My three top tips for creating a website

After much thinking, designing and procrastinating, my website has finally gone live. And when it came to it, it wasn’t so difficult and I’m both proud and excited about it. I thought I’d share some learnings I’ve had long the way, and offer you my three top tips, which will hopefully be helpful if you’re thinking of creating your own page all about you.

1. Decide what you want your website to say about you

Before thinking about what it’s going to look like, how often you’ll write a blog, or even what domain name you’ll opt for, take some time to think about the purpose of your website. I considered it in terms of the why, what and how. Why: it’d be good to have a place where people can check me out, over and above the LinkedIn profile. And if it bought in extra clients, all the better. What: with such varied work in the role I do, it was quite difficult to distil it down, but I managed to come up with the three areas of work that interest me most: individual and team development, coaching, and culture change. How: it was important for me to get across what I’m like to work with. A combination of the language I used and my valued testimonials helped with that, as did the information about me, not just what I do but who I am.

2. Begin with content and pictures

I wrote the text for the pages I wanted on my website quite a while before they became web pages. It worked for me to just write into a word document what I wanted to say, and then revisit that a few times before it felt right. Then, as far as pictures go, it was the amazing pictures that I had taken that were the catalyst for me to put them to good use. I have to give credit to Dorte Kjaerulff for managing the impossible there.

Content and pictures at the ready. Only then is it time to start looking at website design.

3. Work out who you know who can help

Okay, so I’m very proud of building my website, albeit using a template (which I have to confess was pretty easy to navigate). However, I wouldn’t have got there without a teeny bit of valuable help. Credit must go to the following: my son, Chris Wake for helping me choose a template, showing me how to get going with it, and doing a few tweaks to make it all look so professional; my wise and valued friend Fiona Waterfield, who encourages me, champions me and gives me incredibly useful feedback; and finally Paul Barker who kicked my ass to get it done, and is also a valued giver of feedback. Even my mum found herself involved as I ran things past her. Don’t overlook who’s around you who can provide that bit of extra help.

If you’re thinking of building or refreshing a website, then what’s stopping you? Believe me, if I can do it, you can.