THE WINNING WEBSITE TRIFECTA (SO YOU CAN GENERATE MORE LEADS AND WIN YOUR DREAM CLIENTS!)
In 2020, with the help of some of my faves in the biz, I birthed a new online home. I kid you not, immediately after I ‘relaunched’ I was INUNDATED with enquiries from my most dreamy-of-dream clients. Hello: fully booked without having to do a great deal of promo! I attribute so much of this momentum building to my new online digs. #heckyes.
As my biz has morphed and changed over the years, I’ve had a number of websites come to life. These online digs were all created by me - one of the least design and tech savvy people in ze world. While they did their job (and the copy was of course great because I wrote it - haha) they didn’t convert to their highest potential. Connecting with ‘cold clients’ through my website was particularly r-a-r-e.
Now, client flock to me with ease and, as I said before (and will say it again because it’s freakin’ important), they are my dream clients. Spend a red hot minute on my website and it’s crystal-freakin’-clear who I’m talking to, and how I can serve them and add value to their businesses and lives.
Here’s just some of the sha-weet words gals have said about the latest evolution of my online space …
“Your new website, especially your photos, look fantastic!”
“I want copywriting/editing support. I love how you write and would love to make sure what I’m creating is written as perfectly as possible. Can you help?”
It’s such a beautiful website Che. So easy to read and navigate … and the copy is spot on!
“You sound like the perfect copywriter to work on this project, so if you're interested, please let me know.”
Now, call me biased (lol) but I know a huge part of this success is because I invested a whole lot of time, thought and energy into creating copy for my website.
I was crystal clear on my mission, who I was serving, the things they struggle with, their hopes and dreams and how I wanted to add value to their lives. On top of this, my ‘special sauce’ is my ability to make people feel things through my words. So that’s what I did - I hit hearts.
What I wanna say though is this - although I truly believe that heart-hitting copy that converts is SOOOOO IMPORTANT, it doesn’t do its job to its full potential without an epically designed website AND stellar photos to go alongside it and make it *pop*.
To me, this is the winning trifecta - epic copy, an epically designed site and epic photos.
I’ve seen this ‘formula’ win time and time and time again.
Given this, today I want to introduce you to the two legends who supported me to bring my online home to life. They are wise AF and they s-k-i-l-l-e-d at what they do! I hope their wisdom helps you create the website of your dreams (or give your current one a new injection of life if that’s what she needs!) so you can continue to bring your mission to life and be of service.
Alana from Alana Jade Studio
- Web Designer Extraordinaire -
First up is my Web Designer Alana from Alana Jade Studio. If you’ve spent much time listening to my rants you’ll be familiar with Alana - she one of my besties and a friggin’ biz genius.
I sat her down and asked her some questions. Here’s what she had to say …
Why do you do what you do, boo?
My focus is creating beautiful, minimal websites for women who want to make the world a better place. This area is a passion for me as I see and speak with so many women who, while they all have special medicine and gifts to offer our world and know they need an online presence, they struggle with the technical complexities of building websites and feel overwhelmed by all the marketing hype they are told they have to do to create a successful business. It can become a huge barrier. My work removes this barrier by creating beautiful, calm, spacious, online spaces where these women can shine.
What do you define as a 'well designed website'?
I personally believe, that a well designed website is one that – yes, incorporates client message, strategy, functionality and usability – but the websites that truly shine are the ones that capture the business vibe and essence. When we are speaking about heart-based businesses, our visitors are looking for a heart-based resonant match. When the energy of a business shines through the website, this is what your dream client feels when she lands here and it’s what invokes that heart-felt ‘yes!’.
Why is having an epically designed website important for a biz?
Your website is the ‘shop front’ to your business. It is the window into what you do and who you serve. And, as mentioned above, it’s one of the first ways your dream clients determine if you are a resonant match for them.
And that’s just the beginning.
A well designed website makes it easy for your audience to find what they are looking for, to understand what you do and how you can help them. It should take them on a journey, making it obvious and super simple to take their next step – whether that be signing up to your newsletter, contacting you, booking a call or making a purchase.
And finally, having an epically designed website, without a doubt, is going to help you to stand proudly behind what you do. Ask yourself right now … how do you feel when you send someone to your online home? Proud? Or like you want to run and hide?
What common mistakes do you see biz babes making when it comes to bringing their online home to life?
Websites are a super visible step in business, which triggers a whole heap of vulnerability. It’s easy to self-sabotage the process – making excuses to put it off to a later date. Start out with accountability, whether that be locking in agreed dates with your web designer, copywriter or photographer or asking a business buddy to hold you to your timelines.
Your top three tips to help women's websites shine and be their most beautiful representation of them?
Branding cohesiveness – photography and colour selection will make or break the design of your website. Before you start designing and building your website, work with a branding expert to select your colour palette and define a business style guide. And invest in professional, crystal clear photographs (iphone photos, while great for instagram, are not so great for websites).
Choose a web designer based on their style – Just like any artist or creative, every web designer has a certain design style. If you look carefully, you’ll notice that we use similar elements, layouts and our underlying approach and technique is the same from website to website. For example, I’m a minimal designer – I work with lots of white space, beautiful photography and pastel colours. I don’t do loud colours or create websites that are loud with marketing hype. Find a designer who has a portfolio of past projects you can look over. Pay attention to their particular design style – does this style match your personal and business style and does it feel good to you? If not, this designer is likely not a match.
Keep things minimal! – You don’t need lots of pages, content, optins and marketing stuff to entice your visitor to embark on a journey with you. It’s not only overwhelming, but in this day and age, with all the marketing hype out there, if you take a minimal approach, you’ll actually stand out from the crowd! Think about what key pages you need (hint: home, about, a simple services page, contact and possibly a blog). Think about the most important things your client needs to know and what can be left out or provided later, once the client has contacted you. I like to also remind myself that my audience are adults … my vibe shines through my website, I trust what I’m offering and I trust that my audience will know if I’m right for them. This in turn helps me in determining what is really necessary on my website.
STEPHA DOYLE
- PHOTOGRAPHic FRIGGIN’ genius -
Next up is my Photographer Stepha. I friggin’ love this woman.
Here’s what she had to say …
Why do you do what you do, boo?
There is something about humans that absolutely fascinates and captivates me. From the bursts of laughter to how we navigate and release pain and sadness - I love it all. The vulnerability of the human expression is the most beautiful thing to witness.
It’s this curiosity, along with my own soul healing, that has led me to deepen my art and use it as a tool to empower women and make an impact.
I believe that photos sell because they help us to connect - to a person’s soul and their energy.
I've started to really infuse my creativity into the way I work with women so we can create artistic experiences together - because we are so much more than a cafe photoshoot or a frozen faux smile headshot. It's in this art that we create content that deeply connects with our audience.
Let's be real, working with a photographer can be scary AF. Why invest over DIY (aka playing it comfy and taking your own shots on your iPhone)?
It absolutely can be BUT it can also be fun and freeing - I believe I'm here to shift how we experience and perceive photography. I know from the feedback I get from my clients, that when I work with them, it almost feels like they’re not having their photo taken.
There is great vulnerability in being seen, and there will always be some nerves - which is why connecting with your photographer is SO important. Even if you like their art, it’s important that you connect with them on a human level. When you connect with and feel comfortable with that person, most of your fear will be irradicated!
Otherwise, I freaking love a DIY photoshoot using a good old pocket camera, phone and computer. Although there’s many more pros to having a professional take your photo, I’m all for people playing at home.
What makes an epic (website) photo?
EXPRESSION. However that feels authentic for you. I think sometimes, even when we’ve invested in a professional shoot, we can get shy and we hold back some of our full expression (again, the right photographer for you will support you with this). For me, it's the photos bursting with joy/laughter/excitement, where you can really feel that person's energy, that feel the most potent.
Of course, technically great photos are a given - good lighting, cropping, in focus, etc.
How does having beautiful pics helps babes grow their businesses?
I think what makes a beautiful photo is the ability to feel the person in the image - this is what I feel is the most powerful thing to help babes grow their biz. Your photos need to look and feel like you!
Having photos support your social media, website and marketing collateral will boost sales. It shows your audience that you're willing to invest in yourself, and that you’re a pro. As well as this cohesive branding builds trust and photos help share the embodiment of your message.
Your top 3 tips to helps babes shine in their piccies and be the most beautiful representation of them?
1. Prepare before - Yes, in terms of photographic visions (what shots you want to capture etc.) but also energetically (use practices that make you feel good - breathing, meditating, affirmations, tuning into guides/angels for support, etc.)
2. Move your body - Movement is the key to flowing photos. When we pose too much, we start to get awkward real quick - this is because the energy has stopped flowing. I encourage you to sway your hips, dance, shimmy, walk and skip. Even speaking your mission out loud helps!
3. Pump some beats - Music to me is medicine and helps to pump me up or soothe my nerves. It's such a mood booster and encourager to unleash and be fully seen! If you want to go one step further, create a playlist JUST for your shoot!
And extra lil' tip: Always bring outfit and prop options. It's okay if not everything is used, but it's great to have them on hand! My only guidance when people ask "what should I wear" (I do know a great stylist who supports my clients) is to wear whatever you feel comfy in, makes you feel good and portrays the mood you want to capture. If you're comfy, you'll shine. If you're uncomfy, you photos will look awkies!
Anything else you want to share my honey?
Find the right photographer for you, trust in the nudge you feel to have your photo taken, and know that you're so worthy of being seen and celebrated through this form of art!
And there you have it sweet woman - what I believe is the winning website trifecta. Epic copy, an epic site and epic images that all come together to create one heck of an epic online home.
Need support bringing your online home to life? We’re here for you!
Get in touch and let’s chat about how I can help you to bring your website copy to life, or purchase my easy-to-use Soulful Copy Templates here.
Or, get in touch with Alana and Steph. They’d lurve to support you!
Che. X