This is a recap from my live Workshop Kick Ass Solo Websites.
Having a top-notch website is non-negotiable—especially for solopreneurs. When you are designing and developing your website for a Solo practice different rules apple from that of a brand with many employees. You have the advantage of personalizing your brand with a person - you!
During our recent workshop, we explored how to build impactful HubSpot sites that stand out. If you're ready to level up your web presence, here are 10 actionable insights.
1. Start with a Personal Story
One of the best ways to humanize your website is by sharing your personal story. Whether it’s on the homepage or your “About” section, let visitors know who you are. Check out how Ed Marsh of Consilium Global Business Advisors highlights his background.
His story, from Army infantry service to industrial sales, creates a connection from the get-go.
2. Feature Visuals
As a solopreneur, don’t hide behind your brand. Show your face! Visuals help build trust. Carol Mahoney's site does this perfectly with professional photography.
You’ll see how her portrait is prominently placed, enhancing credibility and personal branding. This same principle works seamlessly for HubSpot users—people want to connect with a real human.
3. Use Direct Communication
Having clear contact methods is crucial. Whether it’s a phone number, email, or booking link, make it easy for clients to reach you. Ed Marsh again shines with direct communication links on his site .
You can also give your clients direct access to your calendar using HubSpot’s calendar integration, which makes it simple for prospects to book time directly with you.
4. Embrace Video Content
If you're not using video yet, it's time to start. Video content is becoming more vital for engagement, and HubSpot now integrates video blogging into its CMS suite.
Start with simple videos like testimonials, product demos, or even behind-the-scenes looks at your business to drive engagement. When you get a few recordings under your belt start adding recordings to your workshops and start a podcast. Be careful about the time you are spending vs. your expectations, understanding that you are building an audience over time. Podcasts are also an effective way to build up authority as subject expert.
5. Incorporate Client Testimonials
Testimonials are powerful trust builders. John Convic highlights his 1,000+ Google reviews, spreading them across his site for maximum impact.
If you’ve had glowing feedback, showcase it! With HubSpot, you can easily implement testimonial sliders or quote blocks.
6. Add Interactive Tools
Interactive elements like calculators or quizzes can significantly enhance engagement. For instance, my website estimator was instrumental in generating business.
Tools like these not only provide value to your visitors but also increase time spent on your site, leading to higher conversions. HubSpot’s form and workflow tools can support interactive features tailored to your audience.
7. Maintain a Minimalistic Design
Minimalistic designs don’t just look great—they also improve usability. Ed Marsh’s site is clean, easy to navigate, and optimized for mobile use.
HubSpot's themes and modules allow you to craft minimalistic, user-friendly sites without incurring coding overhead and effort.
8. Showcase Solo Achievements
Whether it’s a podcast, book, or certifications, let your accomplishments shine. Carol Mahoney uses her book as a prominent feature on her site, and it helps establish her as an authority. Visitors immediately recognize her expertise and credibility, which is crucial for building trust, especially in a competitive digital landscape.
Additionally, Carol has strategically made use of logos for her affiliations and certifications, which not only validate her experience but also create a sense of prestige. Featuring recognizable brands and organizations lends instant credibility to her personal brand. Whether you have certifications from HubSpot, industry awards, or memberships with professional organizations, these logos can speak volumes to potential clients, enhancing your authority in your field.
9. Offer Membership or Event Content
Adding value through free or paid events is a great way to connect with your audience. I’ve built custom event pages using HubDB within HubSpot, which has been instrumental in driving new business and increasing revenue. HubDB allows for dynamic content management, making it easier to create, update, and showcase events in a visually appealing and organized manner. This seamless setup not only helps manage event details but also allows attendees to quickly sign up, view schedules, and access relevant information.
By leveraging HubDB for your event pages, you can replicate this success by hosting webinars or workshops tailored to your audience's needs. The flexibility of HubSpot’s platform combined with the power of HubDB makes it simple to keep your event pages up-to-date while delivering a professional and engaging experience.
10. Develop a Detailed FAQ Section
FAQs are invaluable for addressing common client concerns before they even arise. Both John Kongsvik and I place FAQs strategically on our websites to dispel common myths and provide clarity.
HubSpot’s accordion modules make it easy to integrate FAQ sections that keep your visitors informed and ready to take the next step.
These are just a few of the valuable strategies covered in our workshop. Each point is designed to help you build a more engaging, functional, and high-converting HubSpot website. Need help with your HubSpot site? Book a one-on-one with me, and let's make your vision a reality.