Lunch and Learn: How to build your website

In this Lunch and Learn, Gill Wilson, founder of web design and maintenance company Buttered Host, lays out the first steps you need to take when it comes to building the best website for your business.

Buttered Host provides websites and maintenance packages that helps its clients gain new customers. Gill has experience with website building since the 1990s and has worked for a range of commercial, educational and third sector companies over the years. 

Gill’s passion is teaching small business owners how to get the most out of their website investment. If this is what you need, you're in the right place!

Gill's key points from the webinar

Strategic planning

• Start by defining your real-world target audience and ideal customer, focusing on what differentiates you from competitors to create a laser-focused website strategy.

• Create a detailed avatar of your ideal customer, including their preferences for design elements and content, and research this through friends, family and social media groups.

• Develop a mood board with design and style elements that appeal to your ideal customer, incorporating images that fit your brand and inspiration from competitors' sites.

Content and structure

• For a photography website, tailor the site's mood and offerings to the specific type of photography and client level you're targeting, adjusting elements like pricing display accordingly.

• Gather testimonials, case studies and reviews from satisfied customers to use as social proof, offering free services or products in exchange if necessary.

• Determine the primary purpose of your website (for example, credibility or sales) and structure it to funnel visitors towards that goal, including strategies for ongoing customer relationships.

Technical considerations

• Consider using WordPress for greater options around control, security and customisation, but be prepared for ongoing maintenance tasks like updates and backups.

• To transfer a Wix domain name to a new platform, access the Wix control panel, search for DNS, unlock the domain and transfer it to a new provider like GoDaddy or Google Domains.

• Invest in search engine optimisation (SEO) from the start of the website-building process to improve your site's visibility in search results.

Essential elements

• Include essential pages such as homepage, services/products, about, contact, privacy policy, and blog as absolute must-haves for your website.

Design considerations

• When targeting luxury customers, consider avoiding template sites and opt for a more customised approach to design.

• If your design experience is limited, platforms like Wix may be suitable initially. But plan for a redesign as your business grows and design needs evolve.

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