5 Tips for a Website That FINALLY Feels Right

A gorgeous website is nice and all, but to really make an impact, you need to be clear on two things:

• Your brand story (the “who, what, and why” of what makes your brand unique).
• Your ideal client (the person you’re most excited to help because working with them feels joyful!).

Back in the day, when I was a health coach, I thought I wanted to help EVERYONE. Super nice of me, right? But here’s the truth: when you try to talk to everyone, you may end up connecting with no one.

Ouch!

These days, my site unapologetically speaks to female entrepreneurs in service-based businesses (think coaches and consultants). Does this mean I’ve closed my door to everyone else? Not at all - come right in! But I’ve found that choosing a niche makes my message stronger and my marketing more focused.

If you're impatient like I am, it’s tempting to dive straight into designing, but aimless noodling can be a total time suck. Instead, start by gathering inspiration.

I made a Pinterest mood board (but you can use anything - your Notes app, a Google Doc, even scraps of paper if you’re feeling old-school). Gather ideas for imagery, colors, and layouts you love - not to copy, but to spark inspiration!

Once I had a clear “vibe,” the design process moved so much faster (and was actually really enjoyable!).

There are so many website platforms out there, and trust me, I’ve tried a LOT. 😅

From the “big guns” to plug-in-heavy WordPress setups to beginner-friendly, drag-and-drop builders.

My personal favorite? Systeme.io (that’s my affiliate link!).

Systeme totally hits the sweet spot for me: easy to use, feature-packed, and shockingly affordable (they even have a super-robust free plan!).

If your current platform makes you want to cry while hugging a tub of ice cream, it might be time to try something else.

Clutter is never a good look, including on a website. Give your design plenty of breathing room - open space is your best friend.

Use backgrounds that don’t compete with your text (speaking of backgrounds, I love a good parallax effect but I try not to overdo it).

Add little design touches that subtly elevate the vibe.

Here’s one of my “secret sauce” tricks: use a thin strip of color from the previous section as a background detail for the next. Then, overlay images on top of it, with drop shadows. It’s an easy way to create flow and visual interest and really add some dimension to the design (see the pencil and coffee stain below).

Your website shouldn’t just look good, it should make your life easier, too. Automate as much as possible, so you can spend more time serving your clients and growing your biz.

For instance:

• 📩 When someone signs up for my email list, their freebie is delivered automatically, followed by a welcome email sequence.
• 🗓️ When someone books a 1:1 session, Systeme's calendar syncs with my Zoom account. All I have to do is show up when it’s time to meet.

The less busywork, the better. Am I right?

Okay, I’ll wrap it up here so this doesn't turn into my next book, but I invite you to explore my shiny new website (which you're on right now!). Feel free to send ‘new website shower gifts’. JK, of course! 😆

But please do feel free to send along any questions you have about the creative process or tech - simply pop them in the comments below! I’m always excited to share my experience with you. xo