Hi,

I sat up a website on Windows Live. The domain was free but I will upgrade to a company domain. This was my first attempt at building a site. I was told I should have my resume on my website???? The site link is http://lindagtaylor.web.officelive.com/home.aspx

Thank you for your opinon,
Linda Taylor

Hi Linda,

it would be nice to put in some paragraphs on the homepage, the text block is too long without breaks in it.

In "About Us" you write I and me and then us. You need to decide which one you want to choose, but you can't have both.

No indent under the mission statement as you haven't use any before. Just put it in line with the other text.

The layout is nice and clean, but so far the website lacks a bit "personality", but I'm sure you will change that soon.

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Heike Miller
www.heikemiller.com

Hi Heike,

Thank you for your assistance. I have made the suggestions you stated. But how do I add "personality" to the site?

I am very thankful for your help,
Linda Taylor

Hi Linda,

maybe add a picture of yourself and some more detail on the About Us page. You make a lot of promises on there, but it might need some details, such as what sort of jobs you had before or what your main skills/preferences are. It all depends on how much the potential client can "imagine" who you are, how well you will be doing their tasks, etc. You need the point of difference to other VAs that makes them think: she sounds great, I might send her an email to find out more.

Also your price comments: they seem very vague and not very clear. I know why you write it like that because us newbies want a client! But don't undersell yourself, otherwise it conveys the message that you might be cheap or "sensitive" to their bottomline, but they might think it's not first class. Even if you are reasonably priced, what does that mean? Is reasonable $5 (what many Indian VAs charge) or is it $15 or $25? You don't need to reveal an amount, but be more specific of your conditions. How will they pay, are there retainer options, when will they need to pay. Just briefly describe some options, you don't need to mention the whole payment contract, just some hints to let them know what to expect.

And the homepage is THE page to keep people wanting to look at the next pages, otherwise you will lose the visitor within seconds. It is vital to make them feel interested and wanting to find out more, not only with words, but also with visual aids, like some well chosen pictures or expressions or statements.

What's your brand identity? Have you thought about this? Who are you? What is different about your service? What sort of people do you want to attract? Small business owners can be a diverse bunch as well, some are highly sophisticated consultants who expect executive treatment and others are down to earth builders, plumbers, etc. Totally different lot of people and they will find different things appealing. Which lot do you want to come and get your services? Or do you mainly want women consultants or life coaches or authors to contact you? Or academics or not-for-profit organisations? You need to be aware of this to make your website look appealing to the audience you want to attract.

It's difficult stuff, I know that very well, especially when you are just starting out and don't really know who is out there requiring your services. I find that tricky, too, but we need to make a stand, form an opinion on who we want to mainly talk to and service.

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Heike Miller
www.heikemiller.com

Hi Linda- You've had a good start, there are just a number of things that you need to correct and then you'll be heading in the right direction.

Firstly, I'm glad that you'll be getting a business domain. You need to add more pages to your website and personalize your content as Heike said. Add more info about yourself, your experience on your About page. Your Services page is a little difficult to read, separate the benefits of a VA from your services.

The links on your footer should open on a new page, your goal should be to keep potential clients on your site and not direct them elsewhere. Why do you have the VA Directory on your website, are you planning on sending your PCs to other VAs? I'm sure that's not your intention.

In regards to your question about resumes, don't put one on your website. You are no longer an employee but a bonafide business owner. As you go along, you'll have some potential clients ask for a resume or bio, then you can send them one.

Also check out the SEO section on how to optmize your website for the search engines, in regards to pages titles, meta tags, keywords and more.

I would recommend that you read the threads in the review section and see what other VAs have done. All the best.

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Creative & Strategic Web Design Services
www.aivirtualsolutions.com

Hi Heike and Agnes,

Thank you both for your assistance. I have made some of the changes you suggested. About a photo of myself, The only one I have is on my profile at LinkedIn and Nethooks. It's not a web page photo profile yes.

The links on the footer opening in different pages I am working on that windows live does not offer the option.

I will continue updating it I really enjoy you help. Let me know if I can be of any help to you.

Regards,
Linda Taylor

Hello,

I got the domain name set to a business name (Here2assistU.web.officelive.c om). Once again thank you ladies.

Regards,
Linda Taylor

Why such a long name? I wouldn't be able to remember that.

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Heike Miller
www.heikemiller.com

Hi Heike,

The web site is from microsoft small business. The site is free. But you use thier .web.offiecelive.com. When I buy my domain it will be Here2assistU.org. Till then this is what we have.

Linda Taylor

Hi Linda,

I don't have much to add to what's already been said except that on your home page I would address the potential client and write to them by letting them know how you can solve the problem they need solving. Be specific about who you are helping and how working with you will benefit them. I would put the Virtual Assistant definition on another page.

I also think you should have a Blog to add articles and other bits of information. This will help you keep your website content fresh and attractive to search engine spiders.

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Shari Sultana
Online Business Manager (marketing for retail ecommerce)

Originally Posted by Linda Taylor

Hi Heike, The web site is from microsoft small business. The site is free. But you use thier .web.offiecelive.com. When I buy my domain it will be Here2assistU.org. Till then this is what we have. Linda Taylor

Linda -

You can register your domain name for free right through OfficeLive AND also have that domain show up in the address bar.

Register your domain through them if you haven't already. Then you can very easily switch the url in the web address bar to say (yourdomainname).com in Microsoft Office. Sign into Office Live, and then click on ACCOUNT SETTINGS and then DOMAIN MANAGER. You should see two domain names listed, one being your business domain name. Click to make that one the PRIMARY domain, and now when people log onto your website they will see your domain name in the address bar instead of the office live one.

Hope that helps!

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Christie