Picture this: you just pulled up to Target, got yourself your faveee iced caramel macchiato and sauntered over to Bullseye’s Playground to see if there’s anything cute that you know you don’t NEED but obviously have to buy (because that’s how Target works, right?)

…and suddenly, you hear your phone *PING!*

You look down and see a notification on your phone: someone just purchased your offer straight from your website, and you didn’t even have to convince or sell them on a discovery call. THE DREAM, right??

This is the power of a high-converting website.

Seeing sales roll in and having your website sell for you is what we ALL want as small business owners, and the truth is…having a website that is DIYed without strategy, a clean design and a clear customer journey could be why you’re not bringing in those sales on autopilot like you want.

The pitfalls of a DIY website

Listen, I’m not trying to rag on you if your website is DIYed. We all start somewhere and as a new business owner, we have to leverage the fact that we have more time to invest than money, so a DIY website may be the only option.

But eventually, a DIY website just won’t cut it.

Here are some of the struggles you’re probably facing if you’ve had a DIY website for awhile:

1. Lack of professional design:
   Unless you’re a design wiz – which let’s be real, not all of us are – a lot of times, DIY websites just don’t look as professional as they could. You might be feeling a little embarrassed when someone says “hey can you send me your website?” knowing it doesn’t quite represent the level of quality that you provide in your work. Not only that, but if you used a website template, it can be hard to really know how to capture your brand’s unique style and personality, which just leaves your website feeling a little generic vs. standing out.
   
2. Updating can be time-consuming:
   As a busy business owner, things like updating or fixing your website can take a lot of time and be frustrating AF. What you think is just a minor tweak can completely fuck up your formatting for your entire page, then you spend 45 minutes trying to get everything back to normal when you could be working on something more important in your business.
   
3. Poor user experience:
   One of the things can kill your website conversions is a poor user experience when they land on your website. Pages take too long to load, it’s not optimized for mobile devices, it’s difficult to navigate…all of these factors will lead someone to click right on to someone else’s website.
   
4. Ineffective at converting visitors:
   This is like, THE thing we want our website to do for us, right? Bring in those DOLLA DOLLA BILLS Y’ALL! But a lot of times, a DIY website can struggle to convert visitors to customers due to a lack of design, strategy or call to actions. Your website may be missing opportunities to capture leads on your website or even the necessary SEO elements that will help you bring in organic traffic.
   
5. Limited functionality:
   Many times, a DIY website doesn’t have all of the functionality that you’re looking for in your dream website. Maybe you want to have a membership area for people to subscribe to, maybe you want to add in a lead magnet download so you can grow your email list, maybe you want to have some cool scrolling text on your homepage to bring some vibrancy and movement to your website, maybe you want to add in a digital download shop…the sky is really the limit when it comes to your website, but if you are DIYing, you are probably not tapping into the full potential that your website can reach.

The hidden costs of a DIY website

This part might be a reality check, friend…but ultimately, your DIY website could be costing you money.

Ummm, no thanks. We’re here to MAKE money in our business, amiright??

Here’s the thing – having to work on a DIY website and keep it updated takes time. And time is a valuable AF resource because you don’t get it back. That time you’re spending trying to reformat one little text box that just won’t fucking move the way you want it to is time that could be spent finishing up your new offer, or planning out your next launch, or networking with potential clients.

Not only that, but a poorly designed website could be an immediate turn-off for a potential client.

If someone goes to your website and sees something that is clearly DIYed and doesn’t give off those professional vibes, it’s very unlikely that they will convert to a customer. Because people want to work with people that are legit.

The power of a strategic website

So what exactly does it mean when your website is ACTUALLY created with strategy in mind?

1. Clear branding and messaging:
   You’re consistent with the colors, fonts and visual elements on your website. Not only that, but you’re clear about who you’re serving, how you can help and you share that across every page of your website.
   
2. A user-centric design:
   This means intuitive navigation that guides website visitors effortlessly throughout your website. A mobile-responsive design that looks just as great on phones/tablets as it does on desktops. Fast load times so that your peeps aren’t bouncing right off your website the minute they land on it.
   
3. Conversion optimization:
   Your calls-to-action are placed strategically and often throughout your website, making it super easy for someone to be able to buy when they are ready. You have sales pages for your offers to clearly showcase the problems you solve, how you solve them and what people get when they work with you. You also make it super easy for people to opt into your email list with easy forms to fill out or pop-ups.
   
4. SEO-friendly:
   Having a website that helps boost your SEO is so helpful in driving traffic and ultimately bringing GOOD quality people to your page that are looking for the solutions you offer. You can do this with the proper use of keywords in your content, including meta descriptions for your pages and good headlines. Ultimately, it all comes to having high-quality content that provides value so that you’re attracting organic traffic to your website.
   
5. Effective content strategy:
   The content on your website plays a huge role in how you’re able to convert your visitors. Having a blog that is updated regularly, different types of media on your pages (videos, photos, etc.) and clear, informative descriptions when it comes to your services are all key to a website that converts.

When it comes down to it, the most important part of a strategic website is clear branding, messaging and a user journey. Period. Insert Captain Planet reference: “with our powers combined…” (do I sound old now?) But for reals, these 3 things combined will help turn your DIY website into a high-converting powerhouse that brings your next clients in FOR YOU.

Ultimately, a strategic website is so fucking important because it allows you to streamline your business, which saves you time, and therefore saves you MONEY, HONEY. Your website’s sales page could lay out everything a prospective client would want to know and end with a buy button, taking them straight to a checkout where they can purchase your offer. Then, your CRM (like Honeybook, Dubsado, etc.) can be set up so that when someone buys that offer, it automatically sends them a “Getting Started” email with a link to schedule a kick off call for you. ALL WHILE YOU SIPPED SPICY MARGS AT HAPPY HOUR WITH YOUR GIRLFRIENDS. A strategic website allows you to still do business while you’re off the clock, giving you back time while STILL making you money.

Branded websites: The game-changer

Let’s talk a minute about branding, because this is another HUGE aspect of your business that is going to help set you apart from all the other people out there offering similar services as you.

Your brand is what shows people who you are, how you help, what you’re about, your overall vibes and helps build that strong connection with ideal clients.

A branded website done well will reflect your unique style, your energy and the values that you stand for as a business owner and just overall human being. A website with branding that is more minimalist and classic may attract one type of client, where as a website with a whimsical, colorful and bold brand will attract a completely different type of client.

Branding is super duper important because it helps you attract aligned clients who resonate with your business. Isn’t that what we all want? To work with dope ass clients that just light us the fuck up? HELL YES.

Here’s how the right branding on your website will help you attract the RIGHT potential clients:

1. It creates a strong first impression:
   When a potential client lands on your website, your branding will make an immediate first impression on them, so ensuring that your branding is on point, aligned and consistent is important.
   
2. It communicates core values and your mission:
   If your branding is clear and authentic, it will strongly convey your business’ values, vision and mission. Potential clients that share these same values will then be naturally drawn to your business. You want your branding to tell a story so that you can really resonate emotionally with your website visitors and create that deep connection with them.
   
3. It helps you stand apart from your competitors:
   Unique branding is what will help you stand out in a crowded market. Your branding should highlight what makes you special and the right clients will feel aligned with this so they are more likely to choose YOU over anyone else.
   
4. It builds trust and credibility:
   Clear and consistent branding helps foster trust and reliability among your people. Clients feel more confident in their decision to work with a business that presents itself consistently across all avenues. Strong branding encourages repeat business and long-term loyalty from clients who feel a genuine connection to you.
   
5. It attracts clients who share similar aesthetics and preferences:
   When your branding represents your business’ style and personality, you’re going to be a MAGNET for potential clients that totally fuck with your vibe. You’re going to be more likely to attract aligned clients that appreciate your business’ style and approach which will just make you a HAPPIER business owner because you’re working with the RIGHT people.

Along with clear and consistent branding, just making sure that your business is aesthetically pleasing will help show that professionalism to website visitors. When you combine a website that has the aesthetics with good functionality (that clear navigation, mobile responsiveness, etc.) pssssh, GAME OVER. That is when your website conversions will increase and you’ll REALLY see the power of a strategic website.

How I helped my client go from a linktree in her Instagram bio to a full on, strategically designed, client-converting website

Want to see what a strategic website looks like in action?

Meet my client, Alexis.

She is a mental health coach that had been using a linktree in her Instagram bio to share about her business and offers. Her work is truly transformative and she knew that a beautifully branded and strategic website was going to be the BEST way that she could bring more clients into her business.

Alexis struggled with creating a website that was felt like her and was able to bring her strengths to life. She tried the DIY website before and it left her overwhelmed.

She decided to get started with my Website in a Week offer where we mapped out her branding and built out her beautiful new website in just a week. I asked her questions about her brand, how she wants people to FEEL when they land on her website, which offers she wanted to highlight, the whole shebang.

She wanted to focus on 2 of her signature offers: her 1:1 transformative sessions and her 1:1 Voxer coaching, as well as highlight her podcast. I made sure when building out her website that:

• We had multiple calls-to-action throughout every page so that people could easily purchase her offer when they were ready.
• Made sure her branding was clear and consistent across every single page
• Included an email opt-in on majority of her pages so she could grow her list
• Created a dedicated page for her offers that laid out how both of them could help her ideal clients, as well as a whole separate page dedicated to her podcast
• Integrated her Instagram feed into the footer of her website so that people had another place to connect with her off of her website

And in just a week, we launched her website that is now working to bring her next client in for her. HELLZ YES.

After working together, she felt clear and READY to just start taking action in her business. She said, “I feel like I have a place to share my work rather than sending them to my IG and hoping that they get what I do.”

This is truly the power of your website.

When it’s clear, backed with strategy, infused with your brand, has tons of opportunities to take action and includes ways for people to continue to build a connection with you via social media or your email list, this is when your website will start bringing in your next client without you feeling the need to constantly hustle to make it happen.

Launch your dream strategic website in a week with Alexa Lucky Creative

Now that you see just how much a strategic website will help you gain back both time and money, let’s ACTUALLY get it off your to do list, friend.

With Website in a Week, I will help you get your website up so you can have that 24/7 employee working for you. At Alexa Lucky Creative, my soul mission is to help other service based female business owners feel confident AF growing their business knowing they have a strategic, beautiful and branded website in their arsenal.

How amazing would it feel to know that your website is FINALLY getting checked off your to do list? As a busy entrepreneur, I know that a quick turnaround is so helpful because ain’t nobody got time to wait around for 8-12 weeks for their website to be done. So why not get it launched in a week??

Here’s how it works:

• Fill out an application online at alexaluckycreative.com.
• I’ll reach out if you have any questions based on your application and send over the contract/invoice when you’re ready to DO the damn thing
• Once that is complete, I send over my Get Prepped email with next steps, a branding questionnaire to help me better understand your brand, business and website vision.
• The week starts off with branding on the first day, then we move on to designing your website pages!
• I send each page over for you to review so we can be sure your vision is captured
• We launch on the last day, and I will also send over social media launch graphics so you can proudly share your beautiful new website with the world!
• After our week is over, you’ll receive a website tutorial video so you can feel confident making any changes needed to your website in the future, along with 30 days of free tech support if anything pops up after we go live.

Website in a Week is THE best way to finally get your website and branding revamped and done without having to wait months for it to be done. This is your opportunity to completely uplevel your business so you can start bringing in more aligned clients and converting more sales through your website.

And don’t just take my word for it…here’s what my past clients have said after working together on launching their new websites:

“Alexa was wonderful to work with and I HIGHLY recommend her to any business owner (especially if you know in your bones you are different and don’t know how to articulate or show that to the world yet). She will bring magic to your website and you won’t be disappointed.”

Alexis Adams, Mental Health Coach

“I felt like I had the ability to voice my creativity and what I wanted but could also let you have creative freedom because I knew that you totally got me and the vibe I was looking for in a website. You are always so clear and concise, the whole process was so much easier than I thought it was going to be. I feel like I gained a friend out of this whole experience, too!”

Rachel Laukala, Cakepops by Rachel

Let’s wrap it up

I hope by now that you finally see the POWER of a strategic website and why it is so damn important for your business. It honestly should be PRIORITY ONE to get your website launched so you can start leverage the power of having that amazing resource for your business that will warm up your audience, showcase your brand, personality, mission and services and ultimately gain back more time and money in your business.

Share in the comments – have you launched your strategic website? How do you feel it’s helped you in your business?

And don’t forget to head over to alexaluckycreative.com if you’re done putting it off and ready to launch your website today. Oh, and follow me on socials while you’re at it – @alexaluckycreative on all the things!