The BEST website platform for Leadership Coaches
Congratulations on completing your leadership coach training and practicum hours! You’ve shared your new venture on social media and updated your bio on LinkedIn. You’ve also informed your family and friends, encouraging them to refer you. But where are you directing them to connect with you? Is it your Facebook profile, business page, or just your Gmail address? I understand the hesitation to invest more money after spending so much on training, especially if you’re just starting out.
What if someone who’s unsure about hiring a coach hears about you and wants to learn more? Can your Facebook page provide them with detailed information about your past work, your training, and why you became a coach? If they like what they see, how will they contact you? If you’re not friends on Facebook, will you even see their message? And if you do, can you distinguish between a potential client and a spambot? What if they’re ready to book a discovery call? Will they find a link to do so?
Let’s face it, a website makes your coaching business real! It establishes your authority and allows you to build trust with potential clients without saying a word. It’s a platform to express your values and make a promise. While a scheduling link is useful, it doesn’t offer the same opportunity to connect deeply and alleviate the anxiety your clients might feel as they navigate their next steps.
Here’s the exciting news – a website does not have to be expensive or take months to build, no matter what your former boss’ son’s wife’s second cousin said.😉 That’s why I wholeheartedly believe that Squarespace provides the best website platform for leadership coaches. For under $400 per year, you can have a fully functional website (and domain!) that is easy to build and update as needed.
I have worked with many website platforms in the past, and I can honestly say that I actually ENJOY working in Squarespace. I love the customizability of all of it. If I don’t want a picture here, I move it there with a click and drag – no figuring out how many pixels to the left or right I want it to move and it still not look right on the screen, much less a mobile device. Plus, if I get a section just the way I want it, I can mark it as a favorite and use it on other pages on my website without having to recreate the entire thing! GAME CHANGER!
When I first started researching which website platform I wanted to use for Anchored Results, I spent no less than two weeks researching online, comparing all price points, talking to graphic designers and other solopreneurs on their favorites. Talk about a time suck! The funny thing was that I was already working in Squarespace for one coaching client and had built an entire website in Squarespace for another coach, and I still wanted to make sure I was making the best decision for my business. (Have you figured out that I identify as an Enneagram 1?!) But this was my business…I wanted it to be perfect for me and my needs. And that is exactly what Squarespace has provided. I have some other passions that I’m currently thinking through how to include as a part of Anchored Results, and I know that as I adapt and change, my website will be able to change with me.
I must admit, I still let fear of what others say get to me about my choice. I had one woman tell me I didn’t have a real website unless I used WordPress. I’ve heard all the stories – you won’t rank well with SEO; you won’t be able to customize it the way you want it to look; and all Squarespace websites look the same. But you know what I’ve learned since working in Squarespace? It has AMAZING SEO capabilities (complete with an AI tool that helps you make sure your site is SEO optimized); I have been able to customize everything I want to with little to no code writing; and all Squarespace sites DO NOT look the same. In fact, I’m amazed at the variety I see in all of them.
Another great feature of Squarespace is that it was built with the service industry in mind. While you can have an e-commerce store and integrated scheduling and invoicing, it’s not solely focused on e-commerce. In my experience, this has helped me understand the help articles more since I feel like they are writing it with service providers, like us, in mind. In the few instances when I couldn’t find what I was looking for in a help article, their customer support chat has always been able to answer my questions quickly.
So, are you asking why I’ve written a whole article about why I love Squarespace and its ease of use for you as a coach even though I’m a web designer for coaches? Because at the end of the day, I truly want you to be successful doing what you love to do. If you are a coach and you love the design process yourself and don’t need a website designer, I want to lead you to what works best for me and my clients. Will there be another opportunity for us to work together in the future? Maybe! And, as Oscar Wilde said, “The only thing to do with good advice is to pass it on. It is never of any use to oneself.”
In summary, having a professional online presence is crucial for connecting with potential clients. If you don't have a website yet, consider creating one with Squarespace. It's an affordable and user-friendly platform that can help you establish your coaching authority. If you need assistance getting started, feel free to reach out to me at leska@anchoredresults.com. And if designing a website isn't your thing but you want to share your story, I'm here to help you build your business. Let's make your coaching journey a success together!