copy dictates the structure, hierarchy, and conversions on your site
6. Meet Paige: A newer business owner in the early growth stage
7. Why Paige should start with a design template to guide her DIY copy
8. The benefit of starting with a wireframe instead of a blank page
9. When it's okay to hire a copywriter midway through a template project
10. What NOT to do: investing in custom design with placeholder copy
11. How to restructure a template once your copy is done

Time Stamps

04:09 – The difference between design and copy on your website

05:10 – Why your approach may differ depending on your business season

05:22 – Meet Sarah: An established business owner ready to scale 06:33 – Why Sarah should start with copy before design

09:37 – Meet Paige: A newer business owner in early growth mode

11:54 – Why starting with a template helps Paige write her own copy

12:09 – Unpopular opinion: You don't need a custom website to be successful

12:55 – What to do when you get stuck writing copy with a template

13:30 – What NOT to do: Custom design with placeholder copy

14:41 – How to customize your template once the copy is finished

Links & Resources Mentioned

Dianna's copywriting studio: Rise Copy Co. — website & launch copy for creative women in business: risecopyco.com

Joanna's web design studio: Joanna Moss Creative — custom Showit websites & Website in Two Weeks: joannamoss.com

Joanna's Showit templates with free content documents: joannamoss.com/showit-website-templates

Showit - our favorite website design platform: https://account.showit.com/r/joanna