Website functionality Struggles
*Insert website panic here*
What’s the prob, friend?
It’s tough to know exactly what you’ll need when you get set up with your first website (especially if it’s at the start of a new business!) Ask yourself what your website should help you do:
Automatically schedule an appointment?
Submit a questionnaire so you can pre-screen that inquiry?
Link to a CRM workflow so you can automate all your emails??
There are so many options to create a functional website that it can get overwhelming. It isn’t just the website builder you pick, it’s the tools you use and embed/link!
I’ll give you a hint: there are favorites for a reason!
Look at your competition - do they all use Acuity for Scheduling? Or maybe they use Calendly instead?
Are they using Dubsado for their forms? Maybe Honeybook for invoicing?
Start to notice what is used on other business’ websites and what tools are talked about in the FB groups you’re in.
Create a solid list started (2-3 in each category)
Start looking into what they can and can’t do for you. (And the price, of course!)
Make your choice
When you know what your business needs, you can make a pretty quick decision! Either the technology supports that need or it doesn’t. Cross off the ones that don’t have what you need and the list gets pretty short, pretty quickly!
Add them to your website
Once you have your tools figured out, then link them up to your site. Don’t panic about this part! Chances are the tool you selected has an easy to follow guide. If not, don’t try to re-invent the wheel. Google the name of your website builder and the tool “Dubsado set up for Squarespace”. Chances are someone else has been there, done that. If that fails… Chat your website builder support and they should be able to send you in the right direction.
Be a Jill of all tools
Everyone says that you should be a “jack of all trades” as an entrepreneur. But, I respectfully disagree. I think you should be a Jill of all tools. DO NOT go out and purchase every tool, that’s not what I mean!
I mean you don’t have to actually master a skill to use it in your business. You need to be aware of your resources and lean on them when you need support. You don’t have to write embed code by heart to embed your scheduler. You may need a little googling and maybe a support chat and the result will be the same! No one will know that you asked for help to get it done!
See, easy enough!