Our websites are probably the most valuable marketing tools that we as stagers have in our arsenal. The place to showcase our portfolio, design style, service information, testimonials, etc. Most important are those Before and After photos!!!
Creating your website, it's look, and content can also be one of the biggest challenges, especially for a new stager trying to start their business. How do you present something when you haven't had many clients - and how do you get clients if you don't have anything to present?
This is a photo of a room in our home right after we moved in that went on the first version of our website
I've seen many blogs about whether or not to use stock photos. I am always opposed to using someone else's work or photos on your site - even for accent images. There are some great blogs about taking close up pictures of your own staging to use for those images - don't only focus on your wide room shots. When we first started our business we used pictures of our home, our friends and families homes, until we finally had a collection of before and after pictures of homes we staged for clients.
This is a photo of a family members bedroom that was also on the first version of our website
The presentation of your text is also pivotal as it speaks on your behalf. It can take weeks to craft just the right phrasing and you'll find that it continues to evolve as the market changes and your company grows.
Needless to say, we were shocked when we discovered that someone from across the country had not only used our copyrighted photos, but lifted the text directly from our website and replaced our company name with theirs!
Fortunately I crafted a cease and desist letter that was worded strongly enough that their website was pulled off-line immediately. I actually just checked again, now one year later, and the site is still 'under construction'! I'd hate to see that invoice!
How did we discover this? I am a sucker for numbers and stats, so I check our website statistics quite often. I noticed that we had numerous referrals and hits from a particular 'design' website that I hadn't heard of. Upon clicking on it - everything from our site was there. I think we were quite fortunate to have found it, and I've kept my eyes peeled since then.
Before & After photo from our very first staging job - an actual paying client!!!
While creating your first site may seem like a daunting task, it is definitely within your reach. If you can't build one on your own, find someone who can help you, it's really not too hard. You probably have a family member or friend who is very familiar with designing websites and you just don't know it.
Be original - Be creative - Be personal
Use your own Photos - Use your own Words - Use your own Personality
Ultimately that is what will sell you and give you the credibility and success you desire and deserve!
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