What does a quality coaching website need?

1. Foundation – You really can’t go on the web without it

• Domain

This is your address on the internet, e.g. like mine is www.gorgeous-geek.com.

• Hosting

This is a necessary service that makes it possible for others to see your website on the Internet. If you build your website with Wix, Squarespace or WordPress.com, hosting is included in the subscription you have with them. If you use WordPress.org, hosting needs to be contracted separately.

• Website Creation Tool/Content Management System (CMS)

A system that helps you manage the content and design of your website, like e.g. WordPress, Wix or Squarespace. I recommend WordPress (.org), as it can be fully customized, grow with your business no matter your future needs, and it fully belongs to you (build your “house” in your own garden, as opposed to in someone else’s garden).

• Theme

A template with a simple preset design and layout of the website.

2. Makeup – Makes it look pretty in your own style and brand

• Customization and personal styling of the design template (theme)

Each theme has areas that can be customized without knowing any code, but it differs from theme to theme, as it depends on what the theme creator decided when designing it. Examples of usual areas that are possible to customize are colors, page layout, site title, tagline etc.

• Menu/navigation bar

This is the section where visitors can link to other main pages on your website, like Home, About, Work With Me, Blog, Contact etc., usually displayed in the horizontal bar on the top of every page.

• Logo

A graphic design, in the form of text and image/symbol, or only styled text, that  identifies your business.

• Visuals

Visual representations such as pictures, photos, infographics, videos etc.

3. Flirting Tools – Standing in a corner looking pretty won’t get you attention (only in movies…)

• Client attracting content

This includes being clear on what you do, who you do it for, and content that makes your ideal clients feel connected to you the moment they enter your page: Client Attracting Content makes your ideal clients feel that you understand them, their problem, and that. you have the expert solution they need.

• Call to Actions

Call to Actions are highly visible messages telling your visitor what to do next, encouraging them to take action to stay on your website and stay in touch with you.

• Newsletter signup boxes (opt-in)

This is a section on your website where visitors can sign up to receive updates from you, like your blog, first-hand useful information for them, special promotions etc. Newsletter signup boxes are great for staying in touch with potential clients.

• Free opt-in gift/freebie/lead magnet

It has a lot of names, but in short: It’s some kind of tempting info product you create that you exchange with your visitors in return for their email address, to be able to add them to your mailing list.

• Blog

This is the section of your website where you write regular posts about topics that are of high interest to your visitors and subscribers. Do you need a blog? It’s a good thing to have! The blog serves to prove that you are an expert in your area, helps convey credibility and is great for SEO.

• Social Media Buttons

Link to your social media accounts, so that they can follow and interact with you, and share buttons, so that they can share your content with others.

Have a look at my Website Planner to learn more about all of the above:

4. Bodyguard – Stay safe and avoid stalkers, hackers and other suspicious creatures

• Safety plugins

These are pieces of software that make your website secure, reduce spam and keep a backup of your files so that you can restore it in case something ever goes wrong.

5. Surveillance – Make sure you know who’s been checking you out

• Installation of Google Analytics

This is a service that helps you keep an eye on who and how many people are checking out your site and where they come from.