Why You Need a Website + Should Buy Your Domain Name Now

These days, if you don't exist online, it's kind of like you don't exist. I don't mean that in a snarky way, I mean it in a basic, bare-bones, business kind of way. 

I recently came across an informational eBook on Amazon that looked somewhat interesting; before I bought it, I wanted to know about the author, so I googled her. I googled her name in all sorts of ways with all sorts of descriptions around it, but NOTHING came up. I was shocked--an author who doesn't exist online? 

Because I couldn't learn anything about her to back-up why she was able to write this informational book, I didn't buy it. She lost a sale simply because she doesn't have a website. 

I know that in 2015, this seems obvious, but I'm always amazed at the number of people who are selling a good, product, or service who still don't have a website. 

Yoga teachers: I'm talking to you. Artists + craftspeople (especially Etsy shop owners!): I'm talking to you. Hair stylists, therapists, PTs: I'm talking to you. The person who walks dogs in your free time on the weekends (just because you like it!): I'm talking to you. 

When I'm working with clients, I often describe your website as your storefront. Since so many of us don't have brick + mortar shops anymore, our websites serve as our storefronts. They allow people to take a peek inside our shop, glance at our shelves, and quickly decide if this shop has anything they want inside, or whether or not they'll return later when looking for something specific.

Yesterday, while listening to a podcast, I heard the online world described as a dance party: social media is the club where you show off your moves, your website is your house where you invite people back for the after party, your email inbox is your bedroom, into which you only allow certain people. Interesting, right?

Although these examples are different, in both, your website is the rock solid home base. It's the foundation that provides legitimacy, shelter, and a space for people to see inside and begin to understand you (or your business) better. 

So why don't you have a website yet? Or why haven't you built it out so that it communicates who you are to the world? 

Now is the time to get your website together.

Even if you're not ready for a site yet, or haven't yet started anything on your own, I still think that you should look into buying your domain name now. 

That way, when you do start that thing you've been dreaming of for years--or that thing that isn't even an idea yet but might become something in the future--you'll already own yourname.com. It's kind of empowering to own your domain and most domain names are super cheap these days (There are many services out there, but I always use GoDaddy to buy mine because I find them to be super easy and affordable--some as low as $2.99 per year!). 

Oh, and if you're at all visual or creative and want to take a stab at making your website yourself, I recommend using either Weebly or Squarespace, two of my favorite services for building your own beautiful site. Both make it incredibly easy and I'm a big fan of having ownership over your site, if you're at all interested in doing so, of course.

Feel overwhelmed when it comes to websites? Need more help with this topic or with your own website? See my P.S. below... ;) 

P.S.  For those who are local and want to learn more about the process of building your website and/or getting your business up-and-running ASAP, I'm co-leading a workshop on Saturday, September 12th from 1-5:30 entitled Branding Essentials for Small Biz Owners + Solopreneurs. This workshop which will cover {almost} everything you need to know when it comes to this topic and we'll definitely be covering websites in-depth. You can learn more + sign up here. 

Don't have time to build your website but want to get one up right away? I love building basic, professional-looking websites for clients and am happy to help ;) Learn more about my design services here. 

Yoga teachers: Need more guidance with building your brand online? I wrote an eBook just for you all about it. Check it out here.