The State of Websites Today

Welcome Lisa! Thank you so much for being here today and sharing your website wisdom with this community.

I know that today is a BIG day for you. For those that don’t know, after being at the blog, Lisa is co-leading a 4-part telecourse with Ali Brown about Website Sales, that starts this evening.

http://www.alibrown.com/websales/

Lisa I also know that you are a super star in so many areas when it comes to marketing, entrepreneurship, and writing. It’s wonderful to have you here.

Alright, let the games begin. Ask Lisa your juicy questions…

I’ll start…re: websites. Do you have any thoughts on having your ‘blog’ as your home page, vs. an official home page. (I used to have the former, and recently changed it.)

Good morning Soul-Filled readers,

I’m so excited to meet each of you today and exchange conversation. What a delightful way to start the day. Please don’t be shy. I’m interested to hear from you and look forward to reading what’s on your mind. For now, I need a wee bit more coffee. You?

Write on!~

Lisa

Hi Heather,

First, thanks for inviting me to play in the Soul-Filled cafe. Cafe readers — I adore Heather and I’m excited to be here.

Second — thanks so much for the shout out about 24-7 Web Sales Secrets. Imagine my delight when Ali selected me to co-create this course with her. It’s going to be really juicy. there were thousands on the preview call and hundreds of people enrolling still. It’s a clear sign that websites are a hot topic (there’s still time to register — our first call is tonight).

Finally the answer to your question: Using a blog platform for your overall site is commonplace now. The WordPress platform is fantastic and many blogsites can be designed to function as a webpage. So, my answer is — it depends on your strategy. I don’t recommend featuring your blog postings on your homepage unless you have a specific strategy that will move your business forward. For me, my blog (www.writeoncreative.com/blog) is another “free taste” and separate from my website (wwww.writeoncreative.com). When people go to my website I would like them to select the service that best suits their needs and invest in themselves and their businesses.

Write on!~

Lisa

Just came in from walking my dog. Getting the coffee pot going too.

Hi Heather and Lisa!

Lisa, great seeing you here today! Great article! And congratulations on working with Ali Brown in your tele-class series. Sounds like it’s an amazing success!!

My question is a continuation of Heathers … you mention it depends on your strategy if you set up a blog as your home page … or to attract a service that’s more appropriate for the customer.

Can you speak a little more about strategy?

My customer is a professional single woman who wants to meet and marry her man. Most customers want help getting started to meet their man. In your opinion, what would be the best strategy to give them what they want when they first see my site?

Thanks and have a great day!!

Love, Cherry

Yes — you are definitely tapping into a hot topic. So much has changed in the last few years. I love the wordpress platform. I now notice when I land on a website that feels very “turn of the century ” ;^) … with pretty flashy things and sparkles and cloud backgrounds, but difficult to find a way to do anything, beyond click some links. There will be a museum for websites one day…

Hi Cherry,

How fabulous to see your smiling face here. Sending you a BIG virtual hug.

The work you do is important and women are looking for connection and answers when they come to your site. Clearly you want to provide them with support via your services, correct? What is the #1 thing most of your ideal clients are seeking? It probably goes deeper than “love”. For you (and I haven’t looked at your site for a while) — I suggest a clear, concise message to provide a heart connection and lead them to the next logical step of continuing your relationship. Address what they most desire and deliver. You can create your homepage on a blog platform BUT I wouldn’t have have your blog postings as the first thing people see. While blogs are a great way to share information (and RSS feeds are insanely good for search engine rankings), it’s also easy for people to get lost in that information and not take action.

Write on!~

Lisa

Heather,

I love your Soul-Filled Cafe graphic with the coffee beans and groovy mug. I’m enjoying my fresh ground, fresh brewed java in a purple Fiesta Ware mug with lots of Half & Half. Cheers!~

Lisa,

Thanks so much for your swift reply and excellent advice !! A clear, concise message addressing their primary desire is simple and effective. I agree that when I go to someone’s blog … unless I’m already familiar with who they are and the business they do … I’m lost with so many articles and posts.

Thank you so much for your insight and wisdom! Love connecting with you again!!

Love, Cherry

Ha! I love it. The thing that is important to remember about websites is you cannot just “set it and forget it” (isn’t that from a Crockpot commercial?) — websites are an ever evolving extension of your business.

Dear Lisa,
Thanks for being with us. I guess being 7 hours ahead has its benefits for being one of the first to interact with you. Just yesterday I was listening to the interview you did with Heather in the Laptop Lifestyle series. Thank you for the above tip. I’ve already updated my website to get my freebie above the fold! We launched our website almost 3 weeks ago and have gotten a lot of lookers but no sales yet. Any intuitive hits that you could offer me?

ooo, purple fiesta ware mug! I love that your branding is so true to you!!

Thanks re: the graphic. It felt fitting to the name. And I do love coffee…:)

cheers (having freshly grounded Trader Joe’s Sumatra coffeee, mmm w/ whole milk) in my favorite mug that I picked up in the Johannesburg airport in South Africa (in ’09)

Hi there,

I am so glad you’re enjoying the Laptop Lifestyle Freedom Kit. That was one of my favorite projects to participate in because I’m so passionate about working and playing anywhere I choose.

Regarding your site. ..My first thought, without seeing your site, is your copy. What are you asking people to do? Are you “selling” or offering solutions?

Write on!~

Lisa

in case you wanted to take a look first :0)
singtolearnesl.com

Hi Mary Kay,

Thanks for providing the link. I can address general questions but am not reviewing sites. That’s one of my services (the Manyon Marketing Web Makeover).

Write on!~

Lisa

Roger that. Thank you. What is one of the most common mistakes newbies make when creating an effective, profitable website?

Hi Mary Kay — thanks for being here. I can’t resist looking at websites, so I hopped over to your site. First — it’s gorgeous. I haven’t watched the video but it’s very welcoming. And looks well targeted (clearly I am not your audience, b/c I had to think about what “ESL” is…)

Here’s my 2 cents. There are probably even better ways to make the conversion from the “freebie” to the pay option.

It’s such a hurdle for people. When people say there is a “know, like, trust” factor and “will this solve my pain”– it is sooo true. Even for something that costs only $9. People will always go to — well, can I get this somewhere else? Do I need it now? These are the things you need to overcome.

I do recommend checking out Lisa for a makeover — or even smarter might be to jump on the series with her and Ali. (alibrown.com/websales) — I should probably be putting my affiliate link in here… ha.

And then my other thought is that there is so much you can do to bring even better leads to your website. Are you speaking? Are you being interviewed by other experts? Activities like these will bring people to your website who are ‘warmer’ leads.

Hope this helps. Thoughts?

Mary Kay,

Absolutely — there are TWO common mistakes that I see most frequently.

1) Your copy isn’t connecting
2) You have no strategy to get people to your site

With no conversions you’ll definitely want to also look at HOW you’re getting people to your site and what you’re asking them to do once they are there.

Write on!~

Lisa

yes, good idea not to turn this into website makeover sessions. (though I have a hard time resisting a link…) Oh, the bunny trails I explore online. Have to watch myself.

Lisa — do you find that you always have your “manyon makeover” hat on when you land on websites?

Terrific advice! Thanks for following up on that original Q Cherry.

Excellent advice, Heather. It’s so hard for me NOT to look at sites and provide feedback. I’m teaching myself to be of service but to also have clear boundaries.

Good morning Lisa and Heather,

A very warm thanks to both of you for sharing today. I’m ready with my steaming cup of tea….

My site is a blog-site as well, fully designed and created myself. And I DO love tweaking it and making changes periodically. I’ve opted for a “home” or static page as the landing page rather than a blogroll. I find it to be neater and more welcoming. My strategy is to share my writing with others and my goal is to also encourage them to want to learn more. (the service) Part of my desire in expanding the service is to engage more with the audience/users on my site. Could you offer some tips on the most effective way to build this into my website, also how to increase the visitors/users and encourage them to use the services offered?

I appreciate anything you might share.

Sending you much love and gratitude,
Jackie

Lisa –

Tagging on to this thread, I’m wondering what tips you have to resolve these two issues.

Jackie

Hi Jackie,

My number one suggestion is to approach your website with clear intent. Focus on purpose (this is the “why” of your website) and strategy (this is “how: you’ll achieve your purpose).

Note: Often when people tell me their biggest “why” is to make money and that is their #1 intent, they are NOT energetically aligned with being of service and that alone can make a site not perform well. People can tell if you want to be of service.

Make sure your website engages, informs, develops relationships, flows well and promotes action.

Write on!~

Lisa

Hi Jackie,

Your strategy of being of service and offering those services via your website is solid. You’ve clearly thought about what will best serve your idea clients and that is terrific. There are several ways to engage people on your site. Some examples: Interactive quizzes and/or video. Think about sites that you are drawn to. What is it that most appeals to you? What are your ideal clients looking for?

Write on!~

Lisa

Yes, for the most part I cannot help it. I start reviewing and analyzing everything from design to flow to copy to the psychology behind it all.

The law of giving and receiving…great advice, Lisa.

My sense is that “figuring out websites” really causes us to sharpen our saws for what it is we are doing with our biz’s

Great to have you here Jackie. What is your website? And — a tip for commenting — you can add your website link, that way people will be able to click thru to your website. (Add your link when you register using the “post as” button.

yes, works for crockpot meals, not for websites!! awesome.

It’s funny too, b/c what is the ‘state of websites today’ — will probably be completely different in a year or so. And people will be saying, oh, WordPress blog — so 2010.

Heather – thank you. My website is http://www.jackielrobinson.com. I love the newsletters I receive for you and am learning so much through this interaction with both you and Lisa today. Thank you both.

Lisa – those questions easily help me to gain some more direction.

If I may – another question arises though. The interaction – sometimes I struggle to find the line between empty self-promotion for the sake of building a client/visitor base and truly providing links and information that is valuable. It’s easily defined in my mind, but then I guess sometimes I struggle to transfer that to the application. As I’m typing, I realize perhaps this isn’t a question for you at all, lol. But there’s anything you might add, I would love to hear it!

I agree wholeheartedly. Money cannot be the main focus….if it is, you lose the HEART of it. Thank you. xo

Lisa,
As a photographer, I have a site in development that focuses on the photographic services I provide. As someone who creates an “experience” for my clients to tap into their authentic self, their passions, discover what they love about themselves and how to bring it forward, I am going to start doing retreat-style workshops. The camera will be a witness to the transformation, photographs will definitely be part of the outcome, but I will no longer be “just a photographer”. Would you recommend building a new site just for the retreat work, or have all of it on one site? I have a small amount of branding presence but not so much that people would lose track of who I am if there is a new biz name/site, etc.

Liz

Hi Liz,

That sounds beautiful. Your strategy will largely depend on how you want to tie the two art-forms together. It sounds as if your photography will be a big part of your retreats and there may be ways to incorporate the two. For example: as part of your retreat packages a bonus might be a personalized photo album on the journey. You might also find that people want to purchase your prints (you could offer various packages there, too). So, it wouldn’t hurt to have everything on one site if you have a strategy to support how it ties together. Are you using a specific business name for your URL or your own personal name?

Write on!~

Lisa

Thanks for being here Liz! Love what you are bringing to the world (and great Q)

Beautiful website. And so interesting. I was just listening to Carolyn Myss in the car last week — her audio about “Grace” — and then here you are, someone who mentored with her. Love the synchronicity.

Heather,

I just want to say it’s been a blast hanging out with your community.
Thanks so much for having me here today.
I know I’m “officially” supposed to be done at 5 your time but I’ll pop back in later to make sure we don’t miss anyone.

Write on!~

Lisa

Jackie and Heather,

Yes, once we are really clear the rest will follow. It’s really beautiful. And sometimes it’s OK to know the rules and break them anyway if it works for you.

Write on!~

Lisa

Jackie,

If you approach everything from a place of service your message will begin to flow and you’ll get more comfortable with it. Remember — when people come to your website they are seeking solutions and answers. If the information you provide helps you are doing what you need to do.

Does that make sense?

Write on!~

Lisa

Thanks Lisa! Have a great teleclass.

I really appreciate having your time and wisdom today at the cafe.

Hi, Lisa,

Just wanted to say how much I have enjoyed your posts (and the great questions) today! You have a wonderful wealth of information to share!

Thanks so much, Lisa and Heather, for creating this great day together!

Warmly,
Sue

Hi Sue,

Isn’t it wonderful how Heather brings together such delightful and informative people? So glad you enjoyed the post and it’s always great to connect.

Write on!~

Lisa

Thank you Sue and Lisa! It’s peeps like you that help to make this community what it is.

Thank you again Lisa for your gracious hosting and Sue thanks for bringing your lovely self and words to the blog.

Lots of more fun this month — with 3 fab guests lined up for our Cafe Wednesdays.

<3

Thanks so much for personal attention and free tips, Heather. I will reflect on each of them more deeply and try to integrate them. The web is so amazing and often overwhelming.

sending love,
Mary Kay