In this Lunch and Learn, Gill Wilson, founder of web design and maintenance company Buttered Host, lays out the first steps you need to take when it comes to building the best website for your business.
Gill's key points from the webinar
Strategic planning
Start by defining your real-world target audience and ideal customer, focusing on what differentiates you from competitors to create a laser-focused website strategy.
Create a detailed avatar of your ideal customer, including their preferences for design elements and content, and research this through friends, family and social media groups.
Develop a mood board with design and style elements that appeal to your ideal customer, incorporating images that fit your brand and inspiration from competitors' sites.
Content and structure
For a photography website, tailor the site's mood and offerings to the specific type of photography and client level you're targeting, adjusting elements like pricing display accordingly.
Gather testimonials, case studies and reviews from satisfied customers to use as social proof, offering free services or products in exchange if necessary.
Determine the primary purpose of your website (for example, credibility or sales) and structure it to funnel visitors towards that goal, including strategies for ongoing customer relationships.