web design
Web Design tips for women in business: Creating a website that converts
14th October, 2024
As a woman in business, your website is one of the most powerful tools you have for growing your business, and if you design it in the right way it gives you a big chance to make a great first impression.
But it’s not enough just to have a website; you need one that actually works for you—one that converts visitors into clients.
A lot of our clients come to us because they have been tirelessly trying to get their website right, trying to make it reflect the values and personality of the business, without success. Sometimes we need to dig deep into the goals and make big changes or redesigns, and other times small tweaks are just enough to make an impact.
So, if you are a service provider or a small business owner, we want to share with you some actionable web design tips that will help you create a website that attracts, engages, and converts your ideal audience.
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1. Define your brand identity
Before diving into web design, it’s essential to define your brand identity. Your brand is more than just your logo; it’s the story you tell, the values you uphold, and the connection you create with your audience. Especially as a woman in business, woman of colour or a migrant entrepreneur, your unique background and story are valuable assets that can help you stand out.
Brand identity tips:
Choose your colours and fonts carefully:
Colours and fonts should reflect your brand’s personality. For instance, warm colours like red or orange can create energy, while blues and greens offer a sense of calm and trust. Stick to 2-3 main colours and 2 font styles to keep your design clean and cohesive.
Use authentic imagery:
Select high quality images that showcase your work, your process, or even yourself in action, we know it can be scary for many, but this really builds authenticity and helps visitors connect with you. Now, if you choose to go for stock photos (which is not a crime) make sure you select images that really resonate with your business personality, your audience and your messaging.
Tell your story:
Don’t shy away from sharing your journey—not just as an entrepreneur, but also your life experiences. Opening up about your story helps you create a genuine connection with your audience and builds trust, especially for us as women. Some of the most impactful collaborations we’ve had with clients stemmed from those deep connections, where we truly understood each other’s journeys and felt a stronger motivation to support one another. When you share your story, you attract the right people who resonate with your experiences and are more likely to become loyal clients.
2. Focus on User Experience (UX)
A website that’s hard to navigate or slow to load can drive potential clients away. A smooth user experience (UX) is key to keeping visitors engaged and encouraging them to explore your offerings.
User experience tips:
Easy navigation:
Your website’s menu should be simple and easy to follow. Limit the number of menu items to keep things clean and organised. Make sure each page is clearly labelled so visitors know where they’re going. Same principle applies to your buttons!
Mobile responsiveness:
With so many people browsing on their phones, a mobile-friendly website is essential. Check that all elements adjust correctly when viewed on mobile devices, including text, images, and buttons. Nowadays all website platforms are able to check your layouts for different screen sizes and provide easy editing.
Fast loading speed:
A slow website can cause visitors to leave before they even see what you offer. Compress images, reduce file sizes, and use website caching tools to keep your site running smoothly. We know this is a more ‘technical tip’, but it’s really important to pay attention to it. There are many tools online to help you reduce speed, for instance, Tinypng.com is for us our favourite tool for optimising images.
3. Create engaging content
Creating valuable and regular content is not only good for SEO, good content is also key when it comes to converting visitors into clients. Well-written, engaging content builds trust, showcases your expertise, and helps your audience understand how you can help them.
Engaging content tips:
Blog posts and articles:
Just like we do here at CREATIVA, when you regularly publish blog posts it helps drive traffic to your website and establish you as an expert in your field. Write about topics that are relevant to your audience’s needs and challenges, and don’t be afraid to share your personal insights.
Testimonials and case studies:
Showcase success stories from your past clients, as they are powerful tools for building credibility and trust with your new visitors. Testimonials provide real-life examples of the results clients can expect from working with you, demonstrating your expertise and impact. Additionally, by including links to your clients’ websites or social media profiles, you not only add credibility but also gain exposure to their audience and expand your reach.
Visual content:
Use high-quality visuals, like photos, graphics, and videos, to break up text and keep visitors engaged. Videos, in particular, are an excellent way to explain your services and introduce your brand to new visitors. Showcasing your process through video can be especially effective in building a connection, as it offers a behind-the-scenes look and helps visitors better understand the value you provide.
4. Implement strong Calls-to-Action (CTAs)
CTAs are usually your buttons and links, the ones that guide your visitors through your website and help them know what to do next. The CTA is different depending on your website goals, these can be booking a consultation, signing up for a newsletter, or hiring a service or buying a product.
CTAs tips:
Use action-oriented language:
Don’t try to make it clever or interesting… use very clear, descriptive, action-oriented language like “Book Your Free Consultation” or “Get Started Today.” Make it easy for visitors to understand what they’ll get when they click the button. This also is a good accessibility practice to help those with disabilities.
Strategic placement:
It’s recommended to place your CTAs throughout your website—on your homepage, your top menu, service pages, at the end of blog posts, etc. But also make sure to avoid overwhelming visitors with too many CTAs; instead, focus on strategic, intentional placement.
Stand out visually:
Make sure your CTA buttons stand out by using contrasting colours that align with your brand’s palette. When creating colour palettes for our clients, we usually add what it’s called an Accent Colour, which does exactly that: it provides a contrasting colour to make it stand out and draw attention. Ensure they are large enough to be easily clickable, even on mobile devices.
5. Optimise for Search Engines (SEO)
SEO (Search Engine Optimization) might sound technical, but it’s simply about making sure your website shows up in search engine results when potential clients are looking for services like yours. With some basic SEO practices, you can drive more traffic to your website organically.
SEO tips:
Do keyword research:
Find out what keywords your target audience is searching for by using tools like Google Keyword Planner. Focus on long-tail keywords that are more specific (e.g., “women entrepreneur business coach” instead of just “business coach”).
On-Page SEO:
Incorporate your chosen keywords naturally into your website’s content, including headings and titles, link, meta tags, and image alt text. This helps search engines understand what your site is about and increases your chances of appearing in relevant searches. There are many other On-page SEO tips, make sure to look it up.
Content updates:
Keep your content fresh and relevant by updating your blog or website pages regularly. Search engines favour websites that are active and consistently providing new information.
6. Monitor website analytics and make adjustments
Your website should be a dynamic tool that evolves based on performance data. Monitoring how visitors interact with your website helps you understand what’s working and what needs improvement.
Website analytics tips:
Connect with Google Analytics:
Set up Google Analytics to track your website’s traffic, user behaviour, and conversion rates. This tool offers valuable insights into how visitors are finding you, which pages are popular, and where visitors are dropping off.
Set clear goals and track conversions:
Define specific goals for your website, such as increasing newsletter sign-ups, booking consultations, or driving product sales. Use analytics tools to set up conversion tracking for these actions, so you can see which pages or elements are driving the most results. This will help you identify what’s working well and what may need adjustment, allowing you to optimise your site more effectively to achieve your business goals.
Adjust based on insights:
Make sure you are checking your data regularly, this way you’ll get familiar with how the tool works and with the performance of your website. You’ll notice those particular pages or posts that are converting well or attracting more visits, this can give you ideas on how to improve other pages or what content is more effective. On the other hand if you see pages that are not converting well, you can revisit them to see if the content or design can be improved.
Conclusion
Creating a website that converts is about more than just a beautiful design; it’s about combining strategy, storytelling, and user experience to create a platform that works for you and your business.
As a woman in business, your website should reflect your unique story and strengths while being a tool that helps you achieve your goals.
If you’re ready to take your website to the next level, we’d love to help! At CREATIVA, we specialise in web design for women in business. Let’s build a website that not only looks great but also converts visitors into loyal clients. Contact us today for a free consultation or website audit!
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