A website can be a powerful tool for any woman entrepreneur. It can help you reach a larger audience, promote your products or services, and build your brand. But if you’ve never created a website before, the process can seem daunting.
Where do you start? What should you include on your site? How do you make sure it looks professional and is easy to navigate?
Don’t worry – we’re here to help. In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about creating and managing a website as an empowered woman entrepreneur. We’ll start with the basics of choosing a domain name and web hosting, then with design tips and best practices for creating content that engages and converts your visitors.
Photo by KOBU Agency.
Choosing a Domain Name and Web Hosting
Your domain name is your website’s address on the internet. It’s what people will type into their browsers to find your site, so it’s important to choose something easy to remember and relevant to your business.
Keep a domain name short (no more than two or three words), simple, and memorable when choosing a domain name. Avoid using numbers or hyphens, and steer clear of made-up words or anything that might be difficult to spell. You’ll also want to make sure the .com version of your chosen domain name is available – this is the most popular and recognizable top-level domain, so it’s best to stick with it if you can.
Once you’ve found an available domain name that you like, you’ll need to choose a web hosting provider. This service will host your website files and make them accessible to visitors on the internet. There are many different web hosting providers, but we recommend using a reliable and affordable option like SiteGround or Bluehost.
Both providers offer great features at a reasonable price and are easy to use even if you’re a beginner. Once you’ve signed up for web hosting, you’ll be able to connect your domain name to your website and start building your site.
Creating Content for Your Website
Now that you have a domain name and web hosting set up, and you’ve designed your site according to best practices, it’s time to start filling it with content.
But what kind of content should you include on your website? And how can you ensure that your content is effective and engaging?
Here are a few tips to get you started:
First, think about the purpose of your website. What do you want visitors to do when they come to your site? If you want them to buy a product or service, ensure your content is focused on that goal. If you want them to sign up for your email list, ensure your content includes a strong call-to-action (CTA) that encourages them. And if you just want them to learn more about what you do, ensure your content is informative and easy to understand.
Second, keep your target audience in mind as you create content. What are their needs and wants? What kind of language do they use? Having reliable data can help with knowing what people also search for in the search engine results. Your content should be created with your target audience in mind, making it more effective in achieving your desired results. Your content should also contain keywords that cover SERP and PASF (people also search for) results.
Third, ensure your content is well-written and free of grammar and spelling errors. This may seem like a no-brainer, but it’s important to remember that your website content reflects your business and professionalism. If you’re not a strong writer, hire someone to help you create high-quality content for your site. Your visitors will thank you for it!
Fourth, format your content in an easy-to-read way. Use short paragraphs and bullet points whenever possible, and break up your text with images, videos, and other forms of multimedia. Your goal should be to make your content as easy to consume as possible, as this will help keep visitors engaged and encourage them to return for more.
Finally, don’t forget to promote your content! Once you’ve created great content, make sure it gets seen by sharing it on social media, emailing it to your list, and promoting it through any other available channels. The more people see your content, the more likely you will achieve your desired results.
Related read: Professional tips on how to design a business website.
Designing Your Website
The design of your website is essential for two reasons: first, because it will create the first impression for visitors; second, because a well-designed site is more likely to engage and convert visitors into customers or leads.
With that in mind, let’s take a look at some design tips to keep in mind as you build your site.
First, keep your website design simple. Avoid cluttered pages and stick to a clean, easy-to-navigate layout. Use plenty of white space to break up your content, and make sure your navigation menu is clear and easy to understand.
Second, make sure your website is optimized for mobile devices. More and more people are using their smartphones and tablets to browse the internet, so it’s important that your site looks great and works well on smaller screens.
You can use a responsive theme to ensure that your site automatically adjusts to look its best on any device, or you can create a separate mobile version of your site. Whichever approach you choose, ensure your visitors have a positive experience when they visit your site from their mobile devices.
Finally, pay attention to the overall look and feel of your website. Choose colors and fonts consistent with your brand identity, and make sure your photos and graphics are high-quality and professional-looking.
If you’re unsure where to start, look at some of your favorite websites for inspiration. Notice the elements that stand out to you, and try incorporating similar design features into your site.
Managing Your Website
Once a website is up and running, it must be well-maintained. This means regularly backing up your site, updating your software and plugins, and monitoring your traffic and analytics.
By taking care of your website, you can ensure that it continues to run smoothly and effectively for years to come.
Here are a few tips to help you manage your website:
First, back up your site regularly. This way, if anything ever happens to your site, you’ll have a recent backup that you can use to restore it. Several WordPress plugins can help you automate this process. Do your research and find one that best meets your needs.
Second, keep your software and plugins up to date. This is important for two reasons: first, because new updates often include security fixes that can help protect your site from hackers; and second, because outdated software can cause compatibility issues that can break your site. So be sure to regularly update your WordPress installation and all of your themes and plugins.
Third, monitor your traffic and analytics. This will help you see how people find your site, what they’re doing once they get there, and where they’re coming from. This information can be extremely valuable in helping you fine-tune your website and marketing efforts. Several WordPress plugins can help you track this data, so again, be sure to do some research and find one that best meets your needs.
By following these tips, you can ensure that your website is well-maintained and continues to run smoothly.
Creating a website can be daunting, but following these tips can make the process easier and less overwhelming. Just remember to focus on your goal, keep your target audience in mind, and create high-quality content that is easy to read and understand. And don’t forget to promote your site once it’s live!