Most important thing you need to know about your website!
(In my humble opinion)
Your website shouldn’t be about you!
What, of course it’s about me/my business otherwise what’s the point?
At the risk of repeating myself, your website isn’t about you, or at least not at first glance.
So who is it about?
Simple, your customers, without them, you don’t have a business.
There’s something I really need you to remember when you’re creating your website, the people likely to be visiting it are SELFISH. No, I’m not being rude or offensive, I’m simply being practical and I want you to do the same.
Just think -You’d go to Google to find websites…
-
If you’re wanting to find recipe inspiration
-
If you’re looking for a specialist mattress for a bad back
-
If you’re looking for a beauty therapist who offers a particular treatment
-
If you’re looking for a restaurant recommendation in a city you’re visiting.
In each of those instances, you’ll type in your needs, requirements, or concerns.
When the results pop up you’ll click on whichever link tempts you (that’s a story for another day) and when you land on the page, in less than a second you’ll have an instant gut reaction that will keep you on the website or have you clicking to the next one.
I’m not going to lie, great webdesign matters…
A gorgeous image, beautiful design, and clear layout all impact this snap decision but crucially your subconscious is looking to see if that person understands your needs, can meet them, and how to go about it. If your website isn’t addressing this clearly in your copy at the head of your page, then chances are you’ve lost them, even if in reality you would have been their perfect match.
People simply aren’t interested in you until they know whether you’ll be able to help them in the way they require. Until you’ve convinced them that it’s worth hanging around to find out more through clear and direct copy and messaging, introducing yourself becomes self-defeating.
Potential clients don’t want to be “Welcomed” to your site, they assume that’s a given, nor do they want to know that Sally Jones likes dogs and clifftop walks until they know that she’ll be looked after and their needs.
Take a look at your website (if you’ve built it) and see if you’re falling into this trap. Don’t worry, you’d be in good company, it’s an incredibly common mistake.
Hope that makes sense!
PS Just to clarify, they are likely to be lovely people really but it is their needs, not yours that have taken them to the internet for answers and solutions.