Do I Really Need a Website?

People expect that if you are a legitimate business, you will have a professional looking website which lays out the information they need to decide whether they want to work with you.

Review your website content a minimum of once a year to pull off outdated information, and add fresh and relevant content. Leaving your website unchanged for years will make your business appear dated, dusty, and disconnected.

Does It Have To Be Big and Fancy?

Start with the basic pages: Home, Services, About, Blog and Contact. As your company grows you can include more pages such as events/speaking or testimonials or special offers. Strive for a clean and uncluttered layout and design.

Common mistakes – way too many pages to sift through, lots of distracting special effects like videos that automatically play and slide shows that zip across the page. Keep Images relevant and sitting still!

Pro Tip: Did you know that Google can’t see images? It can only read text; so no, you can’t get away with just including lots of pretty pictures.

You Have to Supply The Content.

Whether you’re working alone, with a website designer or a small agency, you’ll like be the one to provide the content, so be prepared to write it yourself or to hire a writer.

The job of the content is not just to state facts. It’s also not meant to be a giant advertisement. Writing a website uses marketing skills to convey the information the reader needs, plus express the brand personality of your company.

What Are My Website Visitors Looking For?

Someone searching for what you do will review your website to find out:

  • What is the problem you solve and do you work with people like me? [home]
  • What can you do for me, how do you do it and will you be easy to work with? [services]
  • Who’s behind your company? What is your background/qualifications? [about]
  • How do I get in touch with you, or get started? [contact]
  • [blog] What else can you tell me that reveals your personality?

Here’s How to Frame the Content on Your Pages

HOME: The reader is wondering, “do they help people like me solve this issue?”

The spotlight is on making the reader confident that they’ve reached the right place.

  • Does this company understand my challenge?
  • Do they provide more than one solution for my problem?
  • Do they work with people in my situation?

Your job is to clearly state what you do and who you do it for.

SERVICES: The reader is wondering how you can solve their problem.

  • Do they have packages? How does this work?
  • Can I order a one-time service or do they require an ongoing contract?
  • Can they serve my local area or work virtually?

Describe your services and reveal a bit about your unique process. You don’t have to quote service prices on your website; keep in mind that as your prices change, that involves more frequent updating of that page.

ABOUT: People don’t choose a service provider until they learn about YOU.

Share who you are, your mission, your passion and how you got started.

CONTACT: Give the client more than one way to get in touch with you and state your process and preferences.

Do you prefer a phone call, text, email? This is the place for you to link your appointment-setting software.

Don’t forget to ask them to follow you on your preferred social media channels. And provide an easy way for them to subscribe to your email campaigns.

BLOG: This is the place where your unique value, your expertise and your personality shine!

Write about your customer stories, little-known facts about your industry, or anything else you feel might help to set you apart and give tremendous value to your customers. Blog a minimum of once a month, but if possible, 2 – 4 blogs per month is the goal.

Take Action

Start with baby steps – write your notes and thoughts right now. Experience the process of writing your website. Is it fun and empowering for you? Is it frustrating and stressful? It’s never easy, so I’m here to help. Write me a note if you’re considering hiring a writer.