So every business has a website nowadays, right? It’s 2024, DUH! | But does that mean every website is up to par on all of the important elements that actually make it work for you as a business owner? That I’m not so confident in saying yes to and is why you should read on to find out what those elements are…

Rockstars, I give you my Web Design Track-list: Everything you need to know when designing or auditing your website as a small business owner.

THE BASICS ARE YOUR BEST FRIEND.

A lot of times when it comes to websites, business owners skip A BUNCH of steps just to get their website up and running – which is proactive, yes! No one wants to look like they don’t have a website at all because that would downgrade your credibility as a business!

But in the long run, skipping the basics of web design will lose you A BUNCH of sales due to the lack of grounded values, no personal reflection of your brand, and missing an effective design & branding strategy leading to conversions and results.

Here’s 8 basics to think about if you were to audit or make your own website in 2024:

• Is your website aligned with your brand identity?
  • I’ve said it once & I’ll say it again. Your branding is the BASE(BASS) of your brand. In order to effectively translate your values, vibes, goals & services as a business, you must start with your branding in order to figure out what those even are! Otherwise, you’ll be running around creating a business without a true brand… (not mindful. not demure).
• Do you have engaging, personality-filled copy & eye-catching imagery?
  • Let’s face it. Photographers, graphic designers, social media managers, wellness coaches, realtors, and even more niches are a dime a dozen. So, how are YOU as a creative small business owner going to stand out amongst the rest? I’ll tell you how. Engaging copy that’s filled with your brand voice & eye-catching branding photos all packaged up and presented uniquely on your website 🙂
• Is it clear what services you provide/what problems you solve?
  • Make it crystal clear for viewers to know EXACTLY what you do and WHY they need you to help them. Having valuable, high-quality products is one thing, but making your ideal clients/customers understand WHY they need your products or services is another.
• Is your website optimized across mobile devices?
  • Did you know 95.8% of people use their mobile devices to access the internet compared to 62.9% using a laptop or desktop? Yup. So that means if the mobile version isn’t one of your top priorities, you’ll be likely to lose viewers. Believe me when I say, optimize your website’s mobile version!!!
• Is your domain name available on all other social platforms?
  • For the sake of brand consistency, you’ll want to have your username, @ handles, and website domain ALL be the same. Imagine trying to find the website for a wellness coach who is “Be Well” on Instagram but their domain is letsgetwell.com… Don’t confuse your audience!
• Is your website intuitive & easy to use for the user?
  • Think about some of your favorite websites that you admire and take inspiration from. There seems to be a flow & ease when you are clickin’ on through it right? As the viewer, viewing your website should allow them to know exactly what to expect, where to find things, get around easily & make purchases easily. We alllll have experienced that headache of a website that’s a pain in the butt… so don’t be that person I’m begging you.
• Have you done keyword research and used them naturally throughout your website?
  • In other words… SEO! Knowing what your core & additional keywords are as a business is such an important step to take before even starting your website. That way, you can plugin your keywords across your social media & website FLAWLESSLY which boosts your SEO aka your website working for you. I would suggest doing this step with your branding because like I said earlier, if your business doesn’t have a true brand… you could be losing out no sales.
• Do you have a plan to update your website regularly?
  • Okay, so you’ve done all the prior steps & are feeling great about your website now (YAY). But PLEASE! Don’t make the mistake of completing it and never circling back to make updates/changes again because an inactive website is arguably worse than no website. Making those changes also boosts your SEO by being an active business online.

MY GO-TO TIPS FOR YOUR WEBSITE

Now if we’re getting a little more specific on what to do & NOT to do on your website, here’s 8 of some of the most common tips I come back to:

• Make contacting you soooo easy from your homepage.
• Don’t just copy what other business owners in your niche are doing on their website or trends that don’t align with your brand – Make your website so unique it screams you.
• Make sure mobile optimization is prioritized across phones & tablets – That’s where most people will find you!
• Create & include a blog to increase brand awareness, spread relevant knowledge in your niche & boost SEO.
• Include links to your social media platforms to expand your online presence.
• Add testimonials to your homepage to build credibility & trust with viewers. 
• Keep your navigation & page titles straightforward.
• Most importantly… INVEST in creating a professional, clear & concise, badass website for your business because you deserve it.

I’M WARNING YOU… STAY AWAY FROM THESE!

Please. I’m begging you, rockstar. Don’t do these next 8 things unless you want to drive traffic away from your website, create a disconnect between you and your audience, or lose out on potential sales…

• Don’t add irrelevant photos or distracting content that’s not aligned with your brand.
• Don’t breeze over your contact form – It’s one of the most important things on your website!
• Don’t include too many copy blocks or images on each page – Keep it smooth, simple & digestible.
• Don’t use any colors or fonts that are outside of your branding strategy.
• Don’t forget to check the alignment of your website across desktop, mobile & tablet versions!
• Don’t leave people confused on what to do – Include clear calls to action!
• Don’t be a stranger! Include photos of yourself to promote connection – You deserve to brag!
• And again – Most importantly, don’t underestimate the power of effective & strategic web design for attracting & generating more inquiries.  

HOW TO APPLY THESE TIPS

If you’re like okay woahhhhhhh. That was a lot…. don’t worry! Take your time, slow down, and go one point at a time, and I promise it will pay off.

Because I’m here for you, here’s a guide for applying these tips and actually making your website a beautiful, badass asset to your biz:

• Go through the Basics Checklist & make notes on each of the points, ask yourself questions, reflect & brainstorm!
• Next, move forward to the DO’S & DON’TS Checklists & see if you currently have some of these completed or need to work on some points.
• REFLECT: Take a critical look at your branding & website. Identify if your current website, or lack thereof, needs some time put in to accurately reflect what your business offers/represents and if it’s aligned with your brand.
• INVEST: If you’ve made it this far… You’re ready to level-up your brand & website. Let’s make your website SCREAM you!

---

Want to put this guide in your pocket & come back to it later?! Download my Web Design FREEBIE now: “The Web Design Track-list”

Follow me & take an inside look at my web designer life!

• Instagram
• Facebook
• Pinterest
• TikTok

Thanks for reading, rockstar!

xoxo,

Katherine aka KPVIRTUALLY

---