Beyond The Systems Podcast | Business Systems & Growth Strategies For Your Online Business

Why Your Aesthetic Website Isn't Converting (And How to Fix It) with Shannon Pruitt [Ep 78]

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May 13, 2025

Shannon Pruitt, the founder of Sunday Muse Design, specializes in helping women entrepreneurs create compelling brands. She shares her journey from wedding planner to branding expert, stressing that a website is essential for business survival. Shannon dives into the art of strategic branding, discussing how to choose effective design elements and why simplicity boosts conversions. She advocates for a copy-first approach and offers practical tips for those starting DIY branding. Join her as she unveils the secrets to turning a pretty site into a client-attracting powerhouse.

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ANECDOTE

Pivot From Weddings To Branding

Shannon left a successful wedding planning business in 2021 because she was tired of nights and weekends. She pivoted to branding after noticing talented vendors lost clients due to outdated websites.

INSIGHT

Website As Survival, Not Luxury

Shannon argues a brand and website are not a luxury but survival for small businesses with limited marketing budgets. A strategic website must do heavy lifting or it will hold the business back.

ADVICE

Build Strategy Before Design

Start branding and web work with strategy: define who you serve and what decisions they make. Use that strategy to inform fonts, colors, and site structure before designing.

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Shannon Pruitt, founder of Sunday Muse Design, joins us to break down everything you need to know about strategic branding and web design. They dive deep into why your website isn't just a luxury—it's survival for your business. Shannon shares her journey from wedding planner to brand designer, revealing how she discovered the critical link between outdated websites and lost clients.

Key takeaways from this episode:

Why you need to approach branding with strategy, not just pretty colors
The intentional process behind choosing fonts, colors, and design elements
How to simplify your website for better conversion rates (one client doubled their inquiries in 3-4 months!)
The debate behind copy vs. design first (Shannon's firmly in the copy-first camp)
Practical tips for DIY branding when you're just starting out
The importance of tracking where your clients actually come from

Shannon drops truth bombs about attention spans (apparently we've got 47 seconds now), why she hates the word "clarity," and how to create a brand that doesn't just look good—it works hard for your business. Whether you're starting from scratch or ready to elevate your existing brand, this episode gives you the strategic foundation to make it happen.

Resources from this episode:

Shannon’s Newsletter: You can join her weekly newsletter where she shares practical branding tips, website advice, and behind-the-scenes insights from real client projects. Just visit sundaymusedesign.com/newsletter to sign up!

More about Shannon Pruitt:

Shannon Pruitt is the founder of Sunday Muse Design, a strategic branding and web design studio for women entrepreneurs who refuse to blend in. Since 2015, she's built multiple businesses, but branding? That's where she thrives. With a sharp eye for design, a no-BS approach to brand strategy, and a deep understanding of what makes businesses actually convert, Shannon helps service providers, boutique businesses, and course creators build brands that command attention—and get results.

Connect with Shannon Pruitt:

Website: http://www.sundaymusedesign.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sundaymusedesign
Threads: https://www.threads.net/@sundaymusedesign

Connect with Sam:

Website: https://www.systemswithsam.com/services
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/systemswithsam/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samwhiz/