Your Go to Checklist for DIYing Your Website
Creating your website should have a strategy. You can outsource or create your own website, but you may not have a budget yet to pay someone.
Here is a checklist to help you create a successful and strategic DIY website!
☑ Step 1: Decide on the purpose of your website!
Are you trying to enhance customer experience, build exposure, sell a product, or be an expert in your field?
Once you know the mission of your website, you can move forward in planning with a vision in mind!
☑ Step 2: Research which platform to host your website on
Swapping platforms later can be tricky. It is a good idea to do your research now. Some popular platforms are Squarespace, Wix, WordPress, ShowIt, and Kajabi.
We like to use Squarespace due to the design customization features, but do your research and decide what will work best for you!
☑ Step 3: Plan out your pages
Once you have a mission and a platform, it’s time to decide what you want your website pages to be and what your viewers will want to see.
Be sure to include at least these features, but your specific business may need more:
- Services you offer: Make it clear as to what you can provide for your clients. You don’t want to lose a client because they don’t understand what you do.
- A way to Contact You: Don’t just leave your email address, but also create an easy to find form that encourages clients to contact you with any questions. Making this simple form keeps them from leaving your website confused.
- Freebie: Include free value through a newsletter that sends freebies or a blog full of great information. This gives clients a taste of what working with you would be like and keeps them coming back for more.
- A way to Stalk you: If they are enjoying what they see on your website, they will want to learn more about you. LInk all of your social media channels so that they can stay connected.
☑ Step 4: Clear Navigation
Your menu should be easily visible so that clients do not have to search around to find what they need.
☑ Step 5: Clear Concise Copy
When you are writing the copy for your website, make sure you have a clear message of what exactly you do on your homepage so that they know as soon as they get to your website.
Address the struggles the client may have and ways that you can help them with your product or service. Make sure that all of your copy points back to them. This helps you convert viewers into paying clients!
☑ Step 6: Photography
Taking time to have high quality photos allows your websites to stand out. If you are on a budget, see if you can find a photographer to trade your services or a friend that has a good camera that can help.
Another option is to have a friend take 3-5 good photos of you for your website, then use high quality stock photos from Unsplash or Pixabay for other content.
☑ Step 7: Design
94% of people judge a business off of their design. Be sure that your design is cohesive and not distracting for the client with too many colors or hard to read fonts.
If you want to make sure that you have a strategic website, we sell semi-customized Squarespace templates for you to use. Every temple we offer is strategically built to build connection with your vision, make you stand out in your market, and convert into paying clients.
