Worst the meta — what would you do?

For context, I am working with a pretty modest budget so high-end suggestions probably will not land. Long-time lurker, first-time poster. I tried three different approaches and none of them felt quite right.

Looking for honest feedback, not validation. Not sure if this is the right place to ask, mods please remove if it is not. For context, I am working with a pretty modest budget so high-end suggestions probably will not land.

Mostly thinking out loud — feel free to push back hard.