In my video and blog post today, I want to talk about why simple websites still beat shiny platforms! If you are building an online business, it is very easy to get distracted by design, flashy features, and “all-in-one” platforms that promise to do everything for you.
I speak to a lot of people who want a website that looks impressive, polished, and packed with features. In their mind, a great-looking website will automatically bring traffic.
The truth is, design alone does not bring traffic. What brings traffic is consistent, helpful content that matches what people are searching for, and a website that works properly and loads quickly.
In this post, I want to explain why simple, functional websites often outperform shiny, complicated setups, especially for beginners.
The Real Problem With “Shiny” Platforms
Shiny platforms and over-complicated websites usually introduce problems such as:
- More technical issues (errors, warnings, conflicts, updates breaking things)
- More time spent tweaking and fixing instead of publishing content
- More money spent on unnecessary add-ons and features
- More overwhelm and more reasons to stop
Most people do not fail online because their website is not pretty enough. They fail because they never publish enough useful content, or they quit before they gain momentum.
What Actually Brings Website Traffic
If you want traffic, focus on the fundamentals:
- Publishing regularly (even if it is simple content)
- Writing about relevant topics in your niche
- Solving real problems and answering real questions
- Being consistent over time
- Learning basic SEO and improving as you go
Some posts will get little or no traction. Others will do well. The key is to keep going long enough for your content to build up and for Google (and other platforms) to trust your site.
My Own Website Is Simple On Purpose
If you look at my main site, it is deliberately straightforward. It is mostly blog posts, categories, and a few links to tools I use.
The goal is not to impress people with design. The goal is to make it easy for visitors to find useful information and take the next step.
If you want to see an example of how I keep things practical and functional, you can also read this post about linking your sites together in a simple way:
How To Link All Your Websites Properly
You Can Build A Website In Minutes (And Improve It Over Time)
One of the reasons I like WordPress is that you can start with something basic and then improve it gradually as you learn more.
I have a full post showing how quickly you can create a website (without overthinking it):
How To Create A Website In 90 Seconds
The point is not that you must build it in 90 seconds. The point is that getting started is easier than most people think, and you can refine things later.
Using Wealthy Affiliate To Keep Things Simple
In the video that goes with this post, I also show the Wealthy Affiliate platform. It is not the only way to build a website, but it is one of the simplest options for beginners because it combines training, hosting, and tools in one place.
If you want to understand what Wealthy Affiliate actually is (and what you get inside), these posts may help:
- What Is Wealthy Affiliate? A Look Inside The Platform
- Wealthy Affiliate Tools Explained
- Why Wealthy Affiliate Training Really Works
I have also written a longer, updated review based on my experience as a long-term member:
Wealthy Affiliate Review After 11 Years
Simple Websites Support Simple Goals
Another reason I recommend keeping your website simple is that it helps you stay focused on the work that matters.
Instead of spending weeks trying to perfect a design, you can put that energy into publishing content and working towards realistic targets.
If you have not already seen it, this post ties in well with today’s topic:
Setting Realistic Money Goals For Your Online Business
A Practical Way To Think About It
If you are stuck deciding between “simple and functional” and “shiny and complicated,” here is a practical guideline:
- If a feature helps you publish content, keep it.
- If a feature distracts you, slows you down, or adds ongoing problems, remove it.
Your first website does not need to be perfect. It needs to exist, work properly, and allow you to publish consistently.
Final Thoughts
Simple websites still beat shiny platforms because they keep you focused on what brings results: useful content, consistency, and momentum.
If you are just starting out, give yourself permission to build something basic and improve it over time. Most successful websites were not perfect on day one. They grew because the owner kept showing up.
If you have any questions, feel free to leave a comment. I read them and I am always happy to help where I can.
Disclosure: Some links on this website may be affiliate links. If you choose to use them, it may result in a small commission for me at no extra cost to you. I only recommend tools and platforms I genuinely use or believe are useful.