From DIY to Dreamy: A Before & After Look at a Website Transformation | Victoria Haydn Portraits

There’s nothing wrong with starting with a DIY website. In fact, I encourage it when you’re just getting started - getting something live is so much better than waiting for perfection.

But here’s the truth:

There comes a point when your business outgrows your first website. When your expertise, offers, and dream clients are ready for a more refined, strategic, and elevated online presence.

And that’s exactly what happened for Victoria Haydn.

Before: A DIY Site That No Longer Fit

When Victoria first launched her personal brand photography business, she built her website herself using Squarespace.

It was simple, functional, and served its purpose at the time. But fast forward a year or two - and her business is thriving.

✨ A bucket-load of premium client case studies
✨ Referrals flying in
✨ A clear signature process
✨ And a client experience that had seriously levelled up.

The problem? Her website didn’t reflect any of it.

“I loved the website when I first made it,” Victoria told me, “But now I just feel like it doesn’t match my services or experience.”

Sound familiar?

The Goal: A Website That Matches the Brand

When we kicked off our project, Victoria had a clear vision:

They wanted a website that:

✔ Looked elevated, modern, and editorial
✔ Spoke clearly to her dream clients
✔ Positioned herself as a premium service provider
✔ Felt aligned with the confidence and clarity she had with her work.

And most importantly? It needed to feel like Victoria. Professional but warm. Refined but approachable.

The Transformation

We started with The Align & Bloom Signature Package, and the result? A complete glow-up - from content to visuals to user experience.

Here's what we focused on:

🖥 Strategic layout and user journey – guiding visitors through the site with clarity and intention, leading them to make an enquiry on each page.

🎨 Refined, modern branding – a minimal but impactful palette and typography that reflected Victoria’s elevated new direction

📱 Mobile optimisation – so it looked beautiful on every device, particularly as Victoria’s main traffic and sales driver is Instagram, so we knew a lot of potential clients would be viewing Victoria’s website on their phones.

💌 Call-to-actions – that helped convert curious visitors into dream clients.

And the cherry on top? A design that felt like a natural extension of who Victoria is and what her business stands for.

After: A Site She’s Proud to Share

Now? Victoria feels proud to send people to her website. It tells the right story, attracts the right people, and reflects the premium, high-touch experience they’re known for.

In Victoria’s Own Words

“Thank you for everything, Soph! You’ve been instrumental in giving me the confidence to share my business with the world.

My new website feels like a true reflection of me and my brand - it’s everything I dreamed of and more. The unique elements and creative touches you’ve brought to life make it truly one of a kind, and I couldn’t love it more.

The design process has been flawless and my website now reflects the level of professionalism and luxury I bring to my clients whilst also feeling authentic to me. I believe it will attract my ideal audience more effortlessly, create a stronger emotional connection with potential clients, and ultimately elevate my brand’s visibility in the industry. I’m excited to see how it helps me stand out and grow!

I would highly recommend your services to anyone looking for a talented web designer. Your attention to detail, creativity, and ability to bring my vision to life have been incredible. Not only did you make the entire process seamless and enjoyable, but you also went above and beyond to ensure my brand identity truly reflects who I am and what I do. Anyone who works with you is in the best hands!

I’m so grateful I found you and took the leap to transform my DIY site into something that stands proudly alongside the biggest brands. I appreciate you so much!”

Ready for Your Own Transformation?

If your current website isn’t matching the level of work you do (and the experience you offer), it might be time to say goodbye to the DIY version - and hello to a site that actually works for your business.

✨ Explore my website design services here.
✨ Or book a discovery call to chat about where you’re at.

You deserve a website you’re excited to send people to.