Design a website: Is it just a brochure or a great sales tool?
When it comes to websites and service-based businesses I work with, I often hear business owners say something like “I just need to get something up.”
The thinking is to be that selling happens in person and that handing out a business card with a web address on it offers that last “oomph” of credibility to make a sale. In other words, the website itself isn’t a sales tool — it’s more like an alibi.
“I swear my business is legal and I am who I say I am!”
But your website can be so much more than proof of identity. You are unique. Your business is unique. If you get most of your work from meeting people and word of mouth — and “never from my website” — you have to admit it’s a little bit of a catch 22.
When you don’t put care, thought, and strategy to what you’re putting online to represent your business, then you aren’t likely to attract or convert new leads through your website.
But that doesn’t mean you aren’t missing out on prospects who are looking for the exact solutions you provide.
Website as a salesperson
What if your website could act like a salesperson — a salesperson who never sleeps and is always there to tell a prospect 1) why your business is the best choice and 2) what they can expect when they hire you. Your website can be the ultimate sales pitch.
Imagine your website is you. Now picture yourself — the website you, that is, sitting in a lobby along with your competitor’s websites. And you’re all waiting to interview for the same job. The hiring manager knows nothing about you or your competitors. What first impression will she get when she looks at the website you?
You might be the most qualified for the job. But is the website you dressing the part? Does it know to say hello and shake hands? Will the interviewer be intrigued and want to learn more?
When it’s your turn to interview, you’ll want to tell the hiring manager everything about you.
BUT remember, you are your website, here. You can only use the words written on your pages. Do you know what to say first? Do you have enough and the right kind of words on your website to convince this decision-maker that you’re the right fit?
Remember, a lot of your competitors are going to be saying the exact same thing you are. Has the website you thought through your differentiators so you can position yourself as an industry leader, stand out from the crowd, and win the job?
With a little thinking, you can get more out of your website than just proof that your business exists. When a website’s job is to attract new leads, it IS your sales person. It works to put you in the best light, and it does all the talking for you.
You want it to be sharp. And you want it to deliver.
But I have no budget
The next thing I hear from service-based business owners is concern about budget. Since figuring out how much to invest in a site is uncharted territory for many, it’s not that surprising.
If you offer a service, you’re wondering, “how many services would I need to sell to recoup my costs?” This is especially tough if your service is super affordable.
Here’s the good news. You don’t have to hire an agency and spend your life savings out of the gate — especially if you’re not sure the effort will be worth it.
But, you do have to start somewhere.
That’s why I’ve created a course for those who “need to get something up” but also know they need to put care, thought, and strategy into it. It’s great for business owners who want a site that helps them sell, but aren’t sure where to start — especially on a tight budget.
The course incorporates a tried and tested strategy we’ve used with countless clients to create a website that converts. We’ve distilled it down to one page. We’re calling it “The One Page Website” course.
With it, you’ll learn:
Our tried and tested content structure
How to write website copy that converts
How to find stock photography assets to make your business stand out.
Mix and match design tools with guidance, including:
18 color palettes with instructions to apply the palette you want to your website
15 type styles with instructions to apply your chosen fonts to your website
And putting it all together in Squarespace — a simple yet powerful site building tool
Normally getting a custom-designed page like this through our agency would need a budget in the ballpark of $7,500 — but we’re offering this step-by-step course for $97, and now through December 31,2020 you can save 30% with code HOLIDAY — either way, it’s a steal.
And the course makes it totally doable to get your site launched in a day. Really!
If you’re a business owner who is tired of asking yourself, “why don’t I have a website yet?” Or have been telling yourself, “my New Year’s resolution is to finally deal with my website!!” Or for the millionth time catch yourself thinking “I just need to get something up” — but you want something good that works for your budget, this course was made for you.
You can sign up for the course here, get instant access to all of the above, and pretty soon have that 24/7 sales person constantly putting you in the best light, online.