Ready to craft a solid website? Tools you can use!

Menu:

Real Example: Briniak Marketing website changes

Website tools you can use

Building a website or changing an existing one can be intimidating, especially for those who find themselves saying “I’m not really a computer person.” I promise we’ll chat about tools you can use to make this task easier, but before we begin, let me start by getting on my soapbox:

YOU CAN LEARN AND DO THIS!

Cliché, I know, but I do not have any sort of degree in computers, technology, marketing or business and I am still doing this work.

Was it easy from the get go? No.

Was it quick to learn and do? Not really.

Do I occasionally doubt myself about my abilities? Yes.

It takes time, energy and resources to learn this stuff, but learning new things always does. And I think it is really important to remember another cliché: “Progress, not perfection.”

I will be honest, this website you’re on is not my original one. In fact, this is my third iteration. My first was a portfolio site on Google Sites (if you are tempted to see it, here you go!).

I was so proud of my second website (see above) as I was able to incorporate more content and elements than I was able to on my first one. However, after a couple months I realized it didn’t have the feel, look and tone of voice I wanted for my business, so I learned more and implemented new features and designs that better represent me and what I offer.

Whether you learn from a course you take, articles you read, or jump right in and learn as you go, you should find yourself growing and evolving, which is what both your organization and website should be doing as well!

Okay, off my soapbox…

After the previous articles from our Website Series, hopefully you have some ideas and resources on key elements and questions to help you build each page of your website.

Now it is time to build and work it out.

Want to review our latest Website Series articles? Find them here:

There's No Place Like Home... Page

About Me, Myself and I: The Power of an "About" Page

The Heartbeat of Your Website: Crafting Your 'Product' Pages

From Click to Happiness: Perfecting Your Website's Customer Service Journey

Website Tools You Can Use

(There are many more options that I am not highlighting, however I am sharing tools that I know and have used in the past. I am not endorsing any of these over others and am not being compensated by any of these companies for mentioning them. Also, make sure you check for any changes and updates to these tools (ie. licensing, policies, etc) as things may have changed from the time of publishing.)

Website Builders - these platforms allow individuals and organizations to create a website without the need for coding or design expertise. These platforms offer pre-designed templates, drag-and-drop functionalities, and customizable features, enabling users to establish an online presence with ease. They are cost-effective, user-friendly, offer integration options (like SEO, email marketing, ecommerce functions, etc.), and can help you get your website up and running quickly.

Here are some different options for you to learn more about:

• Wix

• Squarespace

• Shopify (specifically for ecommerce)

• Google Sites (requires a Google account)

• Weebly

• Wordpress.com (there is a CMS options through Wordpress.org, which offers open-source software to make your website extremely customizable, however requires hosting and usually has a steeper learning curve)

Visual Elements Resources - using tools to find and create visual elements can significantly elevate the aesthetic and functionality of a website, as it can help boost engagement, increase your professional appearance, and support consistent branding and identity. Some of these programs offer templates you can use and change, so that way you are not always starting from scratch.

Here are some tools to use for enhancing the visual appearance of your website:

• Canva - this is a design tool with templates for web graphics, infographics, and more. There are free and pro (paid) versions available.

• Adobe Express - another design platform similar to Canva and integrates with other Adobe Creative Cloud programs, like Photoshop and Lightroom.

• Unsplash - high-quality free photos for commercial and non-commercial purposes. No permission is needed, though author and artist recognition is appreciated.

• Pexels - another great source for free photos and videos. Same licensing rules seem to apply - no permission is needed, though author and artist recognition is appreciated.

• Google Fonts - a tool to find and preview different options of fonts and typography that you could use for text on your website.

Content and Copy

• ChatGPT - this tool is designed to generate human-like text based on the information it's trained on and by what prompts are used. By using it, you can easily create outlines, ideas, or even a first draft of copy for your website. I highly suggest, though, not to just copy and paste the text that is created - always read through it and ensure it sounds like you.

• EPIC Framework - we talked about this resource in the “About Us” page article [READ IT HERE!], but as a reminder, this framework can help you create a meaningful origin story about your small business or nonprofit.

Other Tools

• Visual size suggestions - this resource from CRO:NYX Digital has a really neat visual that shows image sizes that can be used on your website. Also Shopify has a RESOURCE as well that walks through different image/resolution sizes for various asset options.

• Navigation Ideas - this Hubspot article walks through a number of options for ways to create your menu on your website, however they also state “there’s no ‘right’ way” and offer some real examples of navigation options.

• Line and Character spacing suggestions - readability is important for accessibility so this article gives a good rule of thumb when it comes to both line and character spacing for text on your web pages.

• Product description suggestions - Shopify has a lot of resources for ecommerce businesses on their blog, and this article gives tips on how to create better product descriptions for your online store.

• Testimonial ideas and templates - there are different types of testimonials you can add to your website. This Hubspot article offers different options for creating testimonials, as well as examples and a free guide.

There are a LOT of tools and resources out there, both free and paid, that can help you create a professional and great looking website for your small business or nonprofit. Also remember, if something doesn’t look right or you want to make a change, you can! Just like yourself as a professional and the organization you run, your website can and should evolve.

Keep coming back to the customer journey of your potential customers and supporters as you work through the build or update of each website page:

• Think about what they may want to see or know.

• Add new elements, features and content to your website that will draw them in and keep them engaged.

• Adapt to changes, whether that’s with technology or with the needs, interests, and wants your visitors have.

And last reminder: YOU CAN DO THIS!