“Dear Jay, I found your website on Google”.
That’s it. That’s the message I woke up to one morning and it cemented that having my own website was the right thing to do and it would pay for itself by placing me before potential clients, not just any potential clients but international potential clients. That one message covered my website hosting cost for 2022, at least. It then dawned on me, that quite a few creatives in Guyana do not have their own website, they rely heavily on social media which can be a blessing and a curse. Social media should be used as a tool and your website should be the main center of operations. Your social media posts should almost always point back to your website. I will list several reasons why Guyanese creatives need to get themselves a website.
Reach A Wider Audience
“Dear Jay, I found your website on Google”, that message came all the way from Switzerland. When looking for a particular service, serious clients use Google search before navigating to freelancer platforms or social media sites. If the potential customer can find what they are looking for on Google, then they have no reason to look elsewhere, don’t lose business by not having a website. Once you have developed your site, you need to put in work on its SEO. SEO is Search Engine Optimization which is employing a set of practices designed to improve the positioning of web pages in organic search results. With continuous and strategic SEO practices, clients will find you instead of you having to seek them out.
Showcase a convincing portfolio
Whether video, images, text or audio samples, your portfolio is your selling point as a creative, the best platform to show it off would be the platform that you own, your website. All your best work, categorized in one location. When clients visit your site, they see all the services you provide and at the same time may realize you can do a lot more for them. Your samples will showcase your skills, talents, and capabilities and this could spark an interest among your target clients. Your website will be your home base when it comes to digital marketing. Your own platform allows you to provide in-depth information on all the services you provide, and you have the ability to explain your services or packages in detail.
Stand out from the crowd
Most freelancers these days sell themselves in a generic manner. They lack personality, individuality, and uniqueness. A personal website shows dedication, it shows that you are serious about your craft, it differentiates you from the crowd of other creatives offering similar services. Having your own website makes you appear more professional, it allows you to showcase your creativity and create content in your own style and voice, this helps build an extremely strong brand as well. Your website will allow you to stand out in any freelance market.
Build Credibility and Trust
Tapping into the freelance world can be extremely tough in the beginning, most times it depends on relationships and word of mouth. Having your own site gives potential clients a chance to learn more about who you are and they can put a face to your work. If you can show consistency, testimonials and recommendations you are more likely to be hired by clients. Having a website also shows potential clients that you take yourself seriously as a creative, freelancer or business. You can also showcase your expertise by writing informative blogs that may be useful to your target clients. The more relevant information you provide, the more people will know you’re a true expert in your niche.
Earn even more money
This takes a bit more work, but you can use your website to make even more money, especially if you have a strong presence and put in continuous work to establish yourself as an expert in your field. Most of the opportunities for making more money from your site will be heavily based on blogging, blogging can be a lucrative side hustle if done correctly. Some ways you can make money from blogging are affiliate marketing, sponsored blog posts, and even e-commerce.
Ultimately, a fully functional, accessible and optimised website will attract more business. More business, more money. These are just a few benefits of having your own site as a freelancer/creative. Your website will play a vital role in accomplishing the kind of success you want to achieve, see it as an investment with future returns that will exceed your expectations.
Contact me to discuss how we can get your website up and published as soon as possible.
