Picture this: You have a great business idea. You’re ready to book your first client. You want a website. You reach out to me and we start chatting through the process about what is needed to actually build said website. And you quickly realize you don’t have any of that. You’re not ready.
Prepare for a Website Like an Expert
Designing a website is such an exciting process, and is often the first thing people want to do when they are ready to launch a business. But as someone who has been designing websites for over 14 years, and worked with over 65 clients, I’ve learned what it takes for someone to actually be ready for a website. Here are three steps you should take before working with a website designer. By following these steps, you’ll experience a much more effective and efficient website design process. And your website will look GOOD!
Get Clear on Your Business and Offers
Before you start designing a website, it’s so important to have a clear understanding of your business and the offers you provide. Take the time to define your target audience and how you plan to serve them. This clarity will help you create compelling messaging and draft high-converting copy for your website. If you’re not confident in your writing skills, consider working with a professional copywriter to ensure your message is effectively communicated. Having a clear understanding of your business and offers will not only make the website design process smoother, but it will also help you attract the right audience and convert them into customers.
P.S. This is the hard work that most people don’t want to do. This is so important to get right if you want a website that actually converts visitors into clients.
Invest in Branding
Next, I highly recommend you invest in branding once you’re clear on your target audience and offers. I highly recommend working with a brand designer if your budget allows. A brand designer will help you create a cohesive visual identity that accurately represents your business and resonates with your target audience. It will also give your business an elevated and professional feel which establishes credibility and trust. This step includes designing a logo suite, selecting brand colors, creating brand patterns, and choosing fonts that align with your brand’s personality. I recommend moxiemade!
Book a Professional Brand Photoshoot
In addition to branding, professional brand photos are crucial for creating a visually appealing website. Hiring a professional photographer is something I recommend to all my clients. Professional photos not only showcase you and your products in the best light but also add a personal touch to your website. By using your own photos instead of relying on stock images, you can create a more authentic and unique brand experience for your visitors. Professional photos instantly elevate the overall look of a website since they are high quality and on brand.
Work with a Website Designer
Once you have a clear understanding of your business, compelling messaging, and a cohesive visual identity, you’re ready to work with a website designer! By taking these steps beforehand, you’ll provide your designer with the necessary materials and direction to create a website that truly represents your brand. This may seem like a lot to go through before even beginning with a website designer. This would be the ideal order, but of course you need to consider your budget and what’s realistic for you right now. You may just want to start by putting together a landing page until you have had time to get clear on your messaging, visual identity, and brand photos and then you can consider investing in a full site.
If you have any questions or need further guidance, feel free to reach out. I’m here to help you navigate the website design process!
