Of course, you’re not looking forward to building your website.
I understand the frustration. You probably have an online business and feel the need to be online 24/7.
Building a website or simplifying the website process is not something you’re meant to do as your primary task! And the time you’re spending figuring out the tech is eating away your time to do the important things!
I tell non-clients especially that if you really want a website, work on these two things before a website:
1️⃣ Brand development/foundations
2️⃣ Marketing strategy
If you are planning to invest in a designer or an agency to work on your website and you’re looking to scale fast, then…
3️⃣ Yes, focus on your website next.
Remember! Don’t focus on the fancy features of your site! We will get to the reason why you should not do that later in the post. Before then, I’ll show you a few ways to get started, so that you’re able to launch your website with ease.
Sound cool?
Focus 1: Basic company knowledge
Please answer the following:
- Why have you formed your entity? (Other than earning money!)
- What do you stand for?
- Who do you primarily help?
- What problems do you solve for people?
- What are your services or products?
- What is the market like in the industry or work you’re looking to do?
Focus 2: Brand development
If you have experience in what you do, that’s a major plus.
Next, brand strategy takes away so much of the guessing.
We’re going to dig deeper from your basic company knowledge.
Some basics to answer:
- (Again) Why have you formed your entity? (Other than earning money!)
- (Again) What do you stand for?
- Why do you, the individual, exist?
- How do you sound to others?
- How are you improving someone’s life?
Focus 3: Marketing avenues
So now you’ve answered some of the questions. Now, what tools or systems will you be using to get your brand messaging across?
- Where are your people?
- How will you nurture the people that come across you?
Some examples of marketing avenues:
- Newsletters
- Social media (Facebook, LinkedIn, TikTok, Threads, X, etc.)
- Radio (I have to list that out too)
- Website
Focus 4: Building your website (One-pager version)
I intentionally left the website last since you may want to jump ahead. If you’re ready to start, here are the sections you can focus on:
- Why you got started
- How you are helping people
- What your company is
- The list of services and testimonials
- Contact form
That’s it. Best of all, this can be done as a one-page template; no need for multiple pages. We get to start somewhere for now.
The key is you’re not building out a fully decked-out website! Focus on your messaging, your story, your services/products, and your offer.
A plus if you’ve already focused your energy on social media or building that top of funnel.
Takeaways from simplifying the website process
The takeaways for you:
1. Prioritize Preparation Over Website Development
Brand Development: Understand and define your brand’s foundation before building a website.
Marketing Strategy: Develop a clear marketing strategy to guide your online presence.
2. Key Focus Areas Before Investing in a Website
Why Have You Formed Your Entity?: Understand your purpose beyond making money.
Core Values and Mission: Know what you stand for and who you primarily help.
Problem Solving: Identify the problems you solve and your offerings.
Future Goals: Set broad, long-term goals for your business.
Industry Insight: Understand the market conditions in your industry.
3. Importance of Brand Development
Deeper Understanding: Revisit your core questions to ensure clarity in your brand strategy.
Individual Purpose: Reflect on your personal reasons for existing in the business.
Communication Style: Determine how you sound to others.
Impact on Others: Highlight how you improve others’ lives.
4. Marketing Avenues to Consider
Tools and Systems: Identify the tools you’ll use to convey your brand message.
Audience Location: Know where your audience is and how you will engage them.
Examples: Newsletters, social media platforms, and even radio.
5. Simplified Website Approach
Basic Web Content: Focus on essential content like your origin story, how you help people, company overview, services, testimonials, and contact information.
One-Pager Template: Start with a single-page website template to minimize complexity.
Hands-Off Approach: Aim to make the website as low-maintenance as possible.
6, Emphasis on Messaging Over Design
Content Over Aesthetics: Prioritize clear messaging, your story, and your offerings over the design elements.
Social Media and Funnel Building: Focus energy on building your presence and audience on social media to create a strong top of funnel.