When you first set up your Virtual Assistant business it can feel like you have a million decisions to make – and one of these will be where to set up and build your shiny new website so you can get found online. Because there are so many options to choose from, I’ve outlined the pros and cons of each one to prevent your brain from exploding.
Members of my VA Handbookers Facebook group often ask whether it’s worth writing a blog. On one hand, they hear that it’s good for search engine optimisation (SEO), but they also don’t want to write one if they don’t really need it – plus they’re not really too sure what to write about even if they do decide to start one.
When you set up a website you need to buy the domain name and then find a place to have the website hosted. You can buy the name from anywhere (I use GoDaddy) and then you’ll need a place to keep the site. Think of your domain name as the name of your shop and hosting as your landlord – they’re the person who makes sure your shop stays open!
I had a pretty rubbish website when I started out, but I needed to get traffic so people could see how amazing I was and hire me. Clueless about SEO, my old developer had created the site in Dreamweaver which I think went out with the dinosaurs. I also had no niche, didn’t know what I was doing and nobody knew where to find me. So how did I get traffic to my site?
Your website is pretty important. It acts as a ‘shop window’ for your business and if it’s really shonky then potential clients will think you’re really shonky too. I’ve seen some truly shocking VA websites, so read my post, find out if yours might be one of them, then calmly but quickly log in to your site and tart it up immediately!
I don’t make websites for a living so I’m not going to go into detail about every single tiny thing you need to have a decent site, I’m just going to provide an overview of the different things you need to think about when you’re setting it up. Having a website will help your business in the long run, so it’s important to have one that appeals to prospects.
An ongoing debate amongst freelancers is whether or not you should display your rates on your website. Although not everyone agrees and I have my own fixed opinion on the matter, I want to outline the pros and cons of both arguments as well as address common concerns so you can make an informed decision for yourself.
