Why “Buy Now, Pay Later” Could Wreck YourBusiness Dreams—and How to Dodge the Trap
A Facebook post to a WordPress-related community read, "I had a prospective client ask me if I offered any kind of financing, like through Affirm or Klarna. I had to admit that I don’t. Is anyone here doing this? Is there a downside to doing this? I’m wary of this idea. Just seems weird to do for websites." It sparked great conversation, and I was pleased to see the responses were largely in agreement with me--avoid BNPL. But, it's important to know why.
Listen up, folks. In a world where everything’s just a click away, “Buy Now, Pay Later” schemes are popping up everywhere.
They promise to make big purchases feel like no big deal—
split it into easy payments,
no credit check drama,
and boom, you’ve got what you want without the upfront sting.
But here’s the raw truth: what looks like a shortcut is often a detour straight into debt quicksand. And as someone who’s been in the throws of debt, my husband got us out of it using rock-solid financial principles, I’m here to help you stay away from that mess and be the hero you’re meant to be for your clients.
Your business success story shouldn’t start with a plot twist of regret.
The Villain in Your Story: The Sneaky Allure of BNPL
You’re the hero of your business journey, chasing growth, leads, and that killer online presence. But BNPL? It’s the sneaky villain whispering, “You deserve this now.” No full payment upfront means less immediate pain, so your brain tricks you into impulse buys you’d never make if you had to cough up the cash right away.
Worse, these plans scatter your debt like confetti. One purchase here, another there—suddenly you’re tracking multiple due dates, and …missing one?
Bam!
Late fees, sky-high interest, or a credit score hit that haunts your future loans.
Entrepreneur Patrick Bet-David has argued BNPL can be sneakier than credit cards because at least with a card, you stare down one big balance. Here, your obligations hide in plain sight across apps, making it easy to lose control.
It happens all the time: aspiring business owners bite off more than they can chew, thinking small payments equal small risk. Spoiler: They don’t. Debt like this doesn’t just cost money—it steals your peace and handcuffs your cash flow.
The Hero: A Debt-Free Approach
I’m Rhonda Negard, founder of Fat Dog Creatives, and, thanks to my husband, we live by the Dave Ramsey playbook: Debt is dumb. Cash is king. (Of course, there’s some nuance there that anyone not familiar with Dave’s approach would miss, which is why I encourage you to learn.) If a client tells me they’re eyeing BNPL for a website project, I hit the brakes hard. If you can’t pay cash, let’s rethink this. A website should launch your success, not launch you into debt.
That’s why my process is built to keep you—the hero—empowered and debt-free:
- 100% Upfront for Straightforward Projects: Pay once, and I dive in fully committed. No distractions, no chasing invoices—just pure focus on crafting a site that engages your visitors.
- Phased Payments for Bigger Builds: We break it into three clear stages. You pay for phase one before we start, crush it, then move to phase two. It’s like building your site brick by brick, without borrowing a dime.
- If It Doesn’t Fit, No Sweat: Budget too tight? Timeline off? I’ll refer you to another designer who’s a better match. Because forcing a fit with debt? That’s no way to win.
I’m not just building websites; I’m guiding you to smart decisions that protect your story’s happy ending.
The Plan: Simple Steps to Avoid the BNPL Pitfall
You don’t need fancy financing to build an online empire. Here’s your three-step plan to stay in control:
- Clarify Your Problem: Admit if BNPL tempts you—it’s a sign your budget needs a reality check. Scale back the scope: Start with a sleek landing page instead of a full e-commerce beast.
- Call Your Guide: Reach out to me. We’ll map out a custom plan that fits your cash on hand. No debt, no drama—just results.
- Execute and Succeed: Pay as you go, watch your site go live, and see the leads roll in. Delay if needed—save up or bootstrap with a basic template until revenue flows.
What Happens If You Ignore This? (The Failure to Avoid)
Skip this advice, and BNPL could turn your dream site into a nightmare. Hidden fees eat profits, missed payments tank credit, and scattered debt chokes your flexibility. Your business stalls while you’re juggling bills instead of building.
But When You Win… (The Success You Deserve)
Ditch BNPL, and you’re the boss of your cash flow. No surprises, no stress—just a flexible, high-performing website that grows with you. You’ll sleep better, scale faster, and keep your financial future wide open.
Bottom line: If you can’t buy it now with cash, wait.
Your business story deserves a triumphant arc, not a tragic fall.
Ready to write yours the right way?
Let’s chat—debt-free and drama-free.