My clients are often surprised when I tell them not to invest a lot of time or money in their website and branding when they are starting a new venture.  Their vision and message are likely to evolve over time, especially over the first year and it may take a few tries to see what works with their market.

What I do recommend is:

• Be clear about your long term vision and intention for your site before starting
• Choose mobile friendly templates – often called “responsive”
• Keep things simple – bells and whistles can slow things down on some tablets or phones and people are likely to move on
• Provide content written in the language of your ideal client that describes the benefits they will receive
• Focus on  keywords that potential clients might use as they search the subject to maximize SEO
• Include a free product offer with opt in that will help you build your list
• Optimize space above the fold (what visitors see before scrolling down) by including your social media links, newsletter or RSS feed signups, contact information, and possibly your free offer in that area
• Step back and look at the big picture to make sure your site is easy to navigate, pleasing to the eye,  and that the colors, pictures and content are in alignment with your intention
• Check your site on various devices, watch your site statistics, and refine as needed

Websites and blogs are a big subject with many options and choices, but these basic ideas will help you get started with a site that is both simple and smart.

If you would like coaching support through the process of building a blog, website or starting a new business, email Linda at: simplesmartbusiness@gmail.com

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