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Five Things You Need Before Hiring a Web Designer
I adore the excitement that comes with each new client looking to work with me to build a website and a personal brand.
I’ve discovered through working with my ideal clients that there are five things that can actually stop the process from going forward. And you know how frustrating that can be…for both of us. For you, the client, because you’re finally ready for the investment that comes with a professional design. For me, because I’m in love with your work and can’t wait to breathe life into it and bring it alive visually.
If you’re looking to get your work out there very soon, these are five things you need to have ready before you begin the process:
1. PHOTOS – You need gorgeous + professional headshots of yourself. You also need a few photos that we can weave into your design to create a stronger overall visual vibe that really speaks about the work you do in the world. Here’s the thing: perception is everything, or at least it is in the beginning. Your clients deserve for you to be seen in the way in which they truly experience you. And trust me, beautiful, it’s not that photo of you that is five years old from a party down south with the drink cropped out. Have a budget? Find a local photography student from your community college who’s looking to build her portfolio. There are always ways to capture that perfect moment. Trust me here, ladies. Professional images count.
2. WEB GOAL – What do you really want your website to do for you? This is the first question I ask every new client. You need to know your answer. I could give you all kinds of examples here but I believe that your personal blend of awesomeness requires your own unique goal. Instead, I’m going to offer you a few powerful questions to sit with and when you have answers, you’ll be closer to defining your web goal.
- What’s important about having a website?
- Who are you building a site for? (your ideal visitors who’ll become clients)
- How do you want visitors to feel after landing on your site?
- What do you want your web visitors to do after they’ve landed on your site?
- How will you measure success?
- and again….What’s important about having a website?
- and again….What’s important about having a website? (keep asking yourself this question — it’ll help you really anchor in to what you want your website to do for you!)
3. LIST – It’s critical to sign up to a list building service like Mail Chimp or Aweber. You’ll need the login credentials for your web designer to be able to customize the areas on your website. It’s also important to consider what you might like to offer your website visitors as a free opt in. For example, is it an ebook? A mp3 download? A beautiful welcome letter? It can be anything that makes sense for your business.
4. CONTENT – You need all the copy (written content) that will go on your new online home. In my experience, if you’re ready with a home page (a general overview of your work with an invitation to click through to your other pages), about page (bio of you and what makes you awesome), services page (what you do), kind words page (testimonials from your ideal clients), blog page (where you’ll share what’s of interest to your ideal clients), and a connect page (with a simple contact form), you’ll be ready for web.
5. YOU – the personal flavor of your unique personality. It’s critical that when you build a brand online that you begin with you. This is where you get to bring all the things that make you YOU to the table and create an experience for your ideal clients that feels ever so personal. What I strive to do is have your online home feel like you are there in person. How do you do this? By investing in working with a business coach, you’ll uncover the best offerings you can create to attract more of the people you love working with. I believe this is one of the secrets to a thriving online business. You need focused strategy infused with marketing experience. I’ve seen many female women business owners take off when they’ve invested in this. It’s all about knowing your niche and claiming it. No one can help you articulate this better than a professional business coach.
In the end, ladies, you need to be ready. And, I want you to know this:
1. You will evolve, as will your content.
2. You are one of a kind so doing it like she did won’t work.
3. It’s all personal when it comes to creating a website that showcases you.
4. It doesn’t have to be perfect. Honest. (see # 1)
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I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below!
