If you have difficulties talking about your business, making connections, or putting your content out into the world, consider letting your website do the talking for you.
Every business should have a website, but there’s a difference between a website that serves as a calling card and one that does the work for you.
When you bring in the features listed below, you give your website the functionality that it needs to do just that -- talk to people for you, gather information from them, help you make a connection, and build trust.
The truth is: Every business needs these features. But introverts will especially benefit from having them!
What makes these features special for introverts?
On one hand, it can help you with the kinds of things that introverts often struggle with. Perhaps like many introverts, you have trouble marketing your business. I’ve spoken at length with introverts who have this problem and most say that they are uncomfortable putting themselves out there and really hate being in the spotlight. Some hesitate to talk about their businesses and themselves; they worry that they might be too pushy or say it wrong, and it makes them feel vulnerable. And one of the most common things I hear from introverts is how engaging with people can drain their energy. How are you supposed to keep putting yourself and your business out there when it leaves you so depleted?
On the other hand, making sure these features are on your website will enable you to draw on your strengths. For instance, many introverts are more comfortable writing than speaking, and they tend to be really creative. Also, if you find that you run out of energy easily when you interact with people, being able to direct them to your website is a great strategy for preserving your energy for when you need it!
So, which features should you make sure to include on your website so that you can serve your audience and show up consistently in a way that draws on your strengths without draining your energy? Let’s get into it...
Quick note:
I suspect that for many, this is an obvious list. If so, then I invite you to look through it as a validation that you're working on the right things.
If they're not so obvious or you're feeling overwhelmed because you're new to the website creation process, then perhaps this list can serve as a guide for where you especially need to focus. When we're drowning in overwhelm, knowing what to focus on can serve as a life preserver, helping us spend energy only on what truly needs it.
And with that, let's get into it...
1. PICTURES OF YOU
Did you just say “ugh”?
If so, this is for you.
Especially if you don’t like to put yourself - your face! - out there, that’s all the more reason that you really need to put your picture on your website.
When it comes to small businesses, people don’t see themselves as doing business with your company; they see themselves as doing business with YOU. This is an important connection that pictures of you on your website can help to foster.
This is also another opportunity to encourage them to know, like, and trust you.
Our brains are hardwired to notice and respond to faces. (Read more about that here.) We inherently look for them because that is where we gather the most information.
So, show them your face!
This is the perfect place to use a professional headshot. (Make sure it’s less than 5 years old!)
YOU are the expert that your prospects want to work with, so letting them see your face will help them feel connected to you and feel more comfortable working with you.
Where on your website should you put your photos? You can really put them anywhere you want, but the three places you absolutely should are:
- About Page
- Home Page
- Services Page
These are three of the most important pages on your website, placing you and your picture in a great position to make a connection with your website visitors.
2. LEGAL DOCS
There are three legal documents that you absolutely need on your website: a Privacy Policy, a Website Terms of Use, and a Disclaimer
The Privacy Policy is key. You’re legally required to tell your website visitors what you’re doing with the data you are collecting from them. If you have anyone from the UK visiting your website, then the GDPR also applies.
The Terms of Use and the Disclaimer further protect you by limiting your liability if someone tries to take you to court.
I get that if you’re not a lawyer, the idea of legal documents for your website can be intimidating. Where do you get them? How do you know if they’re correct for your website so that they actually protect your business?
Here’s the best news:
You don’t need to know all of the legal details and requirements about these three documents. That’s what the lawyers need to know. YOU only need to know how to MEET the requirements.
And you don’t need to pay a lawyer a huge chunk of money to get these documents customized to your particular business. That’s where Bobby comes in.
I got all of my legal forms from Bobby Klinck, a lawyer who specializes in online entrepreneurship. I went with him specifically because he has the templates ready to go and they are at an incredibly reasonable price. It's way less expensive than hiring a lawyer!
I highly recommend that you check out his Website Policy Pack - the 3 legal forms that your website absolutely needs.
If you find those helpful, you might want to take a look at Bobby’s entire library of legal forms and templates. There are specific forms in there for course creators, coaches, podcasters, and more.
Each one comes with an easy-to-follow video that will help you customize the template to fit your business needs. It’s easy-peasy!
3. LEAD MAGNET
If you have a lead magnet, it absolutely belongs on your website.
A lead magnet is a free item that you give away in exchange for an email address. It’s a great device for identifying people who may be interested in what you have to offer and getting their contact information so that you can continue to communicate with them.
People who are visiting your website are inherently expressing interest in what you offer. Giving them something to do while they’re there - i.e. request your lead magnet - is a great way to have them overtly express interest and connect with you there.
Since the homepage is the #1 most visited page on a website, make sure that your lead magnet can be found there.
So what makes a good lead magnet? It can be an ebook, a checklist, a video or even a series of videos, a quiz, a trial offer, a coupon, free templates… There are lots of good possibilities! It all depends on what your business is and what you offer.
Start by asking one or more of these questions:
- What is something that I can give away that would help people who need what I offer?
- What would give them more information about how I can help them?
- What would bring them one step closer to working with me?
4. BLOG
Most of the introverts that I’ve worked with and interviewed enjoy writing. Some use writing to process their thoughts while they recover; others simply find that they communicate best through the written word.
If this is you, consider adding a blog to your website. This is your opportunity to create content around your speciality which helps you show up as an expert in your field.
Now wait -- what if you’re actually more of a talker than a writer? That works out well because your blog can be video based instead. Video Blogs (aka Vlogs) are a fantastic option!
The one thing you need to keep in mind when you write a blog is that just writing it is not enough. Though you can certainly drive some traffic through search engine optimization (SEO), you should also plan on distributing your blog post via social media and email. If that sounds like a lot, you can automate much of it or hire someone to do the repetitive work.
5. ABOUT PAGE
One of the most viewed pages on any website is the about page. It's very likely that someone thinking about working with you will visit this page so they can learn more about you (which builds their trust factor!) so it’s definitely a page you want up and running on your website.
I wanted to list this here because most people make a big mistake with this page: They use it to regurgite their resume or worse, just restate services.
This is not a page to sell from!
This is the space for you to help them know you better, build a sense of connection, and nurture their trust.
To do this, make it about you and for them. In doing this, you’re helping them know, like and trust you.
For example, you can use it to address some of the questions that an interested visitor (aka a warm lead!) might want to ask, including:
- Why do you do this work? (How is your passion or belief system a part of it?)
- What do you bring to the table that makes you an expert? (What do you know that they need?)
- Who do you work with? (Have you helped people like them before?)
- Who are you as a person? (It’s your opportunity to share a bit about yourself and create that connection.)
BONUS: CONTACT PAGE
One more...
If reaching out to talk to people is intimidating and uncomfortable for you, putting a contact page on your website is essential because it enables others to reach out to you instead. That means that every person you talk to through this form has self-identified as a warm lead!
I know these are often an automatic page that most businesses add to a website, so I want to take this opportunity to highlight just how important this page can be to you!
When you add a contact page to your website, you reduce the distance and friction between your ideal prospects and you.
You reduce the distance by making it obvious that you’re open to being contacted and providing clear steps for how they should contact you. You reduce the friction by making it obvious and easy!
Want to kick all of this up a notch? Add a note on your contact page saying that your messages go to your inbox and you read every one. That can encourage warm leads to use that form to talk with you.
Two quick hints:
- If you are a solo-preneur, don’t say, “contact us.” Lean into being your authentic self and say either “contact me” or “contact form.” These are the little things that make a big difference when it comes to building trust.
- Don’t add your email address to your website! Website crawlers will find it and start sending you spam messages. (Ask me how I know!
)
So, that’s it… the features that every introvert needs on their website.
Do you have something to add to this list? Please add it in the comments below, or send me an email. I’d love to hear from you!
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Do you ever feel like marketing is for extroverts?
As an introvert, all of those marketing activities that require you to be outgoing and "on" all the time don't come easy for you.
But what if you could focus on marketing tactics that are ideal for an introvert? Activities that allow you market your business in a way that works best for your style?
That's what this guide offers.
Select the tactics that fit you best, apply them to your marketing, and create a sustainable strategy that will help you build your business.