08: If You Are Starting a Business, Invest in Building Your Digital Street Cred ASAP.

I am sure you are well aware that if you are running a business in this day and age, you NEED a website. You get extra points if you get a business email account with that same URL.

I hear so many first-time founders continually say that they are “working on their website” and it seems to take a REALLY long time because, well frankly, it is a daunting task, especially for the not-so-tech-savvy.

If this sounds like you, I’m going to let you in on a little secret to help you get the party started. 

Assuming you have a logo and brand DNA all locked and stocked (see my previous articles in this newsletter series for useful information on how to build your brand DNA), and assuming you have a business model, all you need is a simple, one-page website, or you can call it a landing page, that introduces your products or services. 

Consider it your virtual storefront window that gives passersby the high-level information they need to know you exist. You can even go so far as to say “Coming Soon!”, but only if it truly is launching live soon. If not, do not make false claims. Nothing said is better than an untruth said.

There are just a few bare essentials you need to create a professional landing page.

Here are some suggestions for the content, agnostic to all types of businesses:

1. Your logo and tagline (a consumer-facing version of your brand positioning statement).
2. A short headline or 2-3 sentence statement that sums up your brand in a nutshell. I.e., on our website uniquelyphenom.com, we have a short intro that says: “Uniquely Phenom Collaboration (UPC) is a testament to what happens when we value collaboration over competition, when we combine our strengths and celebrate our differences, and when we come together and do business from our hearts and our souls. Welcome to Uniquely Phenom Collaboration where the possibilities are endless.”
3. A high-level view of what you are offering. If you are offering services at different price points, you can have the packages listed and include prices and BUY NOW links, only if you are ready to venture this far. This can always be added later once your initial page content is live.
4. An email capture using a simple form that asks for Name and Email and perhaps captures a message from the sender as well. If you do not have an incentive for people to provide their email, simply ask if they want to stay informed of updates and offers.
5. Contact information should include your phone number and a general email address. If you have a physical location, include the physical address and perhaps even a Google map plus hours of operation.

One of my go-to website builder apps is Squarespace.com (not an affiliate sponsor of my content. I have been using Squarespace since its inception.) Besides hosting your website for an affordable price, you can secure your URL, create a Google Workspace account with that URL, add a store, and even create some automated marketing emails, all within the platform. The analytics are awesome too—just enough information for the normies out there. And the templates you can use for free are simply awesome with a ton of built-in flexibility to make your site look anything but cookie-cutter, all of which can be edited in both desktop and mobile views for maximum design and functional user experience.

If you already purchased a URL (domain name) from say GoDaddy.com, Squarespace will help you connect the domain. The tutorials available are amazingly helpful.

Start by picking a template that feels like you.

Think about your brand DNA: the attribute words you came up with, your brand positioning statement, and your core values. Have that all swirling around in your mind as you browse the templates.

Once you choose one, edit the template first by changing the fonts and colors to be on-brand for you. Don’t worry if you don’t love what you are seeing at first glance. Websites are fluid, and they evolve as you get comfortable with the design editor AND your brand/business. You just simply have to start somewhere. If you can’t figure it out, start simple with a lot of white space and a clean font. To be ADA compliant, you have to have really good contrast between your words and the background anyway. Simple always wins in my book!

Once you put together a high-level landing page, make it live ASAP, even if some of your desired functionality and content isn’t built yet (such as an appointment setter.) The point is to get out there as soon as possible so when you run into that potential revenue opportunity, you look polished and ready. 

A website is as integral to your business as your phone number is.

To be truly a professional, make sure your email address doesn’t end in @gmail.com or (God forbid) @aol.com! 

It may seem like a little thing, but the best approach to looking and sounding like a pro is to make sure your brand is consistent across ALL mediums, and the easiest and most affordable place to start is your digital footprint. 

Throughout my career, I have built massive websites for Fortune 500 companies as well as starter websites such as the one I described above for new small businesses. If you have any questions about how to get started, please comment, and I will see what insight I can offer you. 

This way when a good-looking prospect asks for your URL, you can proudly oblige. 

Hi, I'm Angela DiMarco. I specialize in guiding businesses to express their unique brand with authenticity and creativity. With over 30 years of experience in branding, marketing, and advertising, I possess an intuitive knack for uncovering the soul of a company. From shaping your visual brand to connecting with your audience, my goal is to empower you and your organization with a sturdy foundation. Learn more at UniquelyPhenom.com or DM me to set up a call. 

Dana Sardano and I are your super professional and buttoned up 😹co-hosts of Going Commando with Angela & Dana Podcast. Check us out for a good dose of authenticity and wisdom, and the occasional epic burp.

I am also the author of Uniquely U. Update #52: The Birth of a Bright-Eyed Entrepreneur, available at Phenom-Publishing.com or an Amazon near you 😉. In my debut book, I share the tumultuous journey of starting a business.

“Angela reveals herself without inhibition…We can feel her angst and the insecurity of her inner child holding on for dear life as her warrior spirit takes over with fierce determination…a true window into the evolution of Angela’s soul and each update gives us a greater glimpse into her star power and creative genius.” ~ Dana Sardano

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