Create A Winning Website Plan In Just 7 Simple Steps
Are you tired of websites that are confusing, overwhelming, and fail to make a great first impression?
As a Squarespace website designer, I understand the importance of having a well-thought-out strategy and plan before diving into the building process.
Your website is your online storefront, whether you sell a service or a product. It has the power to captivate your audience or drive them away.
I think we’ve all come across website mistakes that leave us feeling frustrated and clicking away. I don’t want that for you!
“84.6% of web designers believe crowded website design is the most common mistake made by small businesses.”
Unfortunately, gone are the days of simply creating pages of content, adding beautiful images, and a cool logo, hoping your audience will ‘get you’ and buy from you. That approach is unlikely to work.
Instead, when I work with website clients, I believe in starting with strategy and making a plan. It's scene-setting for your business. When you work with me as your web designer, we won’t jump right into design and development. We’ll begin by looking at your goals and go from there.
Think of it as planning a vegetable 🥕 garden. You wouldn’t scatter seeds 🌱 anywhere without a clear plan. The same goes for your website; you have to plan first and consider your website goals, your dream client/customer, and the magic 🪄 that you bring to the table.
So, let me help you. If you're not happy with your existing website, or you need a new one, it's time to create a winning website plan in just 7 simple steps.
HERE ARE THE STEPS:
Step 1: Determine Your Website Goals
In a previous blog post, I shared some all-important questions to ask yourself before kicking off your website build.
Here are some of those considerations:
Your budget, timeline, necessary skills, and overall goal for your website.
And then, is your goal to:
Generate more clients, sales, signups for your mailing list, or leads.
And which website platform you will use?
I wrote a post about my decision to move from WordPress to Squarespace and how the love affair began.
Step 2: Define Your Target Audience
Your website should be designed with your dream client/customers in mind.
Who are they? Get my free ideal customer template.
What are their basic demographics, interests and hobbies?
Understanding your target audience is essential for creating a website that speaks directly to your audience.
What problem or challenge do you solve?
Next, you need to understand the core problem or struggle that your ideal client needs help with, and how your offering can help to solve it. Remember to address any fears/objections that they may have about working/buying from you eg. your FAQs.
Bear in mind, most people are looking to solve either a physical outcome, an emotional outcome, a social outcome, or a combo of all 3.
Physical outcome (solving a tangible problem) - ie. They want to work with a dietitian to improve their gut health.
Emotional outcome (fulfilling a desired internal need) - ie. They want to feel good about themselves as now they feel in control of their body as they consistently make food choices leading to better health.
Social outcome (improve how they are perceived by others) - ie. they want to show off their non-bloated, flatter stomach.
Understanding your target audience is essential for creating a website that speaks directly to them.
Step 3: Identify Your Magic vs. Your Competitors
Don’t spend too much time on this, or be overly influenced and distracted, but it’s still useful to be aware of your competitors.
What are they doing badly, and what’s working well for them?
How are you different - what’s unique?
Where’s your magic?
Step 4: Consider The Buyer Journey
When planning your website, consider the journey that your prospective customer/buyer will take from when they first encounter your website, to the moment they decide to purchase from you. Pay attention to the mapping out of your website navigation menu.
How will your website address the buyer journey?
How will you spark awareness, consideration, and decision?
By understanding the customer/buyer journey, businesses can identify the key moments that influence a customer's decision to purchase.
Step 5: Create a Content Plan
Your website content is another opportunity to set you apart from your competitors and provide value to your customers.
Create a content plan that includes the words for your website ie. web copy, evergreen blog posts, and any other content you plan to publish on your website.
Step 6: Designing Your Website
Your website design should be visually appealing, easy to navigate, load quickly, and be mobile-friendly - that’s why I design using Squarespace 7.1, Fluid Engine.
Make sure your website design reflects your brand and appeals to your target audience.
Step 7: Launch and Promote Your Website
Once your website has been fully tested for broken links, typos, and any other issues that could affect the user experience, it's time to launch 🍾 and promote your website.
Share your website on social media, email your customers, and publish your evergreen blog posts.
Wrapping Up
By following these 7 simple steps, you can create a winning website plan that will help you achieve your business goals and stand out from your competitors.
Need some help?
Whether you’re unhappy with your existing website or starting from scratch, I’d love to help you. Together, we’ll define your objectives, uncover your dream client, and create a design that truly aligns with your brand and vision.
Let’s get started on creating a website that not only impresses your audience but also helps you achieve your business goals. Your online success starts with a solid strategy and a well-executed plan. Let me guide you towards that success.
Contact me today and book your FREE 15 min call to chat through your goals and to check that we’re a good fit.
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