How a Website & Branding Can Change Your Small Business

1. A 24/7 Portfolio

A website serves as an exclusive platform to display your creative vision without the limitations imposed by social media platforms.

Unlike social media, a website allows for custom layouts, personalized branding, & an uninterrupted focus on your work. Ashlyn Carter leveraged Showit to showcase her copywriting projects, educational resources, & client testimonials in an engaging, comprehensive portfolio.

Yeahhhhh, Elaborate Daydreams loves designing with the builder platform. The Showit site emphasizes that it “gives you the power to make whatever you imagine,” & we love having that control.

2. It’s Ready at Your Fingertips

With a digital presence, your work is accessible at any time & from any location.

80% of consumers use a smartphone to search the internet (Pew Research Center), so you can show off your portfolio or services on any device at at any time.

3. It Reaches Further

A well-optimized website helps you reach a broader audience. By implementing strategic SEO and digital marketing practices, you can connect with more potential clients who are actively searching for services like yours.

Maybe it’s time to explore offering educational resources or training programs within your industry?

Northfolk, a duo of Showit designers, sells amazing website templates (as a Northfolk Vault Partner, I fervently believe this) & pivoted their focus to also mentor other designers in running a successful business with Revolving Revenue.

4. A Cohesive Message & Aesthetic Builds Trust & Recognition

With a digital presence, your work is accessible at any time & from any location.

80% of consumers use a smartphone to search the internet (Pew Research Center), so you can show off your portfolio or services on any device at at any time.

5. Deeper Insights from Audience Behavior

Web analytics tools (Ex: the ever-popular Google Analytics) offers valuable insights into audience behavior, preferences, & engagement. The data-driven approach allows you to tailor your content & strategies to resonate with your audience.

80% of consumers use a smartphone to search the internet (Pew Research Center), so you can show off your portfolio or services on any device at at any time.

6. Streamlined Booking & Onboarding

Simplify the process for clients (& yourself!) to automate booking services or making inquiries. Photographers can book clients & onboard them with ease after  integrating their booking system on their website.

If you don’t have a CRM set up, I highly recommend Moxie*. I love having control of the content with a drag & drop setup, & find their workflows & support awesome. I’ve tried HoneyBook, & decided that Moxie is the best fit for what I want long-term. I’ll have to do a focused blog post about it sometime.

Our Personal Recommendation? Moxie

Every once in a while, the stars align, & you find an app that streamlines your workflow. I was thrilled to find Moxie to replace most of my freelance-related apps. I’m using it to run my entire business, and the customer support is killer, & best of all? $20/mo for all the features I listed below.

Moxie Features I love:

Check ’em out

• Client Management: Keep all client information in one place, streamline onboarding, and maintain transparent communication through custom client portals
  
• Project Management: Organize projects with high-level deliverables and granular tasks. Manage deadlines, files, and notes all in one centralized location to enhance productivity
  
• Accounting: Simplify bookkeeping by tracking expenses, generating profit and loss reports, and integrating with tools like QuickBooks. Keep your finances in check effortlessly
  
• Proposals & Contracts: Create custom proposals and contracts with ease. Use templates, add legal terms, and transform proposals into signed contracts to kick off new projects
  
• Scheduling Meetings: Eliminate back-and-forth emails with an integrated meeting scheduler. Clients can easily book meetings based on your availability
  
• Calendar Tracking: Sync all your schedules in one place. Manage deadlines, meetings, and project timelines with a comprehensive calendar view
  
• Invoicing: Create and send invoices, track billable
  hours, and manage payments seamlessly. Use automated reminders to ensure timely payments

• Time Tracking: Track your time by project or task, allowing for precise billing and productivity analysis. Adjust pricing and services based on detailed time reports
  
• Collaboration: Invite team members or freelancers to collaborate on projects. Set permissions and keep everyone aligned with assigned tasks and shared progress updates
  
• Sales Pipeline: Manage leads and prospects with a customized sales pipeline. Automate follow-ups and client onboarding to convert prospects into paying clients efficiently
  
• Client Portal: Provide clients with a customized portal where they can track project progress, approve deliverables, and make payments, ensuring a smooth client experience
  
• Communicator: Consolidate all client communications in one place. Emails, calls, and messages are organized for easy tracking and follow-up
  
• Forms: Use embedded forms to capture leads, gather client information, and streamline the discovery phase of new projects

7. It Expands as Your Business Grows

Your website can grow & evolve alongside your brand. What starts as a simple site to build credibility can progressively add features (ex: blogs, e-commerce capabilities, services integration) to scale your workflow for welcoming new customers & offers.

8. A Cut Above the Rest

A unique, well-designed website can distinguish your brand in a competitive market. Incorporating innovative features & a user-friendly interface can make a significant impact, attracting and retaining customers.

Maybe this will put it into perspective: Who is more likely to book (repeat!) customers? A service provider who has a Facebook page barely completed, or a business owner who offers solid information at any given time, along with the capability of booking without needing to do a hard pitch first?

9. Social Media Integration

Hooking up your website & social media is the ultimate power couple. Drive traffic, foster stronger connections with your audience, & amplify your online presence with this duo.

10. Also—Did You Realize? It’s Usually Tax-Deductible

Investing in your business’s branding and website isn’t just a smart move for growth—it can also be financially savvy. Many expenses related to website development and branding are tax-deductible, potentially saving you money when tax season rolls around. By leveraging these deductions, you can reduce your taxable income and keep more of your hard-earned profits. Always consult with a tax professional to understand how you can maximize these benefits for your specific situation.

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A well-crafted website and cohesive branding can transform your small business from just another name in the crowd to a memorable and trusted brand. The advantages are clear: 24/7 accessibility, enhanced reach, streamlined operations, and a professional image that builds trust and credibility. By leveraging these tools, you can connect with your audience on a deeper level, turning visitors into loyal clients.

Ready to elevate your business? Dive into the world of strategic branding and website design with Elaborate Daydreams. Let’s make your brand unforgettable.