Why a Website is Essential for Controlling Your Brand as a Course Creator

You’ve carefully crafted an online presence. You’ve built a solid following on a variety of social media platforms. You have countless amazing posts related to your niche. Not to mention, you’ve probably been helping followers (and maybe clients!) left and right because they LOVE what you do.

But wait - how do you make sure all of your followers see your valuable content? How do you bring those followers deeper into your brand’s world? What if one of those social media platforms gets completely shut down and you have no way to reach your followers anymore?

Sorry, too soon for that one?

I’m just going to give it to you straight - you need a website. As a course creator, online coach, service-based online entrepreneur, or anyone who regularly makes any type of content and wants to grow their audience and income, you need a website.

In this blog post, we will explore how having a website gives you maximal control over your brand and ultimately, your influence. We’re going to chat about:

1. Freedom from the algorithm
2. Diverse content formats
3. Creative control over the design and aesthetic
4. Tailored experience

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Freedom from the algorithm

Let’s start off with one of the most important ways your website gives you control over your brand: You are no longer at the mercy of another platform’s algorithm. Can you just take a moment to imagine that??

Imagine you’ve just worked on a piece of content for a couple of hours: coming up with your idea, writing a script, crafting the perfect Call to Action, getting ready, filming, taking photos, editing, whatever is involved, etc. You finalize your post, link it on your website, and send it directly to each and every one of your subscribers via email along with your monthly newsletter. Now sit back and rest assured that your entire audience has the opportunity to learn from each and every one of your pieces of content!

On the flip side, only posting your content to social media platforms gives only a portion of your audience (those chosen with the algorithm) the chance to see your content. Not to mention - the lifetime of content on social media is horrifyingly low.

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Diverse content formats

While we are on the topic of creating content for your audience, let’s talk about how having a website gives you the flexibility to create a variety of content types.

Different social media platforms might only allow you to post photos or videos. While these types of content can provide immense value, launching a website gives you the freedom to create different types of content based on what your audience needs and where they are in their buyer journey.

Here are different types of content you can make with a website beyond photos and videos:

• Blog Posts
• Service Pages
• A Portfolio or Media Kit
• Testimonials and Case Studies
• Sign-up forms
• Quizzes and Polls
• Resource Libraries
• An E-commerce Store
• Online Events/Webinars
• Event Sign-ups

A diverse array of content types gives you more opportunity to tap into the power of SEO and potentially be found by more adoring fans (read: paying customers)!

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Creative control over the design and aesthetic

This is my favorite reason to have a website, but I’m biased because I’m a web designer. Having your own website gives you full control over the design and aesthetic.

Your website is tailored to reflect your brand in its entirety. Everything you see on the website is in your brand’s colors and fonts, and displays your imagery and overall vibe.

I design and develop websites with a platform called Webflow, which offers fine-tuned design customization that can’t be found on other no-code website building platforms. This gives me the freedom to imagine and design to my little heart’s desire (and my clients’ wildest website dreams)!

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Tailored experience 

When someone is a part of your email list or visits your website, they have entered your brand’s world. This is the place you can give your audience a unique and immersive experience unlike any other brand.

Your website contains content that you want your audience to consume - without the distraction of other people’s content, ads, comments from their aunt, etc. When someone is reading something like your newsletter or blog post, they are only hearing your message.

Having your own website gives you the opportunity to invite your audience to dive deeper, consume more of your high-quality content, and ultimately purchase your course, join your community, etc. Aka: become a super-fan.

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Your website can exponentially boost your audience engagement by giving them more ways to consume and engage with your brand.

You are no longer battling the algorithm, fighting for the chance that your followers actually see your content. You can now create a diverse collection of content types, tailored to what your audience wants and needs. Your audience’s experience is visually pleasing and entirely on-brand. Lastly, a website allows your audience to be brought into your world, without distractions and focusing on your message only.

Now that we know a website offers immense control over our brand, what next? My suggestion: dive deep into learning about websites and once you’re ready, start looking for a web designer that suits your specific needs.

I’ve created a checklist that covers all the things you need to get in order before creating your website. After completing the checklist, you will be ready to either start working with a web designer or begin designing your own website.

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If you are looking for a website designer, I’d be so happy to learn more about your business and your goals for growth. Check out my portfolio page to view my past work. My services page gives an overview of each of my packages where you can choose the one that suits exactly what you’re looking for!

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Want to keep reading? Here are more posts related to this same topic:

Why Every Course Creator Needs a Website: Your Ultimate Content Hub

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