The Instagram trap
We love Instagram. It’s a brilliant tool for connecting with customers, showcasing your work, and building a brand. But for many small business owners, it ends up being the only place their business exists online.
If that’s you – running your business through DMs, posting daily to stay visible, and answering the same questions repeatedly – this story might feel familiar.
Meet Chloe: a lash technician drowning in DMs
A few months ago, we met Chloe, an independent lash technician based in Gloucestershire. She had a loyal client base on Instagram, steady referrals, and a growing following. From the outside, things looked great.
But behind the scenes, she was overwhelmed.
Her DMs were full of half-conversations. Customers were ghosting her halfway through booking. She was manually repeating the same information – prices, availability, aftercare – every single day.
She told us, “I feel like I spend more time in my inbox than actually doing lashes.”
Why Instagram alone wasn’t enough
Like many small businesses, Chloe didn’t think she needed a website. Instagram had worked so far. But as her business grew, it started to show its limitations.
Here’s what was holding her back:
- She wasn’t searchable on Google
- She couldn’t take bookings 24/7
- She had no central place for pricing, FAQs or aftercare information
- She looked less professional than competitors with websites
So she decided to do something about it.
The plan: build a website that saves time
Our goal was simple, give Chloe a digital home that would reduce admin, increase bookings, and display any relevant information that visitors may be looking for.
We focused on:
- A gallery and Instagram feed to showcase her work
- An integrated booking system with form and calendar
- A clear FAQ section and downloadable aftercare guide
- Branding that matched her calm, modern aesthetic
We used Wordpress to build a fast, mobile-friendly website that’s easy to update, cheap to upkeep and performs well on search engines.
The result: less admin, more bookings
Just one week after launch, Chloe messaged us: “I can’t believe I didn’t do this sooner. I’ve had four new bookings already, and I haven’t had to chase a single one.”
Here’s what changed:
- Clients now book directly through the website
- FAQs and aftercare information is always available
- No more late-night replies in the DMs
- She's now visible on Google and getting organic traffic
Her website is now working for her 24/7 – even when she’s in appointments or taking time off.
The takeaway: you deserve an easier way to work
If you're running your business entirely through social media, you're doing too much. A website doesn’t just make you look more professional – it saves you time, makes bookings easier, and helps new clients find you.
We build affordable websites for UK small businesses, tailored to your brand, your goals, and your customers, so you can enjoy doing what you do and not being a part time administrator.
If you are ready to move from DMs to a proper website that works for you Let’s have a quick chat – no pressure, just friendly advice.
