Is Your Website Frightful? Is It Time to Unfrakenstein Your Site?
When you look at your website… Is it frightful? Does it look more like the work of Frankenstein rather than a professional business that serves the needs of today’s busy families?
Like the pieced-together Frankenstein, have you pieced together your website, added on pages or have sections that don’t quite “match” the rest?
You probably have a few pages that are from when you first started, maybe a few pages that you created after you got more comfortable. Your site pages might even have a different design as you become more familiar with what your communication strategy is with your families.
If you have an older website that you created when you first opened your doors, odds are that site doesn't reflect where you are now. That’s great news because it means you’ve grown!
On today’s ECBME podcast we are going to talk about:
How an inconsistent website could be hurting your Early Childhood business.
What needs to be un-Frankenstein'd on your website.
The one rule you must follow to make sure your un-Frankenstein website is effective as possible.
How an inconsistent website could be hurting your Early Childhood business.
One of the ways an inconsistent website can hurt your business is by giving potential customers the impression that your company is unprofessional or disorganized. This can happen if your website has outdated information, is difficult to navigate, or doesn't have a consistent look and feel. If potential customers get the impression that your company is unprofessional, they may not do business with you.
Another way an inconsistent website can hurt your business is by making it difficult for customers to find the information they need. If your website is hard to navigate, has outdated information, or doesn't have a search function, customers may get frustrated and go to a competitor's site instead.
Finally, an inconsistent website can make it difficult for search engines to properly index your site. This can lead to lower search engine rankings and less traffic. If you want your website to be successful, it's important to make sure it is consistent and easy for search engines to find.
What needs to be unfrankensteined on your website.
Get clear on your branding. Your audience will get confused if there are different appearances/voices on your website. If various pages on your site use different tones or have different color themes/graphics, it can really create confusion for the reader. Visual consistency is critical for your families to recognize your branding!
Having a consistent tone of voice in your website, social media, newsletters, and more can really help bring your business’s personality to life. Being consistent in this way can also give customers or clients a clear picture of who you are and why you do what you do.
One thing to consider is the design of your website. Are pages designed inconsistently? If you know you need to do something but are not ready to invest in a done-for-you solution, consider a template. There are some great ones out there. One of my favorite companies that provide this service is Bluchic. Their WordPress themes elevate your business instantly, ensuring that your website looks and works the way you need it to, showcasing your business, team and services in the best way. These templates can be installed quickly and easily and you can update your copy on these new pages. Templates are beautiful and affordable. It is a great way to go!
The one rule you must follow to make sure your unfrankenstiend website is effective as possible.
My marketing mentor, Donald Miller is a communication and messaging genius. I have learned so much about how to effectively communicate with potential families from him. And when it comes to marketing, he to agrees that your website is one of the most important tools you have to attract more families.
There are many possible sections and pages you could have on your website. But as Don says, none of it matters if your website cannot answer three simple questions. He calls this the grunt test. I call it the simplicity test. When it comes to messaging clear and simple win every time. And when it comes to ensuring your website is effective as possible it must pass this simplicity test.
It is just a fact that most people do not read websites, they scan them. It is the job of your website to stop them from scanning and start reading. It needs to tap into their curiosity by clearly communicating the answer three simple questions, this is our simplicity test.
What services do you provide?
How will it make my life better?
What do I need to do to work with you?
If these three questions cannot be answered within five seconds, you are losing out on potential families and money.
Your website needs to explain in clear language what you offer so they know why they should work with you. It needs to pass the simplicity test:
What services do you provide?
How will it make my life better?
What do I need to do to work with you? A strong call to action.
Final Thoughts on Building an Effective Website
When you stop oversharing and get clear on your messaging, you can build an effective website that invites your potential families into a deeper relationship with you and your business making them more likely to work with you.
When a parent visits your website, they are likely curious about your business and want to know more. The problem is, most of us focus our time on serving and have no idea what to do to create an effective website.
Making sure your website is consistent and not confusing doesn't have to be difficult. There are a few simple things you can do to ensure your site is consistent and easy for families to use. First, make sure your website has a consistent look and feel. Use the same colors, fonts, and layout on all of your pages.
Second, keep your messaging clear and concise. Make sure the information on your site is accurate, relevant, and most importantly clear. Finally, do a website audit to help ensure your potential families not only can navigate your site but that your website invites them into building a relationship with you.
By taking these simple steps, you can make sure your website is a consistent and successful revenue-generating machine.
Resources
Be sure to get on our email list so we can send you more information about our Shine Membership for Early Childhood Business Owners/Managers that is now Open!
We give Early Childhood business owners/managers the operational strategies and tools they need to grow their profitable businesses with more joy, confidence, clarity, and less overwhelming.
You will learn how to spend less time on small details and daily tasks. You can spend more time doing the things you truly enjoy. Focusing on the things that really matter, your top priorities, your key relationships, your most important projects, all the things that will bring you more joy and your business more success.
