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If you are starting a new business, especially a passive income business like the one we have, one of the first things you will need to do is create a website. This can feel overwhelming at first, but it is totally doable with a little guidance!
This blog post will cover the basics of creating a website for your business so you can be on your way to making passive income!
Why you need a website
Your website is your home base. This is where people will find you, learn about you, learn about your niche and expertise, and buy from you.
A website helps your business look professional and legit!
When to get a website
You need to have a clear, specific niche and know who your ideal customer is before you create a website for your business.
You should also be ready to put out valuable content like blog posts or videos before your launch your website.
Website platforms I recommend
I recommend using one of the following website platforms for your website:
There are pros and cons to each platform, so you should spend some time deciding which one is best for you depending on where you are in your business.
Below are some features of each of the platforms I recommend, along with some of the pros and cons of each.
Kajabi
Features:
- all-in-one
- course hosting
- accept payments
- website/blog
- great customer service
- monthly cost
Pros:
- easy to set up
- mostly customizable
- all-in-one-platform
- web hosting included
Cons:
- more expensive than WordPress.org or SquareSpace
- less SEO options
WordPress.org
Features:
- completely customizable
- great for SEO
- great for blogging
- e-commerce friendly
- free to use, but you will have to purchase hosting, a theme, and additional plug-ins
Pros:
- free or low costs
- great for SEO
- complete customization
- you can sell smaller products (digital downloads, physical products)
Cons:
- very difficult to DIY
- easy to mess up
- web hosting not included
SquareSpace
Features:
- drag & drop website creation
- templates included
- e-commerce options for digital and physical products
- monthly cost
Pros:
- easy to set up and use
- perfect for DIY
- web hosting included
- lower monthly price than Kajabi
Cons:
- less SEO options
- less customization
Domains
A domain is the the URL to your website (e.g., LindsayBowden.com). This is something you have to purchase.
You want your domain to match your business name. If your business name doesn’t match your domain, your customers may get confused and they may not know where to find you.
Depending on which website platform you are using, there are a few options for where you can purchase your domain.
- Kajabi: purchase your domain through GoDaddy.com
- WordPress.org: purchase your domain through Bluehost.com
- SquareSpace: purchase your domain through SquareSpace
Web hosting
Web hosting is where your website is stored. If you are using Kajabi or SquareSpace, web hosting is included, so you won’t need to do anything extra for these platforms.
If you are using WordPress.org, web hosting is not included so you will need to find a hosting site to use. A couple of options are BlueHost.com and SiteGround.com.
Pages to include
Once you have purchased your domain and have web hosting set up, it is time to start creating your website! There are a few pages you want to make sure to include on your website.
Website pages you need:
- Home: this is where people will land when they type in your URL
- About me: this should include a picture of you and the parts of your story that relate to your niche
- Programs: this will include ways to work with you or ways to buy from you
- Contact: this page should include a way for people to get in touch with you
- Blog (optional): this will have a list of all your blog posts if you choose to include a blog on your website
Creating a website for your new business may feel a little overwhelming, but you can do this!
Take your time and do it right the first time around to save yourself from the headache of having to fix it later!
