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The frustration of going online and finding other business websites that are doing all the things is overwhelming.
There’s a homepage, about page, service or product pages, and the contact page. Not to mention they’ve got a blog page with a ton of posts, sales pages detailing their offerings step by step. There are testimonials, reviews, what it’s like to work with us, and don’t forget the bunch of free resources.
And then there’s the lead magnet right down there at the bottom of the page. A subtle reminder that this business is on top of their email list too.
So when it seems like the leaders in your industry are doing all the things, how do you know where to start?
First thing’s first … breathe! Because trust us, there’s an easier, quicker way to publish your website and show your offerings to the world.
You don’t need a million pages to run a successful online business. And if you’re DIYing your website, the best part about many website platforms is that they allow you to add on more pages as they become ready to launch.
We hear that sigh of relief!
Below, we’re going to give you the lowdown on the four must-have pages you need on your website to launch your product or service.
And trust us, it’s not as hard as you might think. You can do it in as little as a week.
All you need is clarity, consistency, and probably a bit of time blocking in your schedule.
So, if you’re ready to get your business out there, all you have to do is start writing.
Here’s our top tips for a beginner website
01. Know that your website is going to be temporary
Because as you, your business and your website grow, there’ll undoubtedly be things you want to change. And that’s okay.
You might want to upgrade to a fancy new template, or perhaps even hire a professional website copywriter to really nail your messaging.
02. It’s okay to start small
Because unless you’ve got a team of professional marketers, designers, and writers in your corner, there’s simply no way to do everything at once; so start small.
Maybe that means that you only launch or product or service, or perhaps it means you hold off putting up a blog page to give yourself some breathing space and time to focus on other, more important things.
Whatever it is, the only difference between an unfinished website and an unpublished one is that an unpublished website is never going to bring in new leads or convert your dream clients.
And to be honest, a website is never finished, it’s always a work in progress that’s constantly reviewed and updated, so don’t sweat the small stuff.
03. Use tried and tested copywriting formulas
Okay, so you might think we’re being biased here, but honestly, it’s just a blend of science and psychology.
In a nutshell, website copywriting is all about words that help your dream clients see the value in the product or service you provide and how you can help them solve their problems.
So it’s definitely possible to DIY your website words. And the key tip here is that the more time you put into strategically crafting your messaging initially, the less work you’ll have to do on the backend of your site.
With that in mind, let’s get down to business.
Here are the 4 must-have website pages you need
01. The homepage
So depending on the type of business you have, your homepage could be a little different.
For instance, if you’re a service-based business, your homepage should clearly state what it is that you do, introduce yourself (put a face to the brand), provide social proof/reviews/testimonials from previous clients if you have them, and lead your dream clients on to the next step of their journey.
On the other hand, if your business is primarily an online store, your homepage will predominantly be set up to allow your website visitors to scroll through your products.
Top tip for writing a great homepage: keep it short and sweet.
You don’t have to say everything on this one page. Use attention-grabbing headlines that clearly state your intention and then allow your reader to move on. You want your visitors to check out the other pages on your site too, so don’t overload them with too much information on your homepage.
02. The about page
This is where you’re going to give your dream clients an idea of what it’s like to work with you.
Have you heard the saying before, “your about page isn’t about you”? Well, that’s half true.
You see, the best about pages do two things. They make your reader feel heard and understood, and leave them with an I-need-you-in-my-life feeling.
How do you achieve that?
When you’re crafting your messaging, always write with your dream client, their problems and their needs at the front of your mind.
Top tip for writing a great about page: start by talking about what you can do for your dream clients and how you can make their lives better before you start talking about yourself.
Your about page is all about building trust and credibility with your readers, and so that starts with helping your client see that you see them, understand them, and know all about the problem they’re dealing with.
Then, back it up with your story, your credentials, and reviews/social proof/testimonials.
03 The service or sales page
This is your chance to zero in on the benefits of your offer. Clearly state what it is that you’re offering your dream clients. Talk through the benefits, spell out the deliverables step by step, and include prices if you can (or having a “starting at” price is also beneficial).
Top tip for writing a great service or sales page: show the transformation to your dream clients. Your goal here is to attract and engage the people that will truly benefit from the products or services you offer.
And in order to do that, you need to be honest and upfront about the benefits you bring to the table, unique to your business. What makes your business stand out in the crowded online world?
But remember, the goal is to offer something your dream clients need!
04 Contact page
Short, sweet, and simple works best for a contact page. You can either include the ways you can be reached (phone or email), or if your web host supports it, you could include an integrated contact form.
Top tip for writing a contact page: be sure to include any necessary information potential clients might need. How long will it take to hear back from you? What hours are you available?
And last but certainly not least, write a friendly little invitation for interested potential clients to reach out to you. Because it’s the little things that can make the big differences!
So, there you have it! The four must-have pages you need on your website are a homepage, an about page, a services/sales page, and a contact page.
Oh, and one last tip! Keep them in that order in your website’s header menu. Your most important call-to-action button (contact us) should always live in the top right-hand corner of your website. Why? It’s all about science and psychology again.
And just before you go … don’t be a stranger.
We’d love to know what you found the most beneficial, and what other topics you’d like us to cover in the future.
And of course, if you’re stuck trying to DIY your website words, content creation, or brand strategy, we’d love to hear from you.
