What is the purpose of having a website?

In today’s Musings on Marketing and Magic I’m taking a look at the different purposes a website can serve and whether to build something yourself or work with a professional. Many coaches and solopreneurs think about their need of a website, but as with anything, the clearer you are about what your goal is, the easier it is to take the first step towards it.

With a website, the most important thing is to determine what your main purpose with it is. Based on that purpose you can then decide whether you can build something simple yourself or whether you are better served hiring a professional to help you.

What are the different purposes of a website?

The simplest form of a website operates as an online brochure for you. It allows your visitors to get a sense of who you are, what services you offer and how to get in touch with you. Taking it a step further, you can build in a way for visitors to submit their contact information, which will then allow you to stay connected with them and nurture them along to the point where they are ready to purchase from you.

Offering purchase options on your website is the next level of purpose for your website. This can be a simple purchase link, e.g. via PayPal or Square, or it can involve a full storefront, depending on what it is that you have to offer.

Your website is a virtual space where visitors get a visual experience of you

A website can also function as a magazine of content that you offer to your audience, in which case it functions as a repository for your blog, podcast, or video content.

Your website is a virtual space where visitors get a visual experience of you and your business – your branding. Depending on the complexity of what your needs are, thanks to many available tools out there these days you can easily create a brochure-style website yourself – even if you are not technical at all – and for more complex website designs it can be a great time-saver to look for help and hire a professional.

Are you clear what kind of website serves you and your business best at this time?

Until next time – be magical!