Why You Shouldn’t Hold Back on Web Design and Marketing—Even in an Uncertain Economy

by Adam Inlay | Mar 23, 2025 | Business

We’re going to be honest right from the start: yes, we’re a web design and digital marketing agency. So of course we believe in the power of branding, strong web presence, and strategy-driven marketing. It’s what we do, and we’ve seen it work repeatedly. But we also know that marketing is often the first place businesses pull back when business slows or the economy gets rocky. That’s completely understandable—but it can also be a costly mistake.

Investing in your brand when the economy feels unpredictable may feel counterintuitive, but it’s one of the smartest moves you can make. Why? Because visibility, credibility, and trust don’t just happen on their own. They’re built. And in tough markets, the brands that stay active and visible are the ones that customers remember when they’re ready to buy.

So while we fully admit we’re biased, we’re also basing this on years of working with businesses through upswings, downturns, and everything in between. If you stick with us through this article, we’re confident you’ll see why holding back might be the real risk—and why doubling down on your digital presence could be the competitive edge your business needs right now.

The Default Reaction: Play It Safe and Cut Marketing

When there’s uncertainty in the air—higher interest rates, inflation, slower sales—many business owners shift into protection mode. They review expenses, evaluate subscriptions, and start trimming anything that doesn’t provide an immediate return. Marketing and design often get lumped in with things like office snacks or software trials: nice to have, but not “essential.” The irony? Marketing is one of the few investments that has the potential to bring in more business when you need it most.

What often gets overlooked is that your brand’s visibility and reputation don’t freeze just because your spending does. If you slow or stop your efforts while your competitors keep going, they fill the vacuum you leave behind. Customers who would have found you online now discover someone else. That moment of hesitation becomes their moment of opportunity.

It’s natural to want to minimize risk. But the businesses that pull back too far often find themselves scrambling to catch up once the market picks back up. Marketing is not like flipping a switch—it’s more like pushing a flywheel. Once it’s moving, it builds momentum, but if you stop pushing, it slows down fast. Instead of stopping the wheel entirely, a better move might be to refine your strategy, get smarter with your spending, and focus on the things that move the needle.

In a Shaky Economy, Trust Is Everything

When people are being more cautious with their spending, they naturally become more selective. It’s not just about price—it’s about confidence. Customers want to feel sure they’re spending their money wisely, and that often comes down to how much they trust the business they’re dealing with.

That trust starts long before someone picks up the phone or fills out a contact form. It begins with how you show up online. A clean, professional-looking website makes your business feel credible. Branding that’s consistent and thoughtful suggests you care about quality. A well-maintained social presence tells people you’re active and in touch. Even things like your Google reviews, mobile experience, and site speed can influence whether a potential customer decides to give you a shot.

In unpredictable times, trust becomes the differentiator. Someone might be comparing three local businesses for the same service—and the one that looks put together sounds professional, and responds quickly is usually the one that wins the job. The truth is, you could offer the same service at the same price as your competitor, but if your digital presence feels outdated or disconnected, you’re going to lose people before you ever have the chance to talk to them.

That’s why branding and visibility aren’t just about looking good—they’re about earning trust. And in a shaky economy, that trust is the currency that drives every sale.

Your Website Is More Than Just a Digital Brochure

Gone are the days when a website was just a place to list your hours and maybe show a few photos. Today, your website is your brand’s first impression, sales conversation, and customer service hub—all rolled into one. And when people land on your site, they make a snap judgment in seconds about whether you’re the right fit for what they need.

If your website is clunky, slow, hard to navigate, or looks like it hasn’t been updated since 2015, that impression can be tough to recover from. Even if your services are top-notch. Visitors don’t just want a site that “works.” They expect fast load times, clear messaging, mobile responsiveness, and intuitive navigation. They want to find the information they need quickly and feel like they’re dealing with a legitimate, modern business.

From a performance standpoint, your website should also do more than sit there. It should be actively working to generate leads, answer common questions, guide visitors to take action, and reflect the quality of your work. Contact forms, booking tools, reviews, case studies, and calls to action are all essential parts of that experience. And let’s not forget about your backend structure—it matters just as much for SEO and visibility as it does for usability.

When done right, your website isn’t just an expense—it’s a growth tool. One that’s working 24/7 to connect with customers, drive conversions, and build confidence in your brand.

Why SEO Is Not Optional Anymore

Imagine having the best product or service in your area—but nobody can find you. That’s what it’s like to have a website without SEO. It might look great, but it’s not doing the job if it isn’t showing up when people search for what you offer.

Search Engine Optimization isn’t just about keywords anymore. It’s about understanding how people look for services, how Google prioritizes content, and how to create pages that offer value and performance. That includes site structure, page speed, mobile-friendliness, metadata, heading tags, and even how content is written. Every detail affects your ability to rank higher—and get seen first.

And here’s the thing: SEO doesn’t work overnight. It’s a long-term investment, which is exactly why now is the time to lean in. If you delay, you’re essentially handing that top-ranking real estate over to your competitors. The earlier you start, the faster you gain traction.

Also, local SEO is more important than ever for small businesses. Google looks at proximity, reviews, relevance, and content quality when determining which businesses show up in map packs or local results. If your site isn’t optimized, your business won’t show up when someone nearby searches for what you do—even if you’re right down the street.

With search behavior constantly evolving, SEO isn’t just an option. It’s a necessity if you want your business to thrive online.

The Future Is Already Here, Google’s SGE Is Changing the Game

Google’s Search Generative Experience (SGE) is reshaping how people interact with search results—and it’s not some future trend. It’s happening now. SGE uses AI to generate detailed, conversational answers directly in the search results. For users, this means fewer clicks and quicker answers. For businesses, it means your content needs to be ready to earn its spot in that AI-generated snapshot.

What does this mean in practice? Your content must be deeply relevant, well-structured, and trusted. It’s no longer enough to write surface-level blogs or stuff your pages with keywords. Google’s AI pulls data from multiple high-authority sources to create synthesized responses. If your site isn’t recognized as an authority—or if your content isn’t clear and structured—you could be excluded from that summary entirely.

The good news? Businesses that invest now in high-quality, helpful, and optimized content can gain an edge. If you write content that answers real questions, is easy to read, and matches what users are actually searching for, you’re more likely to get pulled into that featured section.

SGE rewards brands that think ahead and create content built for both humans and algorithms. It’s no longer just about showing up on Page 1—it’s about being part of the answer before users even decide to click.

If your SEO strategy isn’t adapting for AI-powered search, you’re already behind.

Social Media Still Matters—But Strategy Matters More

In a world where people are constantly scrolling, your brand’s social media presence is often the first touchpoint—and sometimes the only one. But just being on social media isn’t enough anymore. What matters is how you show up.

Posting randomly, or only when you have something to promote, doesn’t cut it. Consistency, clarity, and value are what build engagement and trust. Your audience wants content that feels relevant, authentic, and informative—not just sales pitches. Whether it’s educational posts, behind-the-scenes looks, customer success stories, or short-form videos, the goal is to build a relationship with your followers over time.

You don’t need to be on every platform—just the right ones for your audience. For some, that’s Instagram and Facebook. For others, it might be LinkedIn, YouTube, or even TikTok. What’s more important than the platform is the message. What are you saying? Are you staying on-brand? Are you engaging with your followers or just broadcasting into the void?

Pairing your organic social strategy with paid efforts like boosted posts or targeted ads can amplify your reach without breaking the bank. It’s one of the few marketing tactics that allows for hyper-targeting—by interest, behavior, or location.

When done right, social media becomes a real driver of leads, awareness, and loyalty. And in an uncertain economy, building community around your brand can create stability that advertising alone can’t buy.

Digital Ads? Still a Smart Move (When Done Right)

There’s a reason digital advertising hasn’t gone away—it works. But only when it’s done with a clear strategy and a strong foundation. Ads aren’t magic. They don’t fix a broken website or bad branding. But when combined with everything else we’ve talked about—good design, smart messaging, and a trustworthy online presence—ads can accelerate your growth.

What makes digital advertising so valuable, especially in an uncertain economy, is control. You control who sees your ads, where they appear when they run, and how much you spend. Whether you’re using Google Ads to reach people actively searching or running retargeting campaigns on Facebook and Instagram to stay in front of warm leads, digital ads let you meet people exactly where they are in their buying journey.

What’s also important is the data. Every ad impression, click, and conversion can be tracked. That allows you to adjust quickly, scale what works, and cut what doesn’t. Compare that to traditional marketing, where you might never know what drove the call or sale.

That said, digital ads only work when the entire journey is aligned. If your ad sends people to a confusing landing page, or your website loads slowly, you’re wasting money. That’s why we never look at ads in isolation—they’re one piece of a bigger ecosystem designed to drive leads and build trust.

So Yes, We’re Biased—But We’re Also Right

We’ve said it before, and we’ll say it again: yes, we’re biased. But we’re also speaking from years of experience. We’ve worked with startups, small businesses, and national brands through every kind of market condition. And the patterns are clear: the brands that keep showing up—strategically and consistently—are the ones that come out stronger.

When others pull back, the visibility gap widens. That’s your chance to step forward. And we’re not talking about reckless spending—we’re talking about focused investment. Updating your website, improving your SEO, refining your messaging, showing up consistently on social, and running ads that make sense for your goals. It all adds up.

We’re not just here to build pretty websites or run flashy ad campaigns. We’re here to help you build something that lasts. Something that works hard for your business every single day, even when you’re not watching.

Don’t Wait for Things to Settle—Build Now

There’s no perfect time to invest in your brand. Waiting for the economy to stabilize might feel safer, but by then, the opportunity to get ahead may have passed. What feels uncertain now could be the exact moment your business needs to stand out.

The brands that succeed long-term are the ones that stay visible, stay helpful, and stay ready. Investing in your website, your strategy, and your presence now lays the foundation for growth later.

So if you’ve been waiting for a sign—this is it. Let’s talk about how we can help your business get ahead, even when the market feels unpredictable.

We’re here when you’re ready.

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Let’s talk about your business goals and how we can help you get there.

Watch Out for the Domain Networks Scam – Fake Invoices That Could Cost You $289

by Adam Inlay | Feb 1, 2025 | Business

If you own a website, you might get a letter that looks like an invoice for your domain renewal. It includes your business name, website, and a request for payment. The amount? $289. Many business owners assume it’s a bill and pay it without a second thought.

That’s the scam.

We have had multiple clients reach out about this. The sender, Domain Networks, is not your domain registrar. The fine print on the letter says it’s a solicitation, not a bill. But it’s easy to miss that detail. If you pay, you’re not renewing your domain—you’re paying for an unnecessary business directory listing.

How the Domain Networks Scam Works

Domain Networks mails invoices that look like official domain renewal notices. These letters include details about your website, giving them an appearance of legitimacy. The invoice says you owe $289 for “listing maintenance.” Business owners often assume this is a required fee to keep their domain active.

It’s not.

Your actual domain registrar—whether it’s us here at Adam Inlay Web Design and Marketing, Cloudflare Domains, Squarespace Domains, or another provider—does not charge for directory listings. They only charge for domain renewals. If you pay Domain Networks, you don’t renew your domain. You pay for a listing on their obscure business directory, which has no value.

How to Spot the Red Flags

Scammers count on you to act fast without verifying the invoice. Here’s what to look for:

• Misleading Invoice Format: It looks like a bill but isn’t. Read the fine print. There is a disclaimer that it is a solicitation.
• High Price – Domain renewals typically cost between $8 and $25 per year. This invoice asks for $289.
• No Connection to Your Registrar – If you registered your domain through GoDaddy, Google Domains, or another provider, you should only renew it there.
• Pressure to Pay Quickly – Scammers rely on urgency. If you feel pressured, take a step back and verify.

What to Do if You Get One of These Letters

• Ignore It – You don’t need to respond or pay. It’s not a real bill.
• Verify Your Domain Renewal – Log into your actual domain provider. Check your renewal date and update your payment info if needed.
• Educate Your Team – If employees handle billing, let them know about this scam so they don’t mistakenly pay it.

Why This Scam Works

Scammers use public domain registration data to make their invoices look legitimate. If your domain’s contact information is public, scammers can scrape it and use it in these fake invoices.

Even tech-savvy business owners have fallen for it. The invoices look professional and convincing. Many assume they’re just paying to keep their website online.

How to Protect Yourself in the Future

• Make Sure Your Domain Is Private – If your domain is publicly registered, scammers can easily find your contact details. Enable domain privacy through your registrar to block access to your information.
• Know Where Your Domain Is Registered – Keep a record of your registrar’s login details so you always know where to renew.
• Stay Skeptical of Unsolicited Invoices – Always verify unexpected bills before paying. If you’re unsure, check with your web developer or domain provider.

Have You Already Paid?

If you already sent money to Domain Networks, you may not be able to get it back. You can try disputing the charge with your bank or credit card provider. Let them know it was a misleading solicitation, not a legitimate invoice.

Final Thoughts

These scams aren’t new, but they keep working because they look real. Business owners get overwhelmed with paperwork, and an invoice for a domain renewal seems like something they should pay. Take a moment to verify before sending money.

Do you need help managing your website or domain? Adam Inlay Web Design and Marketing LLC offers expert website management services. Visit our consultation page for questions or to schedule a free consultation.