website-purpose

 

By now you should have a clear understanding of your Website’s 1) major overall purpose (Web001|Website Planning Worksheet (PURPOSE).pdf) and 2) your website’s real immediate purpose (i.e. to establish trust). Now in this section, you will learn how to design your individual pages such that they support your website’s purpose.

There are certain principles on how you can make people do what you want them to do and we will discuss these shortly. But in order to implement these, first you need to know exactly what your goals are for each of your major pages, and then determine exactly what is it that you want people to do.

 

What Are The Pages That You Want Included In Your Website?

Here are the most common pages for a Virtual Assistant/Freelance Website. It’s ok to have just the basics at this point. You will continue to build your pages once we get to the 6 Principles of Persuasion.

  • Home/ Homepage – You need a compelling headline that encapsulates your overall value to your ideal client. Your USP or your Value Proposition.
    • A USP or Unique Selling Proposition is what sets you apart. It basically answers the core question in your client’s mind, “Why should I hire you over your competitor? What differentiates you?” 
    • A common mistake newbie Virtual Assistants make is waste the valuable homepage space with a lengthy definition of “What is a Virtual Assistant?” Do not do this! You only 3-5 seconds to sway a reader to stay. Posting a wiki definition is clearly not going to do the job. What you may want to do instead is to direct the readers, via a hyperlink, to the full definition. You may either refer to another post on your site or refer to a credible external source (i.e.Wikipedia What is a Virtual Assistant?).
  • Solutions/Services – Ideally, you should sell Solutions, not Services.
  • Packages/Rates – Ideally, you should have Packages, not Service Rates. The other is differentiated and not easily comparable. The latter is not.
  • Portfolio – Your no-less-than-perfect designs/samples. This is very important as it reduces potential Client’s fear about you not being able to deliver the job. An excellent portfolio, especially if it represents exactly what the client is looking for, can easily close a deal. It’s what they want and they can see it right then and there. Deal close. If you need an inspiration, visit Krop Portfolio – elegantly designed, impressive portfolios.
  • Contacts – The key here is to be as accessible as you comfortably feel as possible. If you have other obligations (don’t we all?), make sure you clearly indicate that in your site as well.
  • About – May include interesting tidbits about you. Keep it crisp and relevant. Examples of credibility loaded words that you can use (as appropriate)| Solid experience, Expert, Informed, Trained, Skilled.
  • Testimonials – discussed in the next section.

 

Copywriting 101 | Excellent Tips from Web Copy That Sells

image Here are some excellent tips from the book Web Copy That Sells

  • Your logo, Company name, header, graphics & other non selling features do not take up a sizeable chunk of the first screen.

  • Style | Your overall web copy should be scan able.

    • Use bulleted lists

    • Highlight selected keywords

    • Incorporate interesting stories or case studies, significant facts

    • Are the paragraphs broken down to 2-4 sentences

  • Offer Testimonials

    • Use testimonials in strategically placed areas.

    • Offer free bonuses or gifts an incentive

    • Include a guarantee that removes the risk from purchase

You may find the full online checklist here check Formula for Mathematically Measuring the Selling Quotient of a Website provided by  Web Copy Writing University.


 

For Each Of The Pages, What Is Your Desired Outcome?

Go thru each of your pages and try to determine exactly what you hope to achieve. Do you want to get leads? Do you want sell your solutions/packages right then and there on your website? Do you want to establish “Brand You”? Do you want to establish your “Supreme Influence” status? Or do you merely want an extension of your job board portfolio? Whatever your desired outcome, it should be congruent with your overall website objective. Designing your website with a specific purpose in mind, will make your website much more effective.

Here’s a simple example for you. Don’t worry if as at this point, you can only answer your items 1 Desired Outcome. You will learn the principles, as well as action plans on the next section.

 

 web002websiteplanningworksheet    


 stop 

Draft Your Website Pages & Desired Outcome

Now think thru the pages you want to be included in your website and for each, determine your desired outcome. As at this point, you will only be able to answer item 1 of your worksheet. If you are running blank, consider googling other Virtual Assistant’s website. Don’t copy. In fact, you need to differentiate yourself. Just use it to get your creative juices flowing. There’s also a lot you can learn from this site BrickWork India & this site AskSunday. Observe how they structure their contents.

pdficon Download| Web002|Website Planning Worksheet (PAGES)

mindjet  Create Your Own Map in  MindJet


 

NEXT >> Apply The 6 Principles of Persuasion on Your Website

JUMP TO >> Videos Build Your Own Website

JUMP TO >> Create Your Own Website Competition

 

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