Top Tips for Quick and Easy Website Prep Before Launch
Waiting to build your website doesn't mean waiting to get ready. Some of the most important website prep work happens before anyone opens a design tool. Here's what you can start doing today.
Get Clear on Your Message
Write out, in plain language, who you help and what you help them do. Not the polished version. The honest, plain version. Who is your person? What are they struggling with? What changes for them when they work with you? This is the core of your website copy, and the more clearly you can articulate it now, the smoother your website prep becomes.
Write a Working Version of Your Bio
Not for your website yet — just for yourself. Write a bio that talks to your ideal client rather than listing your background in chronological order. Start with who you serve or the problem you solve. Then talk about how you got here, what you believe, and why you do this work. You'll refine it before it goes live, but having a working draft now is valuable for your website prep.
Gather Your Testimonials
If you've worked with clients in any capacity, now is a good time to ask for a few words about the experience. A testimonial doesn't have to be long. Two or three sentences from a real person who experienced your work can do more for a prospective client than a paragraph of copy you wrote yourself. Start collecting them as part of your website prep.
Build a Reference Folder for Your Brand
Start a folder — on Pinterest, in a Google Drive, or even on your phone — where you save screenshots of websites and visuals you love. Pay attention to what draws you in. Is it the colors? The layout? The photography style? The tone of voice? This reference will be incredibly useful when you sit down with a designer and need to articulate the look and feel you're going for during your website prep.
Start Taking Photos
You don't need a full brand shoot right now. But if you can start being intentional about how you show up in photos, you'll have more to work with when the time comes. Get a friend to take a few photos of you in your workspace or somewhere that reflects your brand. Make sure the lighting is good. Aim for variety: some headshots, some lifestyle shots, some behind-the-scenes moments.If you are in the Philadelphia Tri-State area and you are looking for an affordable photographer, I recommend reaching out to Stacey at The Gray Lens Photography.
Keep a Running List of What You Want Your Website to Do
Every time you think "I wish my website could," write it down. Every time you visit someone else's site and something impresses you, write it down. This list becomes your starting point for a really productive conversation with your web designer during your website prep.
When you're ready to talk about what your website could look like, I'd love to connect. My free 10-minute website audit is a great first step. We'll take a look at where you are now and give you one clear, actionable thing to improve. No pressure, no pitch. Just a real look at your site from someone who has built over 150 of them.
Get Started with Your Website Prep Today!
Don't leave your online presence to chance. Effective website prep is essential for ensuring your site stands out and performs well. Take the first step towards a successful digital journey by reaching out to us today. Let me help you prepare your website for maximum impact and engagement.
