In this guide, we’re breaking down our 6-step process to creating a beautiful, functional website that convert. As you’ll see, design and development is only one step of the process. Many people, both DIYers and web designers, make the mistake of skipping straight to the design part and glossing over all the strategy work. Unfortunately, the most beautiful website is completely useless if it doesn’t create measurable results in your business. And the only way to create results is through strategy, followed by intentional design.
Keep reading to learn how to utilize both strategy and design to create a website that generates leads for your business.
P.S. Scroll to the bottom for a handy infographic.
1. Establish clear goals and objectives
2. Analyze your competitors
You can’t create a website without content. This step can be a sticking point for a lot of people that delays the whole project, often indefinitely. If that’s you, don’t feel bad! It’s hard to know what to say on your website and how to say it when you’re just staring at a blank page. As part of our web design process, we find it invaluable to create a content framework before writing any copy or designing pages. A content framework is a breakdown of all the different sections of content that need to go on each page. For example, on the homepage your framework might include a hero section with a call to action, an about section, a services section, a testimonial section, and a newsletter signup. Breaking your page content into chunks helps you visualize what kind of layout will work best for the page, and it makes it easier to create the actual content for each section.
3. Create a content framework
You can’t create a website without content. This step can be a sticking point for a lot of people that delays the whole project, often indefinitely. If that’s you, don’t feel bad! It’s hard to know what to say on your website and how to say it when you’re just staring at a blank page. As part of our web design process, we find it invaluable to create a content framework before writing any copy or designing pages. A content framework is a breakdown of all the different sections of content that need to go on each page. For example, on the homepage your framework might include a hero section with a call to action, an about section, a services section, a testimonial section, and a newsletter signup. Breaking your page content into chunks helps you visualize what kind of layout will work best for the page, and it makes it easier to create the actual content for each section.
4. Write copy that incorporates SEO keywords
Copywriting for the web and SEO go hand-in-hand. In case you’re not familiar with SEO, it stands for search engine optimization, and it involves optimizing content on your website so that it will rank higher in search engine results. There are numerous SEO techniques that you can implement, but the most important one is keywords. Keywords are words or phrases that users type into search engines. If you incorporate keywords into your website content, search engines will direct users searching with those keywords to your website. Of course, implementing SEO effectively is easier said than done, considering that there are an estimated 400 million active websites, each of which is competing for certain keyword rankings. Don’t let that number deter you, though. It’s definitely possible to rank for keywords today, even if you’re just starting out. We have a few blog posts that were published last year that today are ranked on the first page of Google (over tens of millions of results). SEO requires patience and persistence, but it’s well worth the effort if you want to create a website that generates qualified leads for your business.
5. DESIGN & DEVELOPMENT
6. LAUNCH!
The final step in creating a website is launching. As you may have guessed, this step isn’t as simple as just linking up your domain name (although that step is very important!) Before you launch, you’ll want to build up some hype so that your followers are just as excited as you are. Tease your followers with previews of your site on social media, and talk about all the amazing value you’re about to bring to them. Because let’s be real, no one is excited to be sold to. Your followers care about what’s in it for them. While you’re at it, share it with your friends and family members too, even if they’re not your target market. The more eyes you can get on your new website, the better!
Related post: Website Launch Checklist: 7 Things To Do Before Launching
Are you looking to create a website for your business but feeling a bit intimidated or overwhelmed by the process? Join the waitlist for my signature DIY website course, which covers each of these steps in detail and more. Alternatively, get in touch to learn more about my done-for-you services.
