You're not a designer, but you want to create a website. What tools can help you?

I would highly recommend visualizing the look and feel through a whiteboard like the ones available on Canva. Through Canva, I've put together inspiration pieces and a layout map with design elements that I wanted to incorporate. I've used Wordpress with Elementor before since it is a visually-based design space versus code-based. I've also used third-party developers and shared my Canva vision with them for final design.

Anyone who wants to build a website is a designer by definition. If it's not your full time gig you will struggle. Prosumer platforms like WordPress and page builders like Elementor are billed as ''No Code" solutions but there is still a learning curve. Like it or not, there is also a technical skill and aesthetics crossover with building and deploying a website. DIY website owners represent a broad market and this is why the 'No Code Requirement' website builders are marketed so heavily. Success in website development is like preparing a fine meal – there's no free lunch. The best results come from quality ingredients, careful planning, and skilled execution.

First of all, ask yourself, if you really need the website as the content creator. There are amazing tools like: - naffy.io - substack - skool Before you choose the platform, decide: - how do I want to monetize my knowledge? - how I want to connect with my audience? - do I like to write or create videos? These are the questions you need to answer before choosing the platform. I always suggest creators to diversify their offering: - 1:1 consultations - digital products - webinars & courses - newsletter (free/paid) - community Choose the website only, if you are ready to invest in SEO. Which is a longterm game (quite expensive to start with).

Squarespace provides a wide range of templates that cater to the needs of service providers and creatives. If you're just starting, I recommend checking out their template library to build your own website or landing page. In case you need to build a portfolio, you can choose a template that suits your needs and personalize it. Additionally, they offer ready-made brand kits, or you can add your own colors and fonts to match your brand.

Templates are the bread and butter of this. With an effective template, you can have a super professional website with little design skills in no time. Look at what competitor websites are doing, find a design style you like, and then try to find a template that matches the style you're going for. If using Wordpress, try to find a template with an easy to use page builder - like ELementor or Divi, so you can easily change things without getting too involved.

find your niche. If you start, you should be very specific, focused on one big problem that you can solve your audience. Then use as many case studies as possible. To make sure, you fully understand "the problem", jump on the video call with your potential clients. Listen to what exactly they try to achieve. Find out how do they solve this issue now. Your ultimate goal is to offer better solution. To be more effective alternative to current solution. It's the same as startups. naffy for example is alternative to complicated ecommerce websites. Content creators sell to the followers on social media platforms. There is no need for the website. Just use ready and optimized tools.

remember that SEO is a longterm game. You need to plan your content and use very strategic approach. If you are a content creator, focus on longtail keywords that have smaller traffic but lower difficulty. You need to be very strategic and make sure you use internal linking so user can go with the flow on your site and never leave. I also suggest Semrush. It's a great tool to analyze the competitors and plan your strategy. It's worth to consider adding the lead magnet 🧲 to your pages. By giving something useful (mini ebook) you can collect the emails and try to build the relationship with these potential clients.

you can add your link in the comments. If you see the post with the question related to your blog post, answer briefly in the comment, and add your link as the reference. That way people can go to your site. Make sure you don't spam random posts. Make sure the content in your article answers the question from the post. I would also add it in BIO and make sure I promote it with my posts. It's also good to collaborate with different creators. You can have interview with someone and ask this person to share link to the interview on their social media profiles. It's worth trying to promote your blog in the podcasts too.

Don't be afraid to narrow your niche. Remember that sometimes you compete with large organizations that have marketing departments and big budgets. Stay focused on your niche and slowly expand. Listen and learn what your audience need. That solve their problem to be their go to person, if they need your help. It takes time for your potential clients to make a decision. Also, they can be at the different stage with making decision so don't be pushy. Don't "sell directly". Just give quality content and the clients will come.

Create a (digital) business card as a companion and promotional tool for your website. My digital business card was designed in Adobe Illustrator, but there is no reason why you can’t use Canva if design isn’t your area of expertise. I designed my card in a way that promotes continuity of my brand with consistent font, color and design element choices. I also utilized QR codes for my card. These provide direct links to my important sites and pages, and as a bonus they look pretty cool and eye-popping! You can Google “free QR generators” and find a website that lets you customize the final shape and colors of the QR code appearance to match your brand identity. Don’t forget to save your business card as a PDF to share via smartphone!