Your website acts as a shop window for your Virtual Assistant business so it needs to appeal to visitors and convert them into paying clients… which is much easier said than done! There are 1000 different things you need to consider when creating a site (and this is before you write a single word of content), so read on to find out what they are.
Because there is such a whopping amount of ground to cover with this subject, I decided to put all of my articles on websites into a free website set-up course.
Highlights of the course include:
Whether you should build your own site – you may or may not want to build your own site but if you choose not to, I explain how to hire and work with a web developer.
Where to build your site – are you going to build your website on WordPress or opt for an all-in-one platform such as Wix or Squarespace? To prevent your head from exploding, I present all the different options along with the pros and cons of each one.
Hosting, domain names and SSL certificates – I tell you in detail what these are, why you need them and where to get them.
Pages and features that you should (and shouldn’t) include – I discuss calls to action (CTAs), blogs and social media, and I provide you with a number of questions to keep in mind as you work through the layout and design process.
Your legal responsibilities – there are a number of legal responsibilities required of website owners. For example, did you know that in addition to complying with GDPR, your website also needs to pass accessibility tests and that a contact form alone won’t do?
How to write content – writing website content can be daunting because your site is an online representation of you, your business, your value and your brand. But don’t worry, I help you figure out what to write on each page and how to write it.
SEO, analytics and other useful Google products – even a little basic SEO knowledge will take you far, and knowing how to analyse your traffic statistics will allow you to evaluate your marketing methods and understand how visitors use your site. I also outline how to use Google Search Console and Google my Business.
How to get visitors to your website – once you’ve built, designed and written your lovely shiny new Virtual Assistant website, it’s time to get visitors. After all, no one can hire you if they don’t know you exist!
And more – in addition to the above, I try to provide you with an understanding of the psychology of branding, design and content and help you focus on the core function of a website. God, and loads more to boot – there are ELEVEN lessons, remember!
I did say it was a big subject!
Sign up for my free mini website set-up course here.
And don’t forget your website Policies!In order to comply with GDPR, all websites legally need a cookie policy, a privacy policy and, although not a legal obligation, it’s a good idea to add your terms to your site as well. Luckily, I have a bundle containing all three! |
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I was looking for exact steps on how to build my VA website. And boom, this article came in the first page of Google. Absolutely great and valuable content that I will definitely implement very soon.
Thanks a lot for this!
I think this is fantastic info. Especially for someone like myself, who is just finishing up a diploma in administration and exploring the idea of becoming a VA.
Keep it up! For someone (transitioning from military to civilian workforce) in the learning/exploratory phase like myself, the info you provide is a great way to obtain extra knowledge and information.
Your article makes a number of important points. Glad you mentioned to be sure that your website is “responsive” -meaning it shows well on mobile phones. The majority of your new customers are likely to be using their mobile phone to search for VA assistance.
Also you are right that Google loves WordPress. WP is set up for the google software to easily read and index in its search results. This means that you will be more likely to show up higher on Google.
Thank you so much for your comments Marsha. SEO is vital for any business and WP is definitely the best for that.
Great article but I’ll have to disagree about a developer taking down a website. The only time this happens is if they own the site and its leased to you on a monthly basis. However, if they don’t own the site they shouldn’t be taking down a site.
I’m a programmer and a private SEO consultant, and I must say that it’s always best to screen out who you work with to avoid situations like this in the future.
Thanks for your message Jose, I didn’t know that about the websites – maybe a threat is good enough to get a late payment though! I definitely agree that it’s best to try and avoid the situation in the first place.