🛶 Cool, bruh, I've got flour and yeast

Remember Choose-Your-Own-Adventure books? I freaking loved those.

→ Turn to page 23 if you want to explore the underground cave…
→ Turn to page 45 if you decide to follow the mysterious noise...

They work because every choice leads somewhere specific. Somewhere that makes sense for the story we want to read.

But, if instead, the book just said: “Figure out the next step yourself, Reader. Good luck, catch you on the flippety flip!"...

You'd chuck that book across the room.

Just like a website sans user journey.

While I love DIY platforms, here's what drives me absolutely bonkers:

They're all "You got this! Designing is so easy with our tech!" But they conveniently skip the whole strategy part.

It's like handing someone all the ingredients for making sourdough but forgetting to mention you actually need a recipe.

Cool, bruh, I’ve got flour and yeast. But what now?

I was just on the Talk Copy to Me podcast (episode: "5 Experts on the Website Mistakes Driving Clients Away") talking about this exact issue, and it happens with every DIY site I audit or build.

Without a clear user journey mapped before you start building, your prospective clients are basically reading a choose-your-own-adventure book where they might land up on any page at all.

They show up all psyched and then... wait did they just leave???

Here's how to fix it (simpler than you think):

Step 1: Pick your treasure

Get crystal clear on your number one priority. What's the one action you're dying for people to take? Book a call? Download your freebie? Buy your thing?

You can have multiple goals, but you gotta know which one is your ride-or-die. That primary action should be the shining star in your navigation.

Step 2: Map every pathway

Make a map of every single link on your site. Trace the journey someone could take by clicking through any page. Start with each entry page and follow where any links could lead.

Here's the key: all pathways should eventually end at your primary action.

Step 3: Create strategic exceptions

On my site, I want visitors to fill out my project application form. But what if someone lands there and isn't ready? I have strategic escape routes – like my blog or resources page – that end in signing up for my email list. That's my secondary pathway to stay connected.

Step 4: The New Tab rule

Any links going somewhere else on the internet? Those need to open in a new tab.

Not only is this good SEO practice, but it keeps your visitor's journey clear and focused instead of accidentally booting them off your site.

It's not about being perfect

Look, this isn't about people getting it wrong. You're brilliant at what you do – that's why you have a thriving business.

And here’s the thing about trying to figure it out on your own: It's hard to read the label from inside the bottle. Sometimes you need profesh eyes to spot what you can't see.

That's exactly what the Untangled Site Analysis does - it diagnoses all the invisible gaps hiding on your site.

Then, if you want me to fix ‘em, the Spruce-Up Sprint or Northstar Site Solution actually handles the evolution for you.

DIY platforms act like building a website that works can be handled by choosing a cute template. They give you all the design tools but skip the roadmap for actually guiding people toward becoming clients.

It's the difference between a business card site and one that works f24/7.

Wondering what else might be leaking?

Creating a user journey map might sound like fancy UX designer talk, but it's just about being intentional with how you guide people through your online home.

When every page has a purpose and every link leads somewhere strategic, that's when your site stops being a placeholder and starts working overtime – so you don’t have to.

But here's the thing – there are probably other invisible cracks on your site that are just as easy to miss from the inside.

The Untangled Analysis is my 101-point website assessment that maps exactly where your site might be tangled up and charts a clear path forward. You get a custom video walkthrough from me showing you what's working, what's not, and exactly where to focus your energy first.

Keep on doing you,

Reader, when you're ready, here are 3 ways I can help you:

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