Pretty isn't a strategy

You need a graphic out in an hour. It comes back at the end of the day, beautiful. Meanwhile the moment has passed. Pretty isn't a strategy. Getting the message to the right people is.

The one-hour job that took all day

Good designers care about their craft, and that's exactly why you hire them. But perfectionism is human nature, and it's easy for all of us to get lost in our own self-importance. Hours go into details nobody asked for.

Will it get you the extra booking?

That's the question to stop and ask. Is it conveying the message? That's the most important thing. Whether it has a blue stripe, a green stripe, a pink stripe or no stripe at all won't change whether someone books.

People are forgiving

Look at how many mistakes slip through on digital media. Spelling errors on the websites of major newspapers. Most readers notice, shrug and keep reading. People are far more forgiving than a design meeting assumes.

You can debate subjective opinions till the cows come home. While you do, nobody in the room is thinking about the audience. And what does the audience care about? Getting to their information.

The flow beats the finish

Technology and graphic design have their place. More important is UX (user experience): the logical flow. Can someone land on your page, understand it, and take the next step without thinking? That's the nerd bit worth obsessing over. Every piece of your site needs a reason, and every piece is a tactic for your strategy.

Done and clear beats perfect and late.

More on the basics that matter: Do you really need to rebuild your website? →

Written October 2026.

Written by Brad, CM (Chief Maverick), Maverick Digital. Checked first by Anne Audit.19 October 2026 · 2.48 p.m.

Every idea here is mine, sorted with Claude's help.