I'm Creating a DIY Website Course for Small Business Owners
Most business owners acknowledge the advantage of having a website. But having a website and having a website that helps your business are two different things. Having a site that is inadequate can be worse than having no web presence at all. It can make an otherwise professional operation look amateur and drives potential customers away.
If you want a site that's more than just a digital business card, it takes resources that many small businesses don't have, especially if they're just starting out.
- Small business owners need affordable website solutions that are also effective marketing tools.
- There are a lot of cheap DIY solutions out there that are not a good foundation for long term growth and success, and can even cost you more in the long run.
- Even with all the of money in the world, if you don't understand HOW to market your business online, your website will fail.
Understand the Basics Before You Invest Your Time and Money
There's nothing more frustrating than trying to accomplish something completely outside of your expertise, with no clear roadmap. And there are few things more overwhelming to decipher than the world of websites, design, development, code, and marketing.
People create entire careers out of any ONE of those disciplines so it's no wonder that business owners are overwhelmed trying to navigate the process while also building a business.
Websites That Work is a Blueprint for Effective Online Marketing
The full course is six weeks of pre-recorded, self-paced lessons that teach the foundation of successful online marketing. Students will learn how they can create a professional looking site with little or no coding.
The hardest part of a great website isn't actually the technology, it's figuring out exactly WHO you're trying to reach, HOW to reach them and WHAT TO SAY when they land on your site.
The six week course covers:
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Foundation: What is a domain? What is a web host? Why should you care?
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Discovery: Understanding your business, your customer, your market, and strategies to reach your potential customers
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Content: Understand how you will use content to convince your audience to buy, join, or donate.
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Technology: Learn the best tools and short cuts to use the WordPress platform to make a professional looking site without having to code.
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Marketing: Learn how to get visitors to your new site and make your website your hardest working employee.
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Launch!: Get your new creation onto the web. You'll get a 32 point check-list to make sure your launch is a success.
There will also be weekly coaching calls to help students understand new concepts and implement them.
Testing the Waters
Between November 2015 and January 2016, I ran a six week pilot program for this course with a small group of beta testers, using live webinars and weekly office hours. I'll use the feedback from this beta to make the course more useful so it solves the right problems for my students.
Noni Learned the Hard Way
Your Funding Dollars
Creating this much content is going to take time. With your help, I will focus on creating the course content and building out the learning management system and launch the new course by May 1st, 2016.
Your money will go towards:
- Development
- Design
- Equipment (camera, microphone)
- Software (webinar, automation platforms)
Why WordPress?
WordPress powers 25% of the Internet. It's a solid platform with a huge community around it and a ton of resources for people who are new to the platform.
Why Me?
I've been creating sites professionally with WordPress for four years. I've trained students and clients to use WordPress, as well as created documentation and screencasts to empower site owners to manage their own sites.
I've spoken at Wordcamp conferences about technology and business and spent six weeks mentoring students of diverse backgrounds and skill levels to become contributors to open source projects.
I've spent the past year studying with some of the best web professional mentors in the industry, like Troy Dean, Brent Weaver & Ryan Deiss.
I'm sick of watching small business owners struggle with their websites. Help me build a solution.
Other Ways You Can Help
If you're not able to contribute, please help by spreading the word and sharing this campaign with those who might benefit.
Thank you for your help!
