Why It’s So Hard to Stand Out (and How to Do It Anyway)

You know how sometimes on threads people will post "I'm in search of a {insert service provider here}?" Well, I almost always tap in when someone is looking for a web designer. But I never reply for this exact reason...

I always see how other designers are showing up and offering their services. And as I scrolled, I noticed nearly every single designer was saying the exact same thing. Something to the extent of:

“I build clean, user-friendly websites that help you make money.”

And it made me pause.

Because here’s the thing: It’s not wrong to say that. It’s true, and it’s important. But it's exactly what I could and do say.

And when everyone says the same thing, we all become invisible.

It made me realize how hard — but also how necessary — it is to stand out, especially in saturated industries like website design, social media management, photography, copywriting, or coaching.

Heck, nearly ALL online services.

Because if your services sound like everyone else’s, your potential clients can’t tell why they should hire you.

And when you’re competing in a sea of “clean, user-friendly websites that help you make money,” blending in becomes the fastest way to get overlooked.

Why It’s So Hard to Stand Out

It’s not your fault if you feel like you sound like everyone else.

We’re taught to follow what’s working, and it can feel scary to use your own words or positioning when you’re not sure if people will resonate with it.

It’s also easy to think you’re standing out because you’ve designed a pretty website or used a trendy tagline, but if it’s the same promise everyone else is making, it still blends into the noise.

Standing out isn’t about being loud, dramatic, or edgy for the sake of it. It’s about:

• Clarity in what you offer and who it’s for

• Proof that you can deliver what you say you will

• Personality so people connect with you as a human

• Positioning that highlights what makes your work different

How to Actually Stand Out in a Saturated Industry

If you want your website and business to stand out, here are a few practical ways to start:

1️⃣ Show Your Track Record

Don’t just say you build websites that convert — show it. Share screenshots of projects, before-and-after comparisons, analytics improvements, and customer quotes that highlight the experience of working with you.

Your results tell a better story than generic promises.

2️⃣ Use Your Own Voice

If your social posts, website copy, or emails sound like AI wrote them, it’s time to infuse your real voice back in.

Let your quirks, humor, warmth, or edge shine. People buy from people, not faceless brands.

3️⃣ Say What Others Won’t

Don’t be afraid to share your process, your values, or who you aren’t for.

Clarity repels the wrong clients (saving you time) and attracts the right ones who resonate with your approach.

4️⃣ Teach Generously

One of the best ways to stand out is to help people before they ever pay you.

Share your insights, frameworks, or quick wins on social media, your blog, or your email list. When people see you as a trusted expert, you stay top of mind.

5️⃣ Position Yourself Differently

If everyone else is saying “clean, user-friendly websites” (or whatever that is for your industry), what can you say that reflects your unique approach?

Positioning yourself differently doesn’t mean you ignore the need for clean, user-friendly websites. It means you frame it in a way that feels like you and highlights the unique transformation you provide.

Walk to the Beat of Your Own Drum

In a repetitive, oversaturated world, walking to the beat of your own drum is what helps people find you in the noise.

Standing out is scary because it means you’re stepping away from the crowd, but it’s also what creates connection and trust with your audience.

And when you’re competing with dozens (or hundreds) of other service providers, it’s the only way to build a business that people remember and want to refer.

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Ready to Transform Your Website Into an Experience That Helps You Stand Out?

If you want your website to do more than just “look clean” and actually connect with your clients, it starts with intentional planning, clear messaging, and design choices that feel like you.

My DIY Website Workbook will walk you through how to transform your website into an experience that stands out—so it can attract the right people, reflect your brand, and work for your business (even in a saturated market).

You don’t need to guess what to put on your site or worry about sounding like everyone else. You just need the right roadmap.

✨ Click here to check out the Website Workbook and start building a website that helps you stand out. ✨ below or send me a DM—I’d love to continue this conversation with you.