How to Optimize Your Website in 6 Steps to Set Yourself Up for an Awesome Q4
Q4 officially starts on October 1st. And as I write this, it’s July 12th — right in the middle of a heatwave.
It might seem like overkill to start thinking about marketing yourself during the last (and often make-or-break-it) quarter of the year now, but my recent Instagram Live conversation with marketing pro Monica Huffman, @monicahoffmanmarketing, was packed with insightful tips for small business owners and entrepreneurs. Now is the perfect time to start putting those ideas in place.
Since I’ve been collaborating with Monica for my own business, I knew her gems would help so many others, too. During our chat, I also shared a few tips on getting your photos in order.
Tip #1. Review your customer journey.
Go through your site with fresh eyes — even better, ask a friend or colleague who doesn’t know your site to click through it. Look for broken links. Does the flow make sense? Is anything clunky, confusing, or repetitive? Is the call to action super clear?
Have someone you trust navigate your site and notice what they’re drawn to. You want the experience to feel seamless — like they’re being gently guided toward the action you want them to take.
Tip #2. Testimonials
Brainstorm a list of the real objections people have to your offer — not just price. Take a look at the language your clients are using to describe their experience with you and identify common threads. Then, make sure your testimonials (or even blog posts, FAQs, or Reels) speak directly to those doubts. This is about using social proof as a trust builder.
Tip #3. Back to basics
Check in on your strategy: Are you clear on who you’re targeting, your unique positioning, and the problem you solve? When your marketing tries to speak to everyone, you’re really not connecting with anyone.
People buy to solve problems. And if your website isn’t making that obvious within seconds, you’re leaving money — and connection — on the table.
Tip #4. Have a plan
Set your goals for Q4 now. What are your priorities? What are you saying yes to — and what are you saying no to?
We’ve got Small Business Saturday, Giving TuesdayHalloween, Black Friday, Thanksgiving and Christmas coming up to close out the year. Are you planning Black Friday specials? Or will you resist slashing prices and do something different this year? Now is the time to start thinking about it.
Tip #5. Reassess your current photos
Do your photos reflect who you are now? Or are they pre-pre-pre-pandemic?
Are you showing yourself in action? Do your images reflect your personality so potential clients can get a sense of what it’s like to work with you? Are your images cohesive, or a mishmash of photos from different eras?
Tip 6: Booking a Brand Mini Slot.
This is a great way to get your brand visuals dialled in for Q4. It’s a shorter amount of time and a less expensive commitment that delivers the same quality of images as a custom session. I have a few slots left for July 17th, or join my waiting list for the next one. https://www.margotdaley.com/brand-mini-session
📺 Catch the replay and full conversation of our Live here:
https://www.instagram.com/p/DL-Ri_pA1zx/
Want More Marketing & Photography Advice?
Ready to go deeper with your marketing? Reach out to Monica for a free discovery call to see how she can help you dial in your strategy:
@monicahoffmanmarketing
monicahuffmanmarketing.com
If you’re ready to have a conversation about your current photos and online image, book a no-obligation 20-minute call with me about your brand and how I can help.
