Ready for a website? Do this first!
You finally put yourself out there and went to a networking event. You are loving meeting all these new people that could really use your services, but you have nowhere to send them to learn more about you and what you do.
You start feeling defeated, imposter syndrome kicks in and you think, “I seriously just need a website already.”
With no website you are lacking the online storefront that your business needs to have new and potential clients walking in the door.
So now that you know it is finally time to get your business the website it deserves…now what?
Get your domain!
I’m going to say it again: go and get your domain already. Don’t wait around while trying to figure out what website builder you want to use or what style or text you want to put on the website. Just go get it!
Once you get your domain. Next step will be figuring out your goal for your website and creating a client journey or your website visitor journey. Let’s get into this a little more!
Getting your domain name
This should be your very first step honestly even if you aren’t ready to have a website yet. It is best to go ahead and buy a domain before someone else buys it and you aren’t able to get your business name as your domain.
There are a lot of Domain Name Registrars out there to choose from and according to Forbes Advisor these are The 10 Best Domain Name Registrars of 2022 :
NameCheap
Domain.com
Google Domains (The one I use!)
Dreamhost
Hover
GoDaddy
Bluehost
HostGator
Network Solutions
BuyDomains
A lot of my clients have used GoDaddy for getting their domain.
I like to use Google Domains
I use google and gmail for everything else in my business that it just made sense to go with Google for my domain as well. My domain is very cheap. I only pay $12/year for my domain.
Squarespace Option
If you are using a website builder like Squarespace you can also get your domain through them, but I personally like to have my domain name separate just in case for some reason you decide to change builders in the future it would just require you to direct your domain to the new site instead of any extra headache of transferring the domain.
Now you're going to see options for .com, .co, .org, etc. Just go ahead and try for the .com version because everything always uses .com. Keep it simple.
However .co has become very popular lately and I had a photography client who actually went with .art and I haven’t heard her have any issues yet.
This is a very simple process and requires no overthinking. Just pick your domain pay and you’re all set!
Got your domain. Now set a goal for your website
Getting your domain is the technical side of what you need to do first. Setting goals and a journey is the first step when it comes to the strategy of your website.
First ask yourself, “What do I want to get out of my website?”
What is the overall goal of your website?
To generate more leads?
To give clients more information about your services?
To have clients book straight from your website?
To build an audience through content?
Setting the goal for your website is about what you want your website to do FOR YOU, FOR YOUR BUSINESS. The next step is setting a client (or website visitor) journey FOR YOUR IDEAL CLIENT.
So let’s say that again.
The overall website goal is FOR YOU and your business goals.
The client journey is for your IDEAL CLIENT.
Got the domain. Your website goal. Now it’s time to set your client journey on your website.
This is going to create a nice flow to your website. On the home page you need between 2-3 CTAs (Calls To Action). This is what you want your ideal client (website visitor) to do next on your website.
Time to do a little role playing here! Master your inner “Viola Davis” (I mean How To Get Away With Murder, yes please!) Ok I’m coming back!
Let’s become our ideal client. If you have an ideal client brief read over before you tackle this part. Get inside the mind of your ideal client and ask yourself what they need, want, like and don’t like.
So let’s bring this around to the ideal client (website visitor) journey. When looking to hire someone for their services what are you (as the ideal client) looking for?
Trust?
Credibility?
Skill Capability?
Personality?
Is your client the type that…
wants to know who they work with? - About Page
wants to make sure you can match their style and vision? - Portfolio Page
wants to work with someone who can get them results? - Testimonials or Case Studies
wants to know more information about the process? - Services Page
Like I mentioned above these can be your main CTAs (Calls To Action) on your home page.
My client journey is About - Portfolio - Services.
My overall goal is to have clients inquire and book a discovery call with me through my website.
So my services page has the detailed inquiry form at the end, and not on the contact page, because I want them to end up on the services page. They get all their information and are ready to inquire without having to navigate to another page.
I build the awareness through my about page, the trust & credibility through the portfolio page and inform & inquire through the services page.
Conclusion. Let’s wrap this up!
You’ve finally decided it is about time your business got a website and let’s face it your business needs it and deserves it! But now what…
Get your domain
Set a goal for your website - with YOU, your business in mind
Set a journey for your website visitor - with your IDEAL CLIENT in mind
Once you’ve done these quick steps you can move into the bulk of starting your website. Ahh “I’m getting overwhelmed already!”
Don’t worry I got you!
I’ve created a blog post along with a Website Starter Guide to get you started on your website journey. Ready to take the next step?
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