Hey there, podcast listeners! I’m Jenny Belanger, the owner of JennyB Designs, a website design studio specializing in helping consultants and creative service providers enhance their online presence. In this episode, I want to share some valuable insights to help you revamp your website for a successful 2024. Let’s dive in!
👉 Grab the Google Doc Checklist
🎙️ Didn’t listen to the podcast? Download it now! (stay tuned for next year!)
Why Do You Need a Website?
No matter what you offer, whether it’s services or products, your business needs a website. It serves as a 24/7 employee, attracting leads and generating revenue. A well-designed website can be a game-changer, while a poorly designed one can cost you sales.Get Your Website Right
As a business owner, getting your website right is crucial. It should not only showcase what you do but also generate leads and revenue. Here’s how to make that happen:Look Back at Your Past Year
Reflect on the past year and your clients. Identify any commonalities among your projects and consider what excited you the most and what didn’t go as planned. This analysis will give you clarity on your ideal clients and projects.Look Forward to Your Goals
Plan your goals for the next 3-6 months or even the next quarter. Whether you’re launching a course, introducing new services, or creating content, write down your objectives. This planning step is vital for aligning your website with your future goals.Perform a Website Content Refresh
Your website tells your story and drives sales. An end-of-year refresh ensures your content reflects your brand, current goals, and boosts your SEO. Here’s how to do it:- Review your copy, photos, and call-to-action.
- Ask yourself if your website reflects who you are now and what you’re working on in the future.
- Avoid excessive additions – clarity over cleverness is key.
- Remove unnecessary clutter, both in copy and plugins if you’re using WordPress.
Top Tips for Key Website Pages
Home Page
Your home page is crucial. Use it to answer three essential questions above the fold:- What you sell.
- Why it matters.
- How visitors can take action (call to action).
About Page
Share your story but focus on how your expertise can solve your clients’ problems. Use photos to connect with your audience. Professional brand photos are a game-changer. I know so many wonderful photographers. Monarch Collaborative, Jessie Wyman, Sandra Costello, Colleen Gordon, are all amazing!Services Page
Emphasize what your services do for clients rather than what they are. Be clear on pricing and offer a clear call to action after presenting the pricing.Contact Page
Ensure your contact form includes basic fields like name, email, the reason for contact, and a message box. Also, provide an email address for direct contact and add a photo to humanize the experience.Analyze Your Website
Review your website analytics to understand how visitors find your site, where they click, and where they exit. This data helps you optimize your site for better user experiences. Website Year-End Checkup Checklist To ensure your website is in top shape here are the 13 items to check:- Testimonials
- Dates + Numbers:
- Forms:
- Pop-Ups:
- Phone Numbers:
- Broken Links:
- Simplify Contact:
- Remove Obsolete Materials:
- Review Your Tech Stack:
- Update Passwords:
- Check Privacy Policy:
- Update Software:
- Check Hosting and Backups:
- Utilize artificial intelligence
- Conversational UI + copy
- Video content
- Interactive freebies
- Optimized Google Business listings
- Helpful and valuable blog content.
- Custom illustrations
- Termageddon, my favorite place to get a privacy policy
- Pricing on your website — more thoughts on why it’s important
- Testimonials — where and how to get them
