When you’re a new service business, there’s the temptation to take on every client that pays. Even if you may not want to work with a client, you might say yes just to get revenue flowing. (We’ve all been there!)

But, if you’re an established business, there’s the fear of shifting who you serve. Maybe you’re bringing in a stable income with clients who were really exciting to work with back in the day… but now the work doesn’t quite light you up like it used to. Or, maybe your existing client base doesn’t align with your vision for the future.

Whatever the reason, that awkward twinge in your gut is your body telling you to think about client fit. Paying attention to client fit benefits your business, and starting now will bring you more peace and profit in the year to come.

Client fit builds an audience that’s absolutely right for you.

It feels scary to say no to bad-fit clients when you’re new. It’s even scarier to start building a new audience when you’re comfortable with the one you have. 

But, when you think about where your business could be a year or two from now, do you want your inbox to be full of inquiries from this type of client? If you don’t want that, but you keep saying yes to them anyway, you could end up growing an audience you never wanted in the first place.

You’ll save time by ensuring a clear and respectful relationship.

Even when a client needs what you have to offer, the client fit could fall short in other ways:

• Do they work in an industry that doesn’t fit you, or that you even find to be… boring?
• Does the client expect you to be available 24/7, or outside of business hours? 
• Are they asking for fast turnarounds or last-minute changes that you aren’t able to easily accommodate?
• Do they micromanage you when you’d rather be given creative freedom?
• Do they want to be totally hands-off when you prefer to build a more collaborative relationship?

When a client’s needs don’t align with your work style, you take on a bigger headache than you would for a client who fits you well… and you won’t even get paid more for your trouble! Sounds like a bum deal, doesn’t it?

Paying attention to client fit means that you’ll have a client who understands what you need from them and respects your boundaries. You get paid and get to work with someone delightful!

Client fit builds the potential for more ideal clients to come through with less effort from you.

If you’re building a referral-based business, it’s even more important to pay attention to client fit!  When your existing clients refer others to you, they’re most likely to refer you someone who’s just like them.

Think about it: if you just wrapped up working with the Client From Hell, would you want them to send you even more clients like them? Whether working with them was boring, frustrating, or just more than you bargained for, you know you don’t want to do it again.

On the flip side of that, if you just finished your work with an ideal client who was absolutely lovely to work with… do you want them to tell all of their like-minded friends and colleagues about you?

I think I can guess which option sounds better to you.

It doesn’t have to be hard to assess client fit, either.

Not sure whether you have the bandwidth to suss out whether a client fit is pitch-perfect? Even a brief conversation with the client can give you enough information to feel sure in your choice, or enough red flags that you know to pass them onto someone else. Spending that 15 minutes of time up-front could save you hours upon hours of time and frustration!

How can you shift your marketing or your consultation process to start making sure those dream clients come thru?

What’s in a Consultation?

A consultation is an excellent opportunity for you and your potential agency to get to know one another. A successful consultation allows both parties to learn about each other, clarify goals, and hopefully create a plan to work together.

While you may want to jump right into discussing the specifics of what you need, the creative team will benefit from understanding your business. Sharing a bit of your history and your mission will give your team a more accurate picture of who they’ll be working with.

What Makes You Unique?

You’ve chosen an agency likely because of their design expertise. They’ll want to know more about what you do, as well. Share details about your industry that may be relevant to the project. Include what sets you apart from your competitors. Let the team know why you’re the best at what you do!

Who Do You Serve?

If you already have distinct personas for your typical clients or customers, be sure to have that information handy. If you’re just getting started, think about who you’d ideally love to work with. Your agency may already have experience with that audience! 

You’ve Got Goals, Yeah?

You’re ready to level up your business. You want better brand recognition, more bookings, or maybe it’s time to hire new staff. Your agency will want to know what you hope to get out of this collaboration, and why you chose them as a potential partner.

Your goals will also help the creative team determine the full scope of your project. New website functionalities and integrations can make doing business a lot easier, and thethe team should know what works best.

How Much Time Do You Have?

In order to ensure a successful collaboration, both parties must be crystal clear about timelines. Say you’ve got an event planned in your future. Do you need your new website launched before then? If so, be sure to bring this up during your consultation. 

Something else to consider when thinking about timelines: feedback. You’ll need to factor in time on your end for reviewing mockups and drafts. Include ample time for sharing your feedback and reviewing revisions. Be as honest and upfront about your schedule.

Running your business is your priority, of course. Keep in mind, though: you’ll be working with another business whose priority is to deliver a top-notch project to you, their client. Use your consultation to get a sense of what’s expected of everyone involved.

But Really, What Do You Need?

As I mentioned earlier, you’ll be chatting with folks who are experts in their field. They’ll know all the bells and whistles necessary to bring your project to life. Ideally, your consultation will include a discussion of specific content and resource requirements. Make sure there is a clear understanding of who is responsible for each item. This will not only help your agency partner draft an accurate proposal, it will give you a better idea of what you may need to contribute.

This sounds like a lot to consider, huh? It can be… but finding the right team to bring your vision to life is worth the effort. 

If you’ve got big marketing goals for your business, you know we’re ready to help! Jump on a consultation call with us to get started!

A team like ours is ready to help, but good web designers can get it done better and faster if you have a good idea of what assistance you need. 

Before you start vetting web designers or jumping on consult calls, let’s discuss how you can start outlining a smart plan for your website design.

What Exactly Do You Do?

If you’re thinking about a website, your initial thoughts might lean more towards design elements – colors, fonts, logos, et cetera. While these elements are certainly important (and we’ll get to them!), your offering should take center stage. 

Start your design mission with clarity about who you are, what you offer, and who will benefit from this offering.

What Exactly Should Your Website Do?

Consider your website as your virtual storefront. If someone were to walk into your shop or office, what kind of experience would you want them to have? Would you make a great first impression if a potential customer had to wade through piles of boxes just to get to you? Probably not!

A physical storefront exists to feature what you’re selling, and make it easy to buy. From the customer’s perspective, they want a place where what they need is within reach and easy to find. Your online storefront should have the same intentions. 

As you embark on your website design project, be clear about what you want your website to feature and how you want your potential customers to engage with you.

Put the “Fun” in “Functionality”

With your offering taking center stage, you should also think about how your new website can improve the experience you deliver to your client. 

Having your contact information accessible and easy to find is an excellent start. Perhaps there could also be questions you can add to a contact form to speed up the onboarding process.

Can your website eliminate some extra steps for the customer as well? Functionalities like online scheduling or payment portals can help them start working with you quicker. 

Online stores or e-commerce plugins can also improve the shopping experience if you’re selling products. Again: the goal is creating a clear path for your customer to get what they need.

Good Design Solves Problems!

Remember when I said we’d get to design elements earlier? Well, here we are! Smart, intentional design sets you apart from your competitors. A unique look or brand can also help attract your dream customers.

You may be thinking, “Geez, if design is so important, why’d you wait so long to bring it up?” If you’ve chosen a smart design team, their goal should be purpose-driven design. You want the look and feel of your website to support your mission and vision, and to guide your site visitors on a clear path through your site. Yes, the design should attract your ideal folks – but it’s your offering that should keep them engaged and interested.

All of this said: it definitely helps if you have at least a general idea of how you’d like things to look. If you already have a brand kit, complete with a logo and color palette, that’s a great start. 

Maybe you’ve seen other websites that inspire you (or turn you off!). Sharing these with your design team can get the creative wheels turning. Don’t be shy about letting them know about your likes and dislikes!

If a new or refreshed website is one of your 2023 goals, you know we’re ready to help! If you want an assist mapping it all out, our website planner is the perfect tool to get that started. Or jump on a consultation call with us! 

Something to consider, though: you’re inviting a designer or agency to be more than a service provider. You want someone who understands you, your audience, and your goals. You want a creative teammate.

Of course, we all remember the old adage, “There is no ‘I’ in ‘team.’” As much as you are hiring someone to provide a service, your provider will expect at least some collaboration so they can help you reach your goals. Here are a few tips to help you and your agency partner work better together.

What’s All This About “Teamwork”?!

You may be thinking, “If I hire an agency to design my logo/build my website/manage my social media presence, shouldn’t they be doing most of the work?” And you’d be right, for the most part! You hire someone for their specific expertise, which is likely outside of your own zone of genius.

Thing is, your agency isn’t in it to only show off their skills. Their zone of genius is using their years of technical experience to help YOU shine online. The only way they can make that happen is if they have a strong grasp on your goals. And the only way they’ll capture that is if you share the details, goals, and resources that are so vital to the project.

Know Your Values – And Theirs

We talk about values often here at Upswept. Making positive contributions to our community is important to us. We choose to partner with other small businesses and nonprofits with the same intentions, and we don’t shy away from these intentions in our own messaging.

How an agency carries itself online can tell you a lot about them. It will also give you an excellent idea of how they may express your ideals online. Take some time to scope out someone’s social media presence to get a better sense of their “voice” and their priorities. Make sure they fit with your own.

Skip the Culture Shock

Just as a creative provider has a set of values, they also have a certain vibe to who they are and what they do. Make sure your company culture matches theirs. You can appreciate someone’s design style or marketing brand voice, but their approach to the work should fit you well, too. For example, if you’re a by-the-book professional focused on metrics and strict deadlines, you may find working with a more laid-back creative-type more frustrating than fruitful.

Communicate Clearly

Keeping lines of communication open is crucial to a good working partnership. What makes great teamwork, though, is also being clear about how you prefer to communicate.

These days, many of us work remotely, and often asynchronously. We rely on email to keep us connected to our coworkers and clients, but there may be times when you need a different way to communicate. You may prefer the occasional phone call, or feel more confident with a regular in-person meeting. You may also find that an online meeting with screen sharing makes it simpler to talk through your needs. Be clear about what works best for you! This way, your creative teammate knows the best ways to connect with you.

Set expectations around availability. You may need someone who can share files or deliverables outside of traditional work hours. Make that expectation clear on the outset, so you don’t find yourself frustrated when you need something after 5pm on a Friday. 

Deciding to work with a creative team can be daunting. But it’s a sign that your business is growing, so celebrate it! Remember your goals, your values, and your communication style—being clear on those will help you find your perfect match in a team.

While you can’t necessarily stop what you’re doing, you can be more mindful and skillful about how you handle your day-to-day work in an unsettled world. 

Stay Committed to Your Values

If you’ve been following us for any length of time, you know that we’re unafraid of sharing our values. Having clarity about the kind of world we want to live in helps inform not only the work we do, but the causes and organizations we choose to support.

Before you wade into the deep end of current events, take a moment to consider what you hold dear. Let those values inspire the actions you choose to take, and the public statements you may choose to make. If nothing else, this acts as a beacon to attract like-minded clients. 

You Aren’t Responsible for Saving the World

Let me repeat: you are not solely responsible for saving the world. I do not say this to absolve anyone of their civic responsibility. We live in community; our actions do affect our neighbors, near and far.

That said: we each have our own “zone of genius.” We’ve all heard the adage, “too many cooks spoil the broth.” We can’t all be generals in an army of change. What can you contribute? Better yet: what do you realistically have energy to contribute? It will take all of us and all of our unique gifts to craft a better world. Do what you do, and do it well.

You Deserve a Break Today

The best way to do things well? Make sure you are properly rested!

We know the world of business runs 24/7, these days especially. That does not mean you have to be available all the time. You won’t be effective, in your business or your community, if you’re overworked and burned out.

Do what you need to do to keep your workday manageable. If you’re working solo, make sure to carve out time in your day for rest. If you’re fortunate enough to have a team, keep lines of communication open and assign tasks appropriately. Make sure everyone feels supported.

When I say “rest” here, I really do mean it! Doomscrolling social media doesn’t count, and certainly won’t help ease any anxiety. Take breaks from your devices to decompress. If you’re concerned about staying connected with your clients, schedule specific times to answer emails and engage on social media.

It’s Okay to Be Antisocial

We’re well aware of the importance of a social media presence. We love to champion the ease with which various apps and platforms allow us to stay connected with friends and fans alike. It’s equally important to focus the time you spend on social media on what matters most to you and your business.

As I mentioned earlier, scheduling time to connect with your folks online not only helps your engagement, it helps your mental and emotional health. Keep your online visits oriented towards your business.

If you do elect to follow news accounts and social justice-oriented content creators, be mindful of how you spend your time online, and be aware of how much it may be spilling over into your non-work time. It’s 100% okay to unfollow malicious accounts or those who peddle misinformation. You don’t need that kind of negativity in your life, online or off.

Truth is, we will always find ourselves living and working in an unsettled world. Take a breath (or three) and get yourself grounded. Remember why you do what you do and who you choose to serve. Let this be what guides you.

If you could use an assist to help with your online strategy, don’t forget we got you, friend.

—Vivian Ward, Pretty Woman

Whether we like it or not, social media is an important part of modern marketing strategy. 

To be as visible as possible you need a strong, consistent, focused social media presence with engaging content and strategic messaging. You’ll have to regularly post new information, engage with your audience, and keep up with the latest trends and best practices.

And who, exactly, has time to do that and run a business?

You can DIY it for a while, but eventually, you’ll a) get burned out by having to keep up with posting or b) grow enough that social media needs to play a larger part in your business, or c) both. 

Social Media Managers to the rescue! Posting powers activate! 

Having someone take over your social media needs is one of the best things you can do to save yourself time and energy. 

But… what does a Social Media Manager do?

As Upswept Creative’s Social Media Maven I say what we post, when we post, and how often we post. 

Follow me for a peek into what it’s like to have me on your side!

Social Media Strategy

One of the first things I do as a social media manager is evaluate your current social media strategies and figure out how to make them better. If you’ve been flying solo with posting you might not have much of a strategy, but believe me—it’s a whole lot better to have a plan.

Your strategy is individual to you and your business, but includes a few key things:

• What are your goals with social media? 
• Who are you trying to reach?
• What are they interested in and what do they like?
• Where and when are they on social media?

All of these questions determine which social media platform is best for your business and what kind of message will speak to your particular audience. 

Optimize Your Social Media Accounts

Do not neglect your bios! 

If you only knew how many times I’ve seen bios with no information, outdated information, or irrelevant information…

You don’t want to be that person, and I won’t let you. I’ll optimize your accounts to be the first impression that grabs attention. Social media algorithms pick up keywords in your bio that can direct more people to your account. 

We’ll work together to make sure any images, profile pics, or logos are up to date and relevant to your audience and your branding.

And I’ll check that your accounts are all set up to be as effective as possible.

Set Up Social Marketing Tools

There are hundreds of tools, platforms, and software that all want to help you streamline your social media marketing. Researching all the options and learning how to use them is a giant time suck as a business owner.

I’ll help you choose the tools that fit your budget and your needs. And I’ll figure out how to use them!

Social Media Content and Branding

Not all Social Media Managers also create content, but it’s generally part of the job description unless you work with a dedicated marketing team—as is branding.

Your brand is how you show up online. It’s your story, your personality, your voice, and your look. My job is to bring your social media content in line with your brand. 

When someone looks at your social media, they should automatically be able to tell it’s yours. The colors, style, and tone of your posts should be consistent and cohesive across platforms. 

As a content creator, I aim to get your message across in your voice—whether it’s funny and irreverent, serious and business-like, or cute and bubbly. 

Social Media Analytics

How do you know your social media strategy is working? 

As part of my job as a Social Media Manager, I keep a close eye on what’s getting engagement and what’s not. Tracking, tweaking, and testing different kinds of content or different scheduling strategies helps me know what your audience wants more of. 

We’ll meet at certain intervals (monthly, quarterly) to discuss the analytics and what direction we need to take. 

Analytics is one of the most intimidating parts of social media for people to learn, so it’s helpful to have someone else take that on. 

Do I Need a Social Media Manager?

If you want to grow your social media presence and make the platforms work for you, you can totally do it yourself. 

But the time commitment necessary might be more than you’re willing to give. And social media might not be in your wheelhouse. I definitely can’t run a foundation, bake a wedding cake, or any number of things that our clients are amazing at!

If you find yourself overwhelmed and unsure about what to do with your social media, check out our Social Media Strategy Session! We’d love to help you figure out what your next steps should be.

Follow us on Instagram for more social media info and tips.

(Just About) Everyone is Online Now

Once upon a time, online-only entrepreneurs were more exceptions than rule. In the wake of major changes in our economic landscape, more businesses have shifted to an online-heavy or online-only footprint.

According to the Census Bureau, over 4 million Americans filed paperwork to start new businesses in 2021. While this statistic does not necessarily translate to 4 million new online-only businesses, the rise of platforms like Patreon and OnlyFans does indicate rapid growth in the “Creator” sector.

That rapid growth also means more competition in the digital sphere. Which means your offering has to show up and stand out online.

Getting Anti-Social (Media)

Of course we’ll see exceptions to how businesses show up in the online space.

Remember the great Facebook outage of 2021? While it wasn’t connected to an increased number of users, we can say with certainty that more than a few small business owners felt the pinch of lost exposure, engagement, and sales.

We’ve talked before about ensuring you have more control over your digital audience. With concerns about security, privacy, and misinformation, there’s no time like the present to consider changing how you show up online.

Blogs, email newsletters, videos, and podcasts are all viable digital tools to introduce you to new audiences and keep you in touch with your tried-and-trues – all while allowing you greater control of how you engage with these folks.

If you can’t imagine doing business today without Instagram, remember that companies like Lush have already cut the social media cord! That could give you the nudge you need to rethink how you show up online.

Less Work, More Life

Let’s think about those 4 million-plus new businesses. You likely recall the myriad changes in our work worlds that gave rise to this influx of entrepreneurship. Mass layoffs and furloughs, as well as shifts away from in-person business, had many of us rethinking our notions of work-life balance.

Nowadays it’s not enough to pay lip service to ideas like family-friendly work policies and unlimited PTO. Workers want to know they’re being legitimately respected and cared for by their employers. If that isn’t the case… well, we clearly see they’re unafraid of striking out on their own.

If you manage a staff, there’s no time like the present to establish – and practice – workplace values that will help your business stand out. (Shameless plug: we actually know a pretty rad agency hiring right now!)

Before you get too stressed about adapting to all of the new trends on the horizon, keep in mind that not every trend will be as impactful or lasting as predicted. Some of those trends may not make much sense with how you do business, either!

We’ve said it before: it’s better to pick and choose what works for you than to try to be everywhere and do everything–and if you could make it work for you with some outside help, start exploring what that support could look like.

In an ideal world, securing your domain name and establishing your online home would be enough. In this increasingly virtual world, however, you’ve got a fair amount of competition.

Don’t fret, friends: if you’re already on social media, you’ve got an excellent tool at your disposal for driving traffic to your website.

What’s All This About Traffic?

Some useful statistics: there are approximately 3.5 billion daily active social media users. They tend to spend about three hours a day on social media. 54% use social media to make purchasing decisions, and 71% are likely to recommend a brand or business to friends or family after a positive experience.

Those are a lot of numbers to let you know that social media has the potential to drive relevant traffic to your website – if you know how to use it in your favor.

Style Your Profile

We often spend a lot of our time dwelling on the type of content we want to share on our social media channels. That’s a good thing, for sure – we want to position ourselves as experts in our respective fields, and we want to offer folks quality information that supports this notion.

Don’t forget, however: the time you spend priming your profile is just as valuable as the content you share. Whether it’s your Instagram bio or your Facebook About page, your profile gives people relevant information about your business. It’s also the ideal place to include your website link!

When people enjoy and appreciate the content you share, they’re likely to click through to your profile to learn more. Take advantage of that!

Keyword Research Is Your Friend

Here at Upswept, we’re huge proponents of smart search engine optimization (SEO) to help drive traffic to your website. Spend some time getting into the mind of your potential customers and how they might be searching for you online, and you just might discover a veritable treasure trove of high-quality copy for your website.

What’s even more awesome about this? You can use this same keyword research to create social media content! When you know what your customers are talking about, you can find the right way to share your wisdom and contribute to their conversations.

Circling back to using your profiles effectively: consider adding keywords to your profiles and bios. In the same way we use search engines to find businesses, we can also perform the same searches on social media. Including relevant keywords ensures your profile appears in those searches.

Keep It Social

You’re showing up online to promote your business. Your customers, however, are more likely online for the social aspect. They’re there primarily to stay connected with friends and family and enjoy entertaining, engaging content. Make sure the content you share provides the kind of value your ideal customers would enjoy.

Create posts around general topics related to your niche or area of expertise (and connected, of course, to your keyword research!). When folks engage with your posts, make sure to respond in kind. Not only will that engagement create a connection with an individual, it will show others who might land on your feed that you’re invested in your community.

Increased engagement helps boost your presence in the algorithm. Combine that with the positive reputation you’ve built with your followers, and you have a recipe for increased brand awareness – and increased eyes on your website.

Looking to up your website traffic game? Schedule a website consultation with us, or learn more about our Purpose-Powered Website program!

Sorting out what to share about your business on social media poses a unique challenge. You know what makes you the best person for the job, but how do you translate that into something shareable? Let’s answer that question by discussing social media content ideas for your business.

What Do We Mean By “Social Media Content”?

When we talk social media content, we’re talking about the bulk of what you share. This includes the copy you write in captions and headlines, as well as the images you create (photos, videos, graphics, etc.).

Think of this content as the verbal and visual language you use to inform potential customers or clients about your business and its unique offerings.

Who Are You?

If you want to tell folks about your business, always start with the basics: tell folks about yourself!  This is important, because explaining who you are and how you came to do what you do can create connections with potential customers. If they can see themselves in your journey, they may also see themselves working with you or purchasing from you.

Don’t hesitate to go beyond the business aspect, though. These days, folks want to know more about their favorite makers and creators. Let your social media content offer glimpses of the person (or people, if you’ve got a team) behind the scenes. What songs are you rocking out to while you work, for example? How do you unwind after a workday?

Placing your values front and center can also attract like-minded followers, as long as your actions back up your content. 51% of consumers support brands whose values align with theirs (this is especially true for Millennial and Gen Z consumers, who are more likely to shop online). Sharing content that reveals your ethics and your connection to your community can help attract like-minded fans.

Tell ‘Em Why (And Make It Count)

You know you’ve got a stellar product or service. Use your social media to shine a light on that. Make sure your content focuses on the benefits of your offerings, though, and not just its features. You know what makes your offerings great – how is that greatness going to show up in your customers’ experience with you?

If you provide a service, consider educational content that followers can take and use right away. Give them a taste of what it’s like to work with you and the kind of value your services can bring them.

Testimonials from your satisfied customers fall under this umbrella as well. Your current fans are the best advertisement! 93% of customers read online reviews before making a purchase. If you’ve got rave reviews, you’ve already got quality content to share! Plus, user-generated content is a great way to collect content with minimal effort on your part. It’s a win-win situation (as long as you’ve been granted permission to share, of course)! 

Be Yourself, Always

It can feel daunting to jump into the maelstrom that is social media, especially now. If you haven’t established a solid foothold quite yet, you might feel intimidated by others in your field with high follower counts or enthusiastic fan bases.

Keep in mind: there will always be folks further along on this path than you (just like there will be folks starting out after you and even inspired by you), but no one will have the exact same experience and perspective that you offer.

Let yourself be inspired by your peers, but under no circumstance should you copy their content. You might think, “of course!” You’d also be surprised at the number of people unashamed to pilfer high-quality copy, graphics, and products from successful accounts in an effort to skip the challenging part of building an online presence.

If you do stumble upon someone else’s amazing post and feel compelled to share it with your followers, do the original creator a solid and tag them when you repost. Giving folks credit for their hard work is proper online etiquette, and tagging others boosts both their engagement and yours.

It’s okay for your growth to take some time! Your focus should always be on building your skills so your business can progress and thrive. Your social media presence is but one of many parts of building that thriving business. Find a way to tell your story that suits you and fits your schedule. And never hesitate to ask for help – that’s what folks like us are here for! 

Imagine you’re having a party at your house (I know I have been imagining it a lot this year!). What would you do to make a guest at your home feel comfortable and meet their needs?

Your website is your business’s home online, and seeing yourself as a friendly guide will help you find the words and images that will make your website visitors want to stick around for a while.

Show Website Visitors They’re in the Right Place

Unless you’re throwing a backyard blowout, you would probably greet your customer at the door. You wouldn’t just leave the door unlocked for them to wander into like they’re in a gothic horror novel, trying to figure out whether this is actually where you live.

You also wouldn’t leave them standing on the porch as you give them a long list of facts about your house. They’re going to get uncomfortable and, if you’re in Oregon like we are, cold and possibly rain-soaked.

When someone lands on your website, let them know they’re in the right place in a concise and friendly way. Don’t write a wall of text on your homepage about how great your company is or your life story. Let them know that this is where the party is, and then get ready to guide them to the next step. They can learn about who you are along the way, or once they’ve made themselves comfortable and are ready to have a conversation.

Escort Them to the Main Event

Your guests are there for the party, not to chit chat in your foyer or stare at your cabinet full of figurines. You also want them to join the party (why else would they be there? ).  Sure, they might be able to wander toward the sound of music and voices to find the party, but walking them into the room yourself makes it far less awkward.

A good host guides their guests to where they want to go and gives them a clear vision of what they can do when they get there. Show them to the place where they want to go so they can see what awaits them.

“They’re grilling out on the patio if you’re hungry, and people are setting up to play board games in the living room if you want to play.” 

You and your website visitor have a common goal—to find out what your offerings are and what they can do. Don’t make them dig around to find your offers. Tell them immediately where to go to find the thing that they want to buy from you or learn about. Someone on your website isn’t going to hang out just to be polite if they don’t like the scene. They’ll just bounce.

Make Them Feel Welcome

Ever walk into a room of people playing a game or having a conversation and just feel totally lost? At the most awkward of parties, nobody introduces you around, nobody welcomes you or gives you background on what’s going on, and you end up just standing there, trying to figure out what to do with yourself. Don’t do that to your guests!

On your website, it isn’t enough to just name your offer, then list its features and price. The visitor won’t be able to see how they fit in unless you show them. How do they use your product? What will your services do to make their lives better? Invite them to see themselves as part of your offer so they don’t get bored and leave.

Point Out What They’re Looking For 

If your guest is holding a plate of cookies, or if they have to go to the bathroom after a long car ride, you don’t want to leave them hanging. It’s courteous to tell them where to put their food, where the bathroom is, where they can hang their coat and other house rules. And it starts your evening off on the right foot by helping them orient themselves to their surroundings.

In the same way, create a space on your website where people can ask you questions, find answers to questions before ever needing to talk to you, and fulfill other needs like making returns or accessing membership perks.

The way you interact online is different than how you interact in the real world, but you’re still inviting real people into your digital space. Make that digital space as comfortable as possible, and they’ll want to stick around—and maybe even come back!