4 Powerful Ways Building a Website Can Transform Your Business
I’ve heard it so many times from clients: they didn’t realize that the process of building a website would be so involved AND they didn’t realize how much clarity they would get on their business by going through the process. It’s true, if you want to get crystal clear on your business you need to see just how powerful web design can be and take it seriously.
But what does that actually mean? It means that the seemingly linear, tech-oriented process of web design is ACTUALLY a soulful, reflective process that you can use as a catalyst toward building a sustainable business that fits you like a glove (and shines a much-needed light in the world).
Here are four ways that you’ll experience the powerful transformation that web design can offer your purposeful work.
1. Web design makes you get clear on your services.
If you’re a new business owner, you might have a somewhat hazy idea of what your services will be and how you’ll work with clients. Truth be told, you’re likely copying the formula that your training program told you about or you’re looking around at others doing the same work and copying their setup.
It’s true, there are “industry standards” that people generally uphold when designing their businesses. And if you’re licensed, you’ll need to follow the rules to keep that license. If you bill insurance, you’ll also have to get good at figuring out how to match up your work with your billing (or hire someone amazing to do it for you).
But even within those confines, there is usually quite a bit of creative freedom. You probably have many options for designing your services, setting up your offerings, and supporting your clients — more than you’ve likely imagined.
Once you start the web design process, you need to have a clear understanding of your work in order to create your Services page. While it’s totally fine to start with a vague page of various options you’re testing out to find the one or two you love… At some point in your business, you’re going to have to start getting more specific in order to build work that can truly sustain you.
The benefit for your clients here is that you’re crafting a service that is magic — because you feel magically perfect for it. They’re getting a specific experience of support they can’t get from anyone else.
Web design gets your wheels turning and gives you so many aha moments. It’s the Getting Out of Your Head and Onto the Paper experience you need to start creating business momentum.
When you have to write about your work with a lot of heart, you have to get very clear about what that work truly is. And that’s the magic of the web design process.
2. Building a website makes you get clear on YOU.
Crafting a compelling About page makes you take a long hard look at yourself. In this moment, you can either let imposter syndrome take over and cause you to get afraid and want to hide. Or. You can use this experience to fall in love with your work, your story, and your commitment to your work.
If you’re a healer who has been working on your healing, you’ll recognize that familiar sense of resistance to growth. It’s a challenge to be more visible and to put yourself out there. It pushes you right out of your comfort zone and asks you to take a level of confidence that you might not have experienced before.
For those of us who value humility, are introverted, or otherwise sensitive, this might feel weird. But just know that it’s an invitation out of hiding and into a version of yourself that you’ve quietly been dying to create.
And remember that this is about the work and less about you than you think. You’re sharing you to build more trust and share your message that can heal others.
YOU’RE CREATING AN ONLINE NEST THAT FEELS SAFE AND INVITING.
Let your About page be a source of self transformation.
Let that photoshoot enliven you, empower you, and guide you toward your sense of self-power. Then sit with the discomfort as you integrate those photos and that copy onto your About page. And then let your visibility empower you even more.
YOU OWE IT TO YOUR CLIENTS TO DO THE WORK YOU’RE ALSO ASKING THEM TO DO.
3. Website design makes you get clear on your ideal clients.
When most people start out, they’re not yet sure who they want to work with. So they write copy that is very vague and general.
If you’ve ever encountered copywriting that’s for “everyone,” you’ll quickly realize how non-captivating it is. Easy to glance over and ignore.
That’s how it feels when you land on a coach, therapist, or nutritionist website that isn’t speaking directly to your specific frustrating experience and need. It makes you feel meh. So you click away in search of that special someone.
When someone is looking for a healer, they’re looking for someone who can complete their sentences. They’ve likely been through a dozen professionals already and felt completely misunderstood. They’re looking for The One to help them solve their struggle at long last.
In order to create a website that easily converts clients without resorting to “selling,” you’ve got to write compelling copy that speaks right to Your People.
Which means… You need to clearly identify who your people are first.
YES, it’s fine to start out your business with a vague idea, write more general copy, and then return to your website often to update, tweak, and refine.
As a beginning entrepreneur, it’s important that we test things out to discover and then fine tune our zone of genius. We’re not all going to be great at the same things (or love the same experiences) — and it’s your business, so build one that feels like home.
But as you’re writing that general-audience copy, just remember that you’re putting out the intention of becoming more specific very soon. And then work toward that specificity. Don’t let your website go stale or put off leveling up until “the future.” Let your intention light a fire under you to test your work until you find your niche.
Pro tip: My favorite way to niche? Not the commonly recommended route of focusing on a too-specific subject. But instead I prefer starting with identifying your aligned values and then lining those up with the ideal people you want to work with. Shared values means you’ll speak the same language and care about the same things — magic!
Over time you’ll discover that there’s something similar about the people you love working with… and once you identify that, you’ll have found your soulmate client niche.
4. Web design inspires you to stop cutting corners + automate.
When we’re building our businesses, it can be easy to procrastinate fixing some of our weaker points. I’m not talking about personal flaws. I’m talking about your business infrastructure.
You might be spending WAY too much time responding to emails and texts from your clients. Setting up paperwork, building contracts for each client, and chasing payments…feeling obnoxious for sending that third email about scheduling a time to meet.
One of the coolest features of having a website is turning it into your own personal assistant. Harnessing the powers of technology to free up your time from mindless tasks (which means more time with your kids and out in nature).
Website building itself won’t automate things for you (other than your sales process once you’ve written compelling copy that leaves people unquestionably ready to work with you!). But putting together your website invites you to fully flesh out your overall workflow and business infrastructure.
And your website becomes the hub where all of these supportive tech applications connect together.
For example, you can use Squarespace Scheduling to allow clients to book free discovery calls, book their sessions with you, scheduling workshops and classes, and so much more. All without you having to do anything more than set it up the first time and maintain your calendar.
You can also add a CRM to your mix of supportive technology, allowing you to automate your proposal, contract, invoicing, questionnaire workflow, and so much more. (By the way, 17hats is the CRM I use and love - it’s affordable, looks very professional, and is easy to automate. You can use my affiliate link here to get 50% off your first year through Feb. 2022 and occasionally after that.)
While this point is a much less soulful and much more linear perspective, the fact is that a sustainable business is built on more than just soul. It’s built for longevity and to free you up from mindless tasks, leaving you more time for your family, your life, and your own self-care. And that’s valuable!
Web Design is a Portal
It seems really strange to say, but I truly believe that web design is a portal into soul work. Yes, you can do things the surface-skimming way. But you’ll be doing your business a disservice as your website won’t offer the compelling copy and design that will book your soulmate clients.
As I’ve said in previous blog posts, business building is a quick fiery path toward self actualization…if we allow it to be. It’s one of those intense life experiences that make us look in the mirror and say “Who am I truly? And what was I put on this earth to do?”
You’ll likely reinvent your work over and over again. And that’s a good thing. It means your sense of self and purpose is evolving.
And, yes, it often starts with a simple web design process that asks you to dig deep. To answer the hard questions. To face your insecurities. To take a stand for what you believe in. To stop playing small, and start being a Healer in the biggest, truest sense of the word.
Are you ready to step into the portal and start to transform your work and life? The world needs you and there are a lot of people out there just waiting for you to be the perfect person to help them solve something they really care about. The healer ripple effect is powerful.
I believe in you.
If the tech side of web design is stressing you out, never fear. My template shop is now open! Focus on the soulful, reflective side of your business, then easily integrate it into one of my Squarespace templates for a supportive DIY web design experience.
Want to take “website” off your to-do list entirely? I’ll customize your website template with your content, giving you an expert’s refined design eye and know-how without the high cost of a custom design.
