But in case you were wondering HOW I can help, here's how....
So happy Sam at STC messaged me about her services! What a treat it has been to learn her knowledge and help me grow my business . Her website design has streamlined my business and helped make my life a whole lot easier ! Thank you Sam and STC!
- Burlap and Butterflies
Your digital marketing survival guide
YOUR BRAND
A brand is a particular quality that your business has that makes your business recognizable immediately by the public. Having a brand is s smart move if you're looking to set yourself apart from other businesses like yours.
There are things you need to communicate:
There are things you need to do:
YOUR MESSAGE
Every business has something they are trying to convey - whether it's obvious like trying to convince people that they need to recycle to save the planet or subtle like buying a new F150 will suddenly increase your manliness. Whatever your business is about, you need to figure out what message you're trying to get out there.
YOUR ORIGINALITY
These days, everyone is trying to start their own business. Whatever it is, there is most likely hundreds of people trying to do the same thing. You need to set yourself apart from the others by letting them know how you're different; what makes your business unique and original.
MARKET
Marketing, as I'm sure we all know, is of utmost importance if you want to get your name - or brand - recognized. Although marketing material can be fun, it must remain professional, this is the most important part of your business and so you must ensure that even if you're being silly or using "trendy" language, you are staying professional.
COMMUNICATE
Communicating is equally as important, especially as a start up business. But in your communication, this is where you can have a little more fun and add some flair to your brand. You can communicate through Facebook posts, funny anecdotes on your website, and even videos and recordings. That being said, your Facebook posts and email/messages still must omit typos and text message shortcuts.
PROMOTE
Proper promotion can make or break your business, but it's really tricky and what may work wonders for your friend's business may not work for yours. Promotion is company-specific and requires a great deal of creativity to make it successful. In order to use promotion to entice your market, think about WHO your market is and speak to them in their language - that will help reel them in and, hopefully, take advantage of your promotions.
the creation process
determine the dream
Together, we will determine exactly what your business is, who your target market is, what image you and your business are trying to project and any preconceived ideas you have for your site.
determine the dream
map the organization
Just like in the olden days, I use good ol' paper and pen and plan out the site to the very last detail so that I can be sure that I am creating the best, most functional site to suit the purpose of your business.
Create the design
Unfortunately for me, but fortunately for you, this is the part that takes me the longest. As a perfectionist, I have a difficult time just "throwing something together." I need to ensure that every piece looks the way I imagined it would, that it doesn't look awkward, and that it is the best representation of the design you have asked for. Sometimes, it can take hours for me to find the right image or font for your site. Luckily for you, you don't pay me per hour. Not only do I want to live up to my own personal expectations and reputations, I want you to have a website you get excited to show off. That being said, although I can take my time creating your site, I make sure to always make my deadlines, and if no deadline is given, I restrict myself to 4 weeks.
Develop the content
A good way to turn potential customers and/or clients away is to have improper writing practices. One of the most unprofessional things you can do as a business owner is to have spelling mistakes, grammar errors, slang, and strong language in your content. Consistently noticing errors in your content gives the illusion that you don't pay attention enough to detail and no one wants to hire or purchase something from sloppy, unprofessional people. Additionally, content writing is not only about informing, but it's also about selling. You need to be clear in your descriptions, you need to convince your audience that your site/business is the one they want to be at. You do this by using clear-cut language, special sales keywords, and using confident in what you offer.
Assemble the operation
This is when all the hard work, all the business part of the website, starts coming together. Although I do it throughout as well, this is where I begin adding all the product/galleries, creating the contact information, putting in all the news clipping, entering product descriptions and prices, cataloging and so on. This is when your shop, or your service, becomes real!
implement the background
I do this part closest to the end, it makes us all feel like the end is near (and launch day is, too!). This is when I start all the background work: developing a calendar, imposing an events page, creating a customized and automatic shipping and taxing system, creating the payment system, implementing the policies required by law if you're taking personal information, and so much more. This when I also do all the SEOs (search engine optimization), adding you to Google directory, implementing key words, adding titles (searchable by Google) to every image on your site and so on.
Open for business
Now that everything is designed, written and set up, you can share your beautiful new site with the world! Tell everyone you know - and if this is your first step into your business, this is only your first step - now comes the hard work!
