The easy way to get a professional looking website that works
Over the years I’ve been doing marketing consulting and business advisory I have seen countless examples of where small business owners have been confused and frustrated when trying to get their website set up and running.
Most website designers are interested in design (no surprise about that) and making your website look cool. Whilst that sounds OK, there are often huge gaps between what the designer does, and what you as the business owner need. That gap results in a website:
- That doesn’t work the way you need it to
- That doesn’t attract potential clients (doesn’t generate leads)
- That you can’t easily update on your own, or
- That looks clunky and is not professional enough to impress your potential clients
After years of doing my own website development work and advising clients on how to get the best result for themselves, and after privately helping a number of businesses to ‘fix’ or ‘re-do’ or ‘replace’ websites they had made by other designers, I have now opened this service to any expertise-based small business.
That’s right … this is only for expertise-based businesses
This is my definition. An expertise-based business is one that sells a service or a technical/complex product where the client is relying on the knowledge, experience and insights from the seller. That is, the expertise provided by the seller is an essential component of the clients buying experience.
This includes many small and micro-businesses offering business-to-business services and professional services, and those selling technical or industrial products, such as:
- Consultants in fields of engineering, management, science etc
- Coaches, advisors and trainers
- Health, fitness and well-being professionals
- High priced specialty industrial/technical products
- Professional services, accountants, lawyers
- Virtual assistants and online service providers
[ Don’t need all the info? Go straight to the website pricing calculator ]
Let me be clear: I am not a website designer or a graphic designer
I am a marketing professional with 20 years experience who has been through the trenches.
My expertise comes from:
- Hands-on working with my own websites, email newsletters, online services, website hosting, domain registration, technical support for over 10 years
- Using basic HTML code for 6 years
- Working with over a dozen WordPress website installations over the last 5 years, including every detailed aspect of this website you are looking at including page structure, theme modifications, sourcing and editing of all images, integration with email newsletter system, contact form, SEO factors, widget selection and implementation, and all written content
- Advising clients who are working with professional website designers, and liaising directly with those designers
- Creating, editing and uploading hundreds of images to be used on websites
- Countless hours of research and real-time experience dealing with technical problems and updates that has given me an understanding of what drives websites, likely technical glitches, and what you really need to do to make your website easy to use for you and your visitors
- Years of working as a Marketing Manager (before I started Marketing Nous) creating and implementing marketing campaigns, managing marketing staff, working with advertising agencies, printers and other marketing providers
Website Portfolio
 | Business Sales Guru businesssalesguru.com.au Information website based on a premium WordPress theme customised with colours, widgetised areas for extra functionality and hand-picked images. Approximately 16 pages. |
 | Cakes By Andrea cakesbyandrea.com.au Product display and ordering website using a standard WordPress theme. Localised for the geographic market with specific suburb pages and product category pages. Approximately 60 pages. |
 | Marketing Nous marketingnous.com.au A business lead generation website using a premium WordPress theme, hand-picked edited images, and extensive functionality for media downloads and sign up forms. Approximately 70 pages. |
 | Business Development Studio businessdevelopmentstudio.com An online membership website using an advanced membership plugin to manage all membership functionality. Featuring fully automated member payment and registration process. Includes video, audio and PDF resources. Approximately 150 pages. |
 | On Your Own Two Feet onyourowntwofeet.com.au Information site for financial planner required complete recreation of previous pages, addition of audio player functionality, video segments and automatic scheduling of future blog posts. Approximately 60 pages. |
You get marketing advice + new website
In addition to the development of the website itself (which can be quite technical) I expect Website Creation clients will get some bonus marketing advice from me as part of the package. Experience shows this will be necessary to help fine-tune the focus of your marketing messages and for the development of content that works for your audience.
That’s where your average web designer falls short. They can’t get their head around all the marketing implications and opportunities for you.
Based on my experience I have created a process that leads you through the often invisible steps to create a top-class website that you can be proud of, and that helps you achieve your goals.
Your Website Creation Project Plan
I always like clients to know exactly where they stand regarding the progress of any project we are working on. In the same way I want Website Creation clients to know the process they are committing to, what they will be receiving, and most importantly what they will be expected to do.
Your Website Creation Project Plan – shown below – is the road map for your website project.
Download a PDF copy of the 13-stage plan
| Stage | What happens? | Client activity (things you need to do) |
|---|---|---|
1 | Discussion with the client to confirm the purpose of the website. Some marketing advice is given if the client requires it. | Confirm the main purpose of the site. List what you want to get from it, such as: • Provide information • Generate leads • Build a subscriber list • Sell something e.g. courses or products |
2 | Client to decide the general style of website theme to be used. | Look over the range of WordPress themes (list provided for you) to get idea of the options available and indicate which one/s you prefer. You don’t need to confirm the final choice of theme now. |
3 | Client to provide the main chunks of information (text) for the home page and other main pages. | Write out the main parts of the text you want on: Home, About, Contact, Services pages. |
4 | Create the web page hierarchy to show which pages will be used. | Review the web page hierarchy chart provided. Write more detailed content for each page following directions given. |
5 | Client to collect (or create or buy) the images to be used on the website. | Search for and secure appropriate images from reputable sources. You will be given a list of options to find paid images (royalty free: pay once, use again) and free images (authorised by creator to be used). |
6 | Client to provide all text-based content and downloads. | Provide all written content to Marketing Nous. You will have a chance in Stage 9 to supply your final selection of images. |
7 | Client to confirm choice of theme based on final requirements. | The website theme will be finalised based on what is required to present the content and images you have chosen. Guidance will be provided for you. |
8 | Production of website begins including the nominated pages, widgets, editing images if required, SEO for each page and Google analytics installed. | Nothing. Sit back and relax. Marketing Nous will get the wheels turning and contact you if needed (and maybe give you a bit more marketing advice). |
9 | Client to provide final images not already provided. | Send all final images to Marketing Nous. Options to do this will be discussed based on the number and type of images you are using. |
10 | Website production is underway. | Once the website is about 70% complete you will be asked for your feedback to ensure everything is on track. |
11 | The rest of the website is created. | Relax. |
12 | Website is completed. | Check the website to ensure all is working as expected. Give written approval for the completed website. |
13 | Website goes live. | You will be given login details and instructions on logging in to your website and Google analytics account so you can have full control and edit or add new pages. |
Do you want help to get your website done?
First, I suggest you visit the website pricing page. Enter a few numbers there to get an estimate of how much your website will cost. Remember, with Your Website Creation Project Plan you get personal help, practical marketing advice and a new website made to suit your specific business.
Then if all that looks good contact me to have a more detailed no-obligation, no-hassle discussion about what you are looking for.
Still thinking about it?
Stop thinking and start doing. There’s no harm in asking.