Building Your Website: Where to Start and How to Succeed

Ever since the world-altering pandemic in 2020, we’ve all seen how important it is for businesses to have a strong online presence. Companies quickly realized that their website is often the first point of contact for customers. Whether you're a small business, a local service provider, or a product-based company, a website is more than just a digital brochure—it's a living, breathing tool that can grow your business.

But where do you even start? Let’s break it down step by step.

Step 1: Define Your Business

First things first: What exactly does your business do? Are you offering services, selling products, or maybe both? Getting clear on your business model is the foundation for everything else, as it determines what type of website will fit your needs.

Step 2: What Do You Need From Your Website?

Now that you’ve defined your business, what’s your website's purpose or ultimate goal? Meaning, what do you want users to achieve when viewing your website? Here are a few possibilities:

• Generate Leads: Is your goal to turn visitors into potential clients?

• Sell Products: Do you want an e-commerce platform where customers can shop and make purchases?

• Post Events: Do you host workshops or events that you want to showcase?

• Portfolio: Is your website more of a digital showcase for your work and get to know your expereince?

Knowing the purpose of your website helps guide the design and functionality. It ensures that you get exactly what you need without the extra bells and whistles.

Step 3: Tell Your Story

Now for the part we love—your brand story! What message are you communicating to your audience? Your story goes beyond just “what you do”—it’s about why you do it, how you help people, and what makes your business unique.

When you're working on your website, there’s always the debate: Do you focus on content first or website design first? At Spotted Dog Marketing, we believe that your brand story comes first. Key messaging, like your core values, mission, target audience, and services, should shape the design and user experience. After all, your website is there to communicate your story, not just look pretty.

Step 4: Choosing the Right Platform

At Spotted Dog Marketing, we work with two of the most popular website platforms: WordPress and Squarespace. Both are fantastic, but they serve different purposes. WordPress is great if you need a fully customized, scalable site with lots of features. Squarespace is perfect for beautifully designed, user-friendly websites that don’t require as much ongoing maintenance. We'll help you choose the right one for your specific needs.

Step 5: Need Help? Let’s Chat!

We get it—building a website can feel overwhelming, especially with so many decisions to make. But you don’t have to do it alone! Whether you’re just getting started or looking to revamp your existing site, we’re here to help you every step of the way. At Spotted Dog Marketing, we love partnering with businesses like yours to create websites that not only look beautiful but also help you reach your business goals.

If you're ready to get started, or even if you have questions, feel free to reach out! Let’s talk about your business, your vision, and how we can create an online presence that works for you.