Redesigning Your Website? Start here.
The start of a new year often comes with a rush of resolutions, bold promises, and a flurry of online activity. It’s easy to feel swept up in the pressure to announce your plans, declare your goals, and amplify your presence.
But what if you approached this year differently? What if your website could do the heavy lifting without constantly shouting for attention?
If you’re like me (allergic to self-promo but still wanting your work to reach the right people), here are some thoughtful questions to guide you in creating a site that works seamlessly, whether you're building it for the first time or giving it a refresh.
Like Chidi (from The Good Plae), the idea here is to build something meaningful without needing to broadcast every step. It’s about intentional choices that align with your values and letting your work quietly shine.
1. Simplify Your Homepage
A homepage is like a first handshake—it sets the tone for how people feel about you and your work. I used to think I needed to cram everything onto the homepage: all the services, all the links, all the stuff. Spoiler: I was wrong.
What I’ve learned is that less is truly more. When your homepage is clear and focused, it feels more inviting.
A Few Questions That Helped Me:
What’s the one thing I want people to feel? For me, it’s trust and calm. Maybe for you, it’s curiosity or excitement.
What’s the next step I want them to take? Whether it’s reading a blog post or booking a consultation, pick one action and make it easy to find.
What Worked for Me:
Using lots of negative space—it feels like a deep breath.
Writing a headline that feels like a warm welcome.
Adding a single, clear button (e.g., “Learn More” or “Let’s Chat”) instead of a bunch of links.
When I simplified my homepage, it felt less like shouting and more like a gentle, “Hi, I’m here if you need me.”
2. Make Your About Page About Connection
Oh, the about page. It’s the one part of a website that used to make me want to close my laptop and walk away. Writing about myself? Ugh.
But then I realized something: The about page isn’t really about me—it’s about connection. It’s about giving people a little insight into who I am so they feel comfortable reaching out.
What Helped Me Reframe It:
Why do I do what I do? This felt less intimidating than listing my credentials.
How does my work help others? Shifting the focus to the people I serve made the writing feel more natural.
My Approach:
I kept it simple, honest, and conversational. Instead of trying to sound impressive, I shared why I care about my work and how I can help. It felt more like a conversation than a resume, and that made all the difference.
If you don’t ‘believe’ me, you can trust Ted. Like him, your about page should be about building trust and creating comfort, not just listing achievements.
3. Embrace Quiet SEO
SEO (search engine optimization) used to sound like a scary, techy thing I didn’t want to deal with. But then I learned that it’s just about helping the right people find your site. And the best part? You don’t have to do everything all at once.
A Few Easy Wins I’ve Learned:
Alt text for images: This one surprised me! Adding simple descriptions for images not only helps with accessibility but also boosts SEO.
Clear page titles: Instead of vague titles like “Welcome,” I switched to descriptive ones like “Building your site shouldn’t feel like a solo mission”
Thoughtful keywords: I started using words that reflect what I actually care about, like “reflect who you are” or “build a value-based website:”
These small tweaks didn’t feel overwhelming, and they made my website feel more aligned with who I am.
Why This Matters
I’ve learned that you don’t need to be everywhere or do everything to make your work resonate. A quiet, thoughtful website is like a steady friend—it’s there, doing its job, without needing constant attention.
So, if the idea of “putting yourself out there” feels daunting this year, maybe your website can take some of the weight off your shoulders.
A Final Thought for the New Year
This year, I’m leaning into what feels sustainable and true. For me, that means focusing on connection, simplicity, and quiet progress. If that resonates with you, maybe it’s time to give your website a little love.
If you’re feeling stuck or don’t know where to start, I’d love to help. Whether it’s a quick tune-up or building something new, I’m here.
Here’s to a year of quiet wins and meaningful connections.
