Websites Vs Instagram

Unlike Instagram, you own your website. You pick the platform you want to use and who to host it through. Being the landlord, if you don’t like who’s looking after your site, you can kick them out and move on to someone else.

Once you have a website, Google can start ranking you. But this takes time, so don’t wait another day. We waited too long to launch our initial website. During that time, we were missing out on valuable google juice.

And websites that are regularly updated are looked at favourably by Google because it shows the content you’re sharing is relevant and up-to-date.

So if you’re waiting until the perfect time to launch, that time is now. Launch before you’re ready so that you start reaping the benefits of google analytics.

Once your website is up, you can start making tweaks and adjustments. Google will view this as a positive move. Rather than waiting months or even years, you’ll be behind and constantly trying to play catch-up. It takes a long time to get found.

Everything you do, sell and offer is in one place, from your work and blog to the products in your shop.

Here you can share your work, designs, and how you can help your potential customers.
It can also be used as a portfolio to help promote you.

Your website is where all your work and designs live in one easy-to-find and search place.

But remember, only show your best work. Showing work that’s just ok could mean losing a potential job, so leave the weak pieces out.

Giving your viewers a quick overview of your work allows potential clients to know whether you are both a good fit for each other. And including details about yourself puts a face to your business and helps form a closer relationship with your customers.

This means you have to follow the rules of your landlord. If you don’t, you’ll get kicked off the platform.

And if you have ever found yourself landed in Instagram jail”, it’s a horrible, sinking feeling of unknowing if and when you can get back on.

Often it had nothing to do with you and more with the algorithm or an update to the platform. Your business can’t run on that kind of uncertainty.

Plus, your account or the entire platform can shut down at any time, and unfortunately, there’s not a lot you can do about it.

Sure, you can share work on Instagram, but your potential clients would have to dig through numerous posts to see everything you’ve ever created. And that’s just too much work for the average person.

Instagram is, however, a great platform to share behind-the-scenes, work in progress or ask your audience for their opinion on a piece you’re designing.

While Instagram allows your potential clients to get to know more about you, a caption can only tell them so much, while your website acts as an experience that your potential client takes.

While some businesses use Instagram as a shop front to show their work, rather than having a website, what happens when your customer wants to buy something? Now you’re making it hard for them. And as soon as you make them think – you’ve lost them, and they’ll move on.

Instagram is, however, a great platform to share behind-the-scenes, work in progress or ask your audience for their opinion on a piece you’re designing.

1. A website helps solve your customer’s problems & answers their questions

Every customer has a problem that they need to solve, and your website should take them on a journey showing them how you are the answer to their problems.

On a website, all the distractions of social media are gone, and this is your chance to quickly and clearly address their problems and show them how you (and your products) are the solutions they’ve been searching for.

2. Trust & Credibility

Your potential client may have found you on Instagram, but how do they know whether they can trust you and that you are actually a credible source?

Once someone finds out about you, they will google you to find your website to ensure you’re legit and have credibility in your field.

A website that is both clear and concise takes your customer from feeling stressed, confused, and unsure of what to do next to them feeling like you’re the answer to their problem.

Next, trust starts building because they know that you’re genuinely here to help.

And to further build trust, show logos of brands or publications you have either worked with or appeared in.

Finally, include testimonials that show how you helped solve other people’s problems, especially those that may be similar to their issues.

3. Is this a professional business or a hobby? (Yes, how your website looks matters)

From the moment they land on your site viewers are introduced to you and your visual branding. This includes your logo, tagline, brand colors, brand fonts, and photos.

Your carefully chosen positive images that reflect your ideal client allow them to see themselves.  Making the website look and feel professional.

A strategically designed website means every headline, image, call to action and overall visual branding has a purpose. It takes your website from looking like a hobby to a legit, credible business and an expert in your field.

Suddenly your website looks and feels more professional and a website that matches the quality of the work you create also means that the prices you charge can reflect this.

4. Finding you Online

No matter how wonderful your work is business is, if your customers can’t find you online they don’t know that you exist.

SEO-optimized website helps your dream customers or clients find you and connect with you.

They may find your website by googling keywords or come in contact with your blogs through another search engine such as Pinterest.

Many customers or clients may want to contact you directly, so be sure to make this process smooth with an easy-to-find email address or mobile number.

5. Capture an email list

Now that your potential customers have found your website continue the journey with them by offering a free download (also known as an opt-in).

Websites are great for capturing an email list in exchange for a helpful free resource enabling you to keep in contact with this warm lead by offering weekly helpful emails and an opportunity to sell your products or services to them.