Website design
Website design
I design websites using the WordPress platform. 27% of the internet is run on WordPress, so it’s a tried and tested platform offering flexible SEO friendly design and versatile functional abilities.
WordPress also gives you the ability to make your own updates, something I actively support and encourage. And because it is such a widely used platform, there are lots of options for future updates and maintenance.
My website design packages include all the written copy.
Contact me and ask for a quote.
BUT…
…and it’s a big but. Before we get down to designing anything, we need to talk about content.
The words on your website (the copy) is far more important than any design you have in mind. People are obsessed with design and branding, but don’t give nearly enough thought to what their site is saying and how it says it.
How you help people, and how people can buy from you are more important than what your website looks like. Good design is wasted if the site gives out the wrong message.
Why use Neil Hickson Digital Marketing Services to build your website?
The world is online, so if you are serious about your business, you’ll need a website.
You can build your own site using something like Wix or Squarespace. You’ll have to design the site yourself. Such providers have templates, and if you spend a lot of time, you could end up with something that looks good.
You still have to write the content though. Now a fact that most people either ignore or simply don’t understand, words are the most important part of your website. The words and the message they contain make the difference between an effective selling tool and a piece of online garbage that nobody sees and which doesn’t sell your products or services.
So, what are the alternatives if you want someone to build you a website?
There are some great web design companies out there who will design you a beautiful looking website, but you have to write all the words yourself. Other companies can build you a cheap website; you’ll have to write the words for that too.
Then there are agencies. They’ll build you a fantastic looking website and usually sub-contract the words to a professional copywriter. But that’s expensive because they usually have fancy offices and lots more people to pay.
Then there’s me; Neil Hickson Digital Marketing Services.
My primary skill is as a copywriter. What does that mean? Well, I’m a writer who’s trained to persuade and sell through words. It’s an acquired skill, and I’ve spent many hours of training to learn how to do it. You won’t have this knowledge when you write the copy for your website. Most small businesses don’t understand this.
If you’re looking at web design companies, most have a strong emphasis on design. When you are looking at websites, that’s what catches your eye. Don’t misunderstand me. Good design is essential; it says a lot about you and your business.
But, design alone doesn’t:
- Inspire people to purchase your products and services.
- Join your organisation.
- Buy tickets to your next gig.
- Book a table in your restaurant.
- Donate to your charity.
- Whatever else you need people to do with or for your organisation.
Words make things happen. Words persuade, and words sell.
Here’s the thing, I design great looking websites. The difference is, I start with words. So with me, you get a well-designed website that also performs well. Not only does it look good, representing your brand as it should, but I also design it with a purpose, and that purpose is to sell your product or service.
I write copy for organisations that want to sell things or make things happen. I don’t do this in an aggressive or ‘cheesy’ way. My writing is friendly, upbeat and conversational. I create and write websites that perform well and achieve their owner’s objectives. I spend time researching my client’s audience, finding out their likes and aspirations. I learn their language.
I start with two questions:
- Who do you want to come to your website?
- What do you want them to do when they get there?
I build everything around those simple objectives. As a result, you end up with a website that’s more likely to land the searches that you want from Google and convert them into members, followers, or customers.
Finally, I make sure the design is functional so users can find what they are looking for and quickly achieve what they need to accomplish when they visit the site. Everything is where it needs to be, and I test and monitor the results.
So, that’s why I’m more expensive than cheap website designers, but not as expensive as an agency. Somewhere in the middle, for businesses and organisations that want great results, but don’t want to spend a fortune.
Get in contact if you would like to discuss your needs.
Some examples
Here are some examples of websites I have built, or given a makeover, and written. Please note, because WordPress gives the power to the user to change content, these sites may not be how I left them when they were first built.
