Your website is something that will always be a work in progress for your Virtual Assistant business. But it doesn’t have to stop you from starting your business!
For many VAs starting out, not having a website can be a big place to get stuck – something that stops you from getting started, or from growing.
‘I have to finish my website first.’
If I had a dollar for every time someone told me this, I would be a rich woman!
You actually don’t have to finish it to put yourself out there. A work in progress is never really done anyway.
Your website will go through a lot of different stages as your business starts and grows. And the pieces of your website will change as that growth takes place.
Let’s look at the basic things to include, that will actually help your clients decide to work with you (or not, if they are not there!)
1. Your Photo and Bio
The first thing people will want to see about you is that you are a real person. Working virtually with someone that you pay but may never meet can sometimes be daunting for clients. So you need to show them that you are a person. Be sure to add your headshot, and a short blurb about your experience. Providing an introductory video can also be helpful – so clients can see you and hear from you!
2. Rates
Many VAs wonder whether they should post their rates on their website. The choice is a personal one. Some clients like to see rates so they can decide whether they can afford someone before even speaking with them. But a lot of clients don’t realize that something that takes them 10 hours will only take a VA half that (or less) because it’s what we know how to do – so they might do their own math and place you out of their budget by seeing your rates. Posting your rates is your decision – but if you do it, be sure that things are clear and that a client will understand what you will do for them.
3. Services
The same goes for your services – if you post a laundry list of services, your clients may not see the forest for the trees. An exhaustive list of services means that you do a lot of things, but don’t specialize in something in particular. A client wants to know that you are the best person to help them with their specific issue. Be careful of watering down your list and losing prospective clients. Highlight your best services on your site so that clients know you are the expert to help them.
4. Blog
As you start to do your marketing, a blog will be an important piece of your website. You should host your blog on your actual website, because as you are building content and sharing it around your social media networks, you will be sending traffic to your website, which the Internet gods love. Write about topics that are interesting to your clients – so they will learn more about your expertise, and want to hire you. If you are going to commit to writing a blog, make sure you are adding to it consistently.
5. Testimonials
Clients love to know that you have helped other people – and they want to hear that from the clients themselves. Some prospects will ask you for references (I always thought this was fine!), but you can help things along by adding testimonials to your website. When you work with someone, ask them to provide you with a testimonial detailing how great it is to work with you. Use them on your website and in your other marketing too!
Don’t let having your website ‘done’ stop you from marketing your business. Get the pertinent bits up quickly and then start reaching out to clients. You can always update your website (and in fact, you will, probably more often than you thought!).
Get it live, and get moving!
For my other tips on how to get your VA business started, pick up my 8 Steps to Start Your VA Business checklist here. You’ll see that your website is only a small part of getting started (and it’s definitely not the first step!)