Internet marketing is a global phenomenon, with communities springing up around topics such as SEO, PPC, digital display advertising, and content marketing. If you’re looking to reach your target audience on the internet, then a blog or a website is a must-have. However, as with any marketing strategy, there is a balance to be found between being too accessible and being overly complicated. In this beginner’s guide to designing and marketing your own website, we’ll discuss the ins and outs of web design and promotion, from research to copywriting. We’ll also share our favorite design and marketing resources, so that you can get started on the right foot.
What is a Website?
A website is a collection of one or more online pages that feature content and are accessible to users through a web browser. While the content and design of your website will vary depending on your business, you’ll generally choose a theme that’s relatable to your services or products. For example, if you sell health insurance, you’d likely create a website that includes information about benefits, pricing, and ways to get approved.
While many people think of a website as only an extension of the blog hosting service, it’s actually a separate platform with its own features and functions. For example, a website can feature an integrated shopping cart, where customers can checkout with their credit card. Additionally, you can also promote your website as an extension of your social media channels, where you can cross-promote and build brand awareness in one fell swoop.
How to Create a Website
To create a website, you’ll first need to decide what type of website you want to build. There are many different types of websites, including static websites, eCommerce sites, mobile-friendly websites, hybrid websites, and more.
For a static website, the core elements are the same no matter which version you choose. For example, if you choose to host your site on WordPress, you’d use the Classic or Lightweight theme. Additionally, if you choose to use a hosting service like Bluehost or DigitalOcean, you’d use their default theme.
The Importance of an engaging Website
Engaging your audience is just as important as creating a site that loads fast and load snappy. A great way to do this is by using the WOW (Wonders of) feature, which is available on many hosting services. You can use this feature to make hyper-realistic renders of your site, which you can see below:
When it comes to creating a site that loads quickly, the most important factor is the “feel” of the site. This is the overall impression your visitors receive when they visit your site, and it’s important to use non-intrusive ads and pop-ups. Avoid using aggressive ads and pop-ups that cause users to bounce or exit the site. If possible, try to keep your ads and pop-ups as invisible as possible, so your visitors feel confident and safe on your site.
Research is key
Before you begin to design and create a website, it’s important to do some basic research on your target audience. This will allow you to choose the right topics and extracts from the right books to write about. For example, you may wish to write about topics such as: Why you should start your own business, the ins and outs of starting a business, the benefits of starting a business, and how to get started with your new business. In this case, you’ll want to examine your market, and see what books, articles, and videos are most relevant to your topic.
Identify your audience
When it comes to planning your site’s audience, you’ll want to identify which segments of the population you want to target.
For example, if you sell home improvement services, you’d want to identify which customers are interested in: Woodworking, building a deck, installing a shed, and so on. Once you have their interests and needs figured out, you’ll have a better chance of attracting customers.
Don’t Forget About AdWords
Advertising is an important source of revenue for websites, so it’s critical to remember that you’ll always need to advertise to reach your audience. You can use paid ads on Google or Facebook, but you’ll also want to include organic search ads on sites like Google and Bing, as well as on other platforms you manage through your business.
For example, if you sell online classes, you’ll want to include ads for different subjects and keywords that will help you get more students interested in your classes.
Take Back Control with Analytics
Analytics is an incredibly helpful tool when it comes to optimizing your website.
These tools help you optimize your site for speed and load times, as well as provide insights into your visitors’ behavior. You can use these insights to identify problems and optimize your site for better results. These are just a few of the many analytics tools that let you track and understand your site performance.
SEO – Still the King of Marketing
SEO (Search Engine Optimization) is still a vital part of marketing, and it’s something that you must continue to do well.
Not only will your site rank better in search engine results pages (referred to as “SERPs”), but it will also help you build a stronger base of users and generate more revenue from them. You can also use tools like SEMrush to track and see where your site ranks for key keywords, and then use these results as a guideline for your copy.
With one of the most wide-ranging industries to incorporate SEO into your business, it can be difficult to know where to begin. We’ve collected 31 of the most effective SEO strategies and techniques from the field, ensuring that you’ll stay one step ahead of your competition.
Conclusion
An online presence is how you make yourself known to potential customers. It’s how you connect with potential customers and create a lasting relationship with them. Creating a great online presence starts with having a plan. In this beginner’s guide to designing and marketing your own website, we’ve provided information on what you need to think about before starting your site. We hope that reading this guide has helped you gain a better understanding of how to design and market a site.