5 Things To Consider Before Investing In A Website
Before you fork out thousands on a flashy new site or invest time and energy in creating your own... it’s worth taking a minute to ask yourself a few simple questions.
If you have a message, mission or purpose that you wanna share with the world that you should have a website.
And when optimised in the right way using:
keywords
user-friendly design
original content
Your website has the potential to work harder than you at generating money.
If you are looking to create a website for your business then you might wanna know... that according to website builder Weebly, 56% of people don’t trust businesses that don’t have a website.
Source: cebcreative.co.uk. Article, Will I lose business without a website?
Not to mention, we live in a world where people expect to find what they want at the click of a button.
So, imagine this…
Your dream customer is online searching for the solution to their problem and can’t find you…
They type in their problems… the exact problems that you solve… and your name is nowhere to be found…
According to Media Agency WebFX in their article SEO Statistics That Will Transform Your Strategy
Source: WebFX.com. Article: 15+ SEO Statistics From This Year That Will Transform Your Strategy
Now, the goal over time, is to have your website appear on page 1 of Google and near the very top.
So, you might be watching this because you don’t have a website yet and you’re wondering do I need a website for my business?
Well, you’re in luck because here are 5 things to consider before investing in a website.
THIS VIDEO WILL HELP YOU WRITE AN ABOUT PAGE WORTH SHOUTING ABOUT! 3 SIMPLE STEPS TO MAKE THE CREATION PROCESS EASIER. WATCH IT HERE!
OK, let’s dive in!
Here are 5 things to consider before investing in a website
Ask yourself…
1. Why do I need a website?
2. How will my company use the website?
3. What are the things I most value in a website?
4. What features do I want it to have?
5. How many pages will I need/products and services do I offer?
OK, let’s explore each one a little more detail
1. Why do you need a website?
I know this sounds simple and in most cases, the answer is obvious but still write it down and get clear.
Here’s the thing, not every business needs a website.
According to a survey carried out by Pollfish in August 2021:
Source: Digital.com Article: Despite The Pandemic 1 in 4 small retail businesses still don’t have a website
Now if you already have a website and you’re considering getting a new one or refreshing it, ask yourself:
Why do you need a new one?
Are you rebranding?
Does your existing website not work?
Do you need it to provide a different service or work in a different way?
You’re offering new products and services that you feel would benefit from a new website.
You’ve decided to generate more leads on your website and increase conversions
You’ll wanna get clear on why having a website will be of value to you and your customers.
This post will help you get started. It walks you through the 5 things to get clear on before starting your online business. And knowing the needs of your customers is key. READ IT HERE
2. How will your company use the website?
For example ~
Do you need it to be a destination point - a place you point people to
Do you need to sell products online or generate traffic and leads to sell your services?
Also, this question should encourage you to think a little bigger…
How will your customers use your website?
Will they buy through your site or fill out an enquiry form?
Will you have a members area or a forum where members of your community can get together and engage?
Knowing how you will use your website will inspire the design.
IF YOU'D LIKE TO TALK ABOUT THE BEST WAYS TO LEVERAGE YOUR WEBSITE SO IT ATTRACTS MORE DREAM CUSTOMERS AND GENERATES MORE LEADS GET IN TOUCH
3. What are the things you value most in a website?
Think about the design features you like to see online. And then span out and ask your customers to see if they agree or appreciate the same.
Consider things like:
Ease of use
Is it responsive to different devices?
Is it easy to update?
Is the blog integrated or separate?
Will it connect to your social media handles or not?
Does it have a CRM integration ( which is a customer relationship management system)?
Will it encourage list building and support email marketing?
Are the analytics easy to get and understand?
If you’re unsure about this then ask your ideal customers what they look for when they shop and browse online, especially in your niche, sector or industry.
4. What features do you want your website to have?
Now that you know how your website will be used and the things you value most... it’s time to think about the engaging ways you can display your copy and visual assets.
Will your website use sliders?
Will you have videos or audio files?
Will you need contact forms?
Will it have social feeds?
Do you want your visitors to sign up for newsletters or download resources?
Will you have a FAQ section?
These features will impact design. So, get clear on what you’d like to incorporate at this stage. Then build and flesh out your website as your business develops and grows.
5. How many pages will you need and how many products and services will you offer?
Typically speaking, the more content that’s needed the pricier it will be.
This is why, from a copywriting perspective ~
I encourage my clients to write all their website copy first in a Google doc.
Get all your ideas, thoughts and intentions for your website out on the page. Then edit and refine those BEFORE your choose your website template or reach out to a web designer.
Have a clear vision of your target audience; their struggle, pain point or desire.
Then you can share your story, message and solution in a way that resonates with them.
Once you know what you want to say ~ a.k.a. the words you want to write on the web... You can choose the right visual assets; images, videos and audio files to embellish the narrative.
THEN it’s time to reach out to a website developer or look for a website template that will embody your whole brand story, positioning and purpose.
WATCH THIS VIDEO! IT WALKS YOU THROUGH HOW TO CREATE YOUR WEBSITE IN 7 EASY STEPS MINUS THE OVERWHELM!
And there you have, 5 things to consider before investing in a website.
The truth is some businesses are thriving offline without a website.
It’s really up to you to work out the significance and purpose of having a website.
I think every personal brand and small creative and spiritual business should occupy a little corner of the web that they own and have full control over... And the only way to do that is to have a website.
Use these tips to get started.
And now I would love to hear from you!
I'd love to know...
Do you have a website, yes or no?
If not, why not? What's the one thing stopping you from making progress in this area?
And, if the answer is yes but you'd like to change parts of it... What would it be and why?
Share your answers with me in the comments so I can help you move forward.
Till next time
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