If you handed one of your bookkeeping clients a detailed checklist outlining the tasks required to do your job, would they be able to do it as well as you can?
We both know how much of a mess clients can make of their bookkeeping when left to DIY and how costly it can be to invest in a professional like you to undo their mistakes later on.
As a bookkeeper, you’re constantly trying to demonstrate your value and explain to potential clients how working with you (an industry expert) will help them save time and money in the long run.
This same principle applies to launching your website.
Whether you outsource your website project or need support with a specific area, taking your own advice and working with a professional will save you time, money, and countless headaches.
Here are 3 ways you may be making launching your bookkeeping website harder than it really has to be:
1 – You don’t have a clear plan.
Launching a website is a lot like building a house. You need to start with a plan.
In addition to the technical tasks like setting up a domain name, web hosting, and a professional email address, you also need a strategic plan for your website’s marketing message.
In short, your marketing message is the reputation you want your business to have.
- What do you want to be known for?
- How do you want others to describe you?
- What problem do you solve?
- Who do you solve this problem for and why?
This is where having a niche comes in handy. It’s easier to be a big fish in a small pond than a little fish in a big pond.
Need help getting clear on your marketing message? This Bookkeeping Website Project Planner includes a questionnaire with all the questions your bookkeeping website needs to answer.
2 – You don’t have the right materials
Before you can build a house, you need to gather your materials.
To keep the house-building analogy going, let’s break down your materials into two parts: interior and exterior.
The exterior is the layout, design, or framework you plan to build. Think of this as an empty home waiting to be moved into.
The interior is the content. Think of this as your paint, furniture, and personal belongings – everything that makes your business unique.
- Logos
- Brand colors
- Business Information
- Website copy (the text for your website)
- High-quality images
Similar to how your work can get held up because of clients not providing the requested information on time, website projects are typically held up due to designers waiting for clients to send their website content.
Hiring a professional copywriter or having this information available ahead of time will help you complete your website project easily.
3 – You don’t have a support team
Launching a website, like building a home, has many moving parts.
To build a house, carpenters, plumbers, electricians, and other specialists come together to accomplish one goal. The same goes for your website.
Successful website projects are typically a collaborative effort between you and industry experts/specialists such as (but not limited to):
- Business coaches/Brand strategists – to help you clarify your business goals
- Graphic designers – to help you create the visual elements/identity for your brand. This includes logos, business card designs, social media graphics, etc.
- Copywriters – to help you connect with your ideal clients, encourage them to reach out, and repel prospects who aren’t a good fit.
- Website designer/developer – to help you connect the dots so you can establish credibility, generate leads, and attract clients while you sleep
- SEO specialists – to help your website get found in Google so you can stop trying to “find clients” and let them find you
- Social media managers – to help you position yourself as an authority and industry expert and drive traffic to your website
Your support team will vary based on your stage of business so don’t worry if you’re missing a few members – you can always DIY a few things to start and outsource later.
You can always DIY a few things if you have time and are on a limited budget. If on the other hand, you are short on time and prefer to outsource, this website package includes professional copywriting, web design, and monthly social media content posting.
If you have any questions or want help with anything mentioned in this article, post your questions in my private Facebook community. I’m always happy to help!
