You waited for weeks. The designer said "it's ready," sent you the link, you opened it, and something sank. The colors don't feel like your business, the text doesn't sound like you, and something on the phone seems off. But you can't say exactly what is wrong. "I don't like my new website" keeps going round in your head, and you don't know how to put it to the person who built it.
This feeling is very common, and it is often justified. But "I don't like it" on its own gives a designer nothing to work with. In this article I explain how to turn your dissatisfaction into concrete points, how to read the revision terms you agreed on, how to talk to your designer, and how to decide between fixing the site and starting over.
First, turn "I don't like it" into a list
Dissatisfaction usually comes from three places: looks, content and function. Working out which one it is solves half the conversation. Write these questions on paper and walk through every page with them:
- Looks: Do the colors, fonts and photos reflect my business? How does it look next to my competitors' sites?
- Content: Does the text speak to my customer, or is it generic copy anyone could have written? Are the address, opening hours, phone number and services correct?
- Function: Does it open comfortably on a phone? Can I reach the booking or call button in two taps? Do pages load slowly?
Write one sentence per point: "The photo on the home page is a stock image, not our office." "Two of my services are missing on the services page." "On my phone I have to scroll down to find the contact button." Those three sentences are worth far more than "I don't like it."
Taste or real problem?
Be honest about one more distinction. "I wish it were green instead of blue" is a matter of taste. "Customers can't find my phone number" is a problem that costs you business. Both matter, but not equally. Split your list into "things that hurt my business" and "my preferences," and bring the first group to the designer first.
Check what you agreed on
When you started, there was a quote, a contract or at least a written exchange of messages. Open it now and look for:
- How many rounds of changes are included? Many projects agree on a set number of revision rounds.
- What is in scope? Are text, photos, number of pages and mobile layout mentioned in writing?
- How is delivery defined? Is the work "delivered on your approval" or "delivered when it goes live"?
- Did you approve a stage? If you signed off on a draft, asking for major changes afterwards may count as extra work.
Read these points as an ordinary business agreement, not as a legal opinion. If you have no contract, or it is unclear and the project is large, it is sensible to ask a lawyer. In most cases, though, the matter is settled by an open conversation without any legal step.
How to talk to your designer
The tone of the conversation shapes the outcome. A few practical tips:
- Describe, don't accuse. Instead of "this is all wrong," say "in these three places my expectations weren't met."
- Send it in writing. Email or message your list. What is said on the phone gets forgotten; a written list protects both sides.
- Show examples. Two or three sites you like, or an image that appeals to you, are clearer than a thousand words. The aim is not to copy, but to show direction.
A reasonable designer will take your list seriously. When a client's expectations haven't been met in a project of mine, I want to understand exactly what didn't fit first, because repeating the same misunderstanding in the next round helps nobody.
Fix it or start over?
The decision depends on what your list contains.
| What dominates your list? | Likely path |
|---|---|
| Colors, photos, font size, a few texts | A round of fixes is enough |
| Missing or wrong information | Fixes, quickly done |
| Menu layout, page structure, use on a phone | Larger revision, sometimes a new structure |
| Site explains the business wrongly, wrong audience | Replanning may be needed |
| Technical base is slow, breaks often, can't be updated | Starting over may come into play |
A general rule: if the problems are on the surface, fix them; if they are in the foundation, consider rebuilding. Surface problems are solved with paint, foundation problems with a new plan. Starting over sounds tempting, but it costs time and effort, so don't go there for something a revision can solve. On the other hand, if the foundation is wrong, every fix on top of it will be short-lived.
How to avoid this next time
Whichever path you choose, settle these things at the start of the next project:
- Who is it for? Describe in writing who your customer is and what they look for.
- What should the site do? Make the phone ring, bring in bookings, or build trust? The goal should fit in one sentence.
- Stage approvals. Ask for approval in steps: first draft, page structure, final version. Seeing everything only at the end is where surprises come from.
- Real content. Have your own photos and your own sentences ready early. Filler text added later is the most common reason a site does not feel like yours.
- Written scope. How many revision rounds, which pages, who delivers what; put it all in writing.
Frequently asked questions
Can I stop paying because I don't like the site?
That depends on your contract and the scope of the work done. First report your concerns in writing and use your right to revisions. If the disagreement grows, get advice from a lawyer.
What if the designer says "but you approved it"?
Look together at what you approved at which stage. If something changed after the draft or was never shown, point to it with an example. Often what you approved was a draft, not the final version.
My site looks good but brings no customers. Does that count as not liking it?
That is a separate problem. Looking good and bringing in business are different things. You need to check whether the site shows up on Google and what visitors do once they arrive.
Conclusion
You don't have to live with a site you dislike, but you don't have to decide in anger either. Turn the dissatisfaction into points, read what you agreed on, and have a calm, written conversation. If the problems are on the surface, you fix; if they are in the foundation, the case for a rebuild becomes clear. If you would like me to look at your current site with you and work out what to fix and what to renew, you can reach me through my website redesign page.