Episode 280: 8 Considerations To Make Your Website A Selling Machine

What do you think pet parents want to see when they go to your website? Do they want to feel like they are being sold? Talked at? Or trying to figure out how they might fit INTO your company? Do you think they might feel overwhelmed, not knowing if you are the right fit for skill or money? All of these are probably true and how you present yourself on your website will make or break your bounce rate. (Bounce rate: How long someone stays on your site until the "bounce" off going to look elsewhere to solve their problem) Recently I got a DM from someone who was going to be updating their website asking, "So what's important on a website these days??" Truth is, there is a lot to consider. Unfortunately, most business owners are so close to their business, it is often hard to get the 30K view and put themselves in their potential client's shoes... Biggest Takeaways If your website is the first thing potential clients are seeing about you, then you need to draw them in.  You need to make them say, "Yes, I want to work with them!" I started off doing this as a 7 point podcast but by the time I got to the end, it turned into 8. I was on a roll. Make it about THEM not about you. Keep it simple like a 1st grader is reading your website. Pay attention to the navigation. Don't make them think ...and there are a lot more. Listen to learn more! Recommendations: I highly recommend Erika and her team at Barketing Blog for a website. I have been recommending her for years and she has done countless client websites. They are very happy. You can't go wrong. Great price too! Need a group of knowledgeable people to bounce your website copy of design off of? Heck! You want three months of training dedicated to this topic? Join us in the best community in the pet industry, the Jump Mastermind!  Want to make sure that once your website is popping, your social media also gives the same feel for your brand? Look no further than the leading industry marketing agency, Better Marketing with Bella where we ensure that your colors, fonts, logos, copy, and creativity are all on point! Maybe you are a DIY person? You can learn everything that you should have on your website here in my one hour class that comes with a workbook and on audio. Enjoy! Let's Connect Did you enjoy the show? We would love it if you subscribed today and left us a 5-star review! Click this link – Bella In Your Business Click on the ‘Subscribe’ button below the artwork Go to the ‘Ratings and Reviews’ section Click on ‘Write a Review’' Are You New Here? Welcome, I am so glad you are here. If you are a dog walker, dog sitter, cat sitter, doggy daycare, or kennel owner, then you found the right place. Jump Consulting is the one place on the internet to get all the resources you need for your pet care business. Can I give you some freebies to generate sales and increase revenues for your business? Grab your freebies below. Are you starting out? Been in business for less than two years? Get your startup resources here. Do you own an established pet care business and you want to take it to the next level.? Get Your builder resources here. Transcript: This is episode 280 of Bella in Your Business. Hi there, I’m Bella Vasta from Jump Consulting. You might know me from CBS, NBC, Fox, Huffington Post, Entrepreneur, or maybe you’ve seen me speak on stage or read my book The Four Dogs That Every Business Owner Needs. In any case, get ready because you’re about to get your hashtag Bella Butt Kickin’ in this next episode of Bella in Your Business. So what do you say? Let’s get ready and jump! Welcome everybody to another episode of Bella in Your Business. My name is Bella Vasta, your host. As we are coming to a conclusion of the theme we’ve been talking about, which is sales, I got something in my inbox just yesterday that inspired this podcast. I thought, all right, let’s go. The question was, what’s important to have on my website these days? This person was about to redo their website, and of course, I sent them on over to my girl Erica. If you go to jumpconsulting.net/marketing, you’ll find this amazing designer who helps so many pet sitting and dog walking clients of mine. She’s been doing it for years—since 2017, maybe—and she’s fantastic. She’ll take really great care of you. But it got me thinking about your website. As you know, I see a lot of websites from all around the world. I always try to cyber-stalk you guys a little bit before we get on the phone to see what you’re up to. And I’m more often than not disappointed that your website looks like everybody else’s. But you’re not like everybody else. You tell me you’re the best—you go above and beyond, you love pets like they’re your own, you’re professional, and you really care. But your website doesn’t show any of this. So today, we’re going to dive into seven important things to make your website better. I’ll make it quick and easy because I know you like listicles. But before we talk about them, let me first say this—I’m going to be blunt. Don’t do your own website. Unless you’re a web designer—like an actual professional—it’s not your job. And no, I’m not talking about GoDaddy or Wix because no, that’s not what professionals do. Professional companies don’t use Wix websites. You need a real professional website, and marketing is going to do that for you. When you’re ready for a new website, don’t contact Erica until you’ve got your ducks in a row and your head wrapped around this, because there are elements that will make or break your website. Someone will either go to your site and fall madly in love with you, signing up immediately—or they’ll bounce in seconds, thinking you look cheap, unprofessional, or confusing. If you’re a Jumper, and you are because you’re listening to this, I’m going to make sure that doesn’t happen to you. 1. Write from their perspective and use their words. We entrepreneurs often get caught up in our ego—talking about how great we are, what we do, and how we do it. But the truth is, no one really cares. They don’t care that you grew up on a farm or that you have ten dogs at home. They care about solving their problem. Maybe they need a dog walker or a pet sitter while they travel. Your website should immediately show that you understand their problem and can solve it. Use your clients’ actual words. You already get feedback through surveys, reviews, and journal entries. Pull phrases like, “I have peace of mind while I travel because I know you’ll be there,” or “I love how dependable you are.” If you don’t have enough feedback, send a short two-question survey and ask, “Why do you use us?” and “What do we add to your life?” Write your website copy from their perspective, not yours. Don’t just say, “We offer pet sitting, dog walking, and hiking.” Instead, say something like, “We help busy professionals who work long hours or travel frequently make sure their pets get the care and attention they deserve.” Make it relatable. 2. Simplify the navigation. You don’t need a 60-page website. Keep it simple. Decision fatigue is real—if visitors have to think too much about where to click, they’ll leave. Simple is better. Think of your site like something a third grader could navigate. Avoid dropdown menus with six more dropdowns. Most people will visit on mobile, so make it easy. 3. Understand the difference between top and bottom navigation. Your top navigation should have the basics—About, Services, Contact or Book Now, and Service Area. That’s it. Keep it simple. Your footer can include Employment, FAQs, or more detailed info. Don’t overwhelm visitors with too many links. For example, if someone has both a dog and a cat, don’t make them choose separate pages for each service. They’ll just leave. 4. Think of it like a picture book. Visuals matter. Don’t use poorly lit selfies or fill your site with stock photos. This is a personal service—clients want to see you. Hire a local photographer or take well-lit photos in portrait mode. Professional pictures (around $500) are worth every penny. Your website is your #1 sales tool—it must look professional and trustworthy. 5. Match your social media. Your website and your social media should look cohesive. The colors, fonts, and style should all match. Don’t have stock photos on your social and custom photos on your site—or vice versa. Your brand should feel unified everywhere. If you’re struggling with this, reach out. Better Marketing with Bella has been helping businesses since 2017 with exactly this—creating branded graphics, videos, and social media that align with your website. You can join the waitlist at jumpconsulting.net/waitlist. 6. Have a clear CTA (Call to Action). Your CTA should be consistent and on-brand. Don’t use “Book Now” on one page and “Call Us” on another. Keep it unified. Bonus points if it ties into your brand personality, like “Bark Here” or “Wag Your Tail to Get Started.” Every page should make visitors think, “So what? What do you want me to do next?” Whether it’s call, book, or sign up—make it clear and easy. And yes, phone calls work! Go back to episode 278 where I explained how simply answering the phone can add thousands of dollars to your business. 7. Use consistent lingo and personality. Your website language should reflect your unique voice. Don’t copy the generic lines from PSI or NAPPS. Speak the way you and your clients talk. For example, do you say “pet parents” or “pet owners”? Do you want your tone to be playful, warm, or professional? Own it. On my old company website, I had a fun quiz called “How to Know You’re a Bella’s Client.” It listed things like, “Your pet has more beds than you do,” or “You say hi to your pet before anyone else.” It broke the ice and helped visitors see themselves as clients before I even spoke to them. That’s what your lingo can do—make people feel like they belong. 8.