23 Jul Want to Test Drive a Business Idea? Start with a One Page Website
So many people are re-evaluating their lives during this pandemic – especially around work/jobs/careers. If you’ve been tossing around a new business idea, a great way to test the concept is with a one page website.
Why? Because you have nothing to hide behind.
A one page website forces you to hone your concept
A one page website isn’t Pinterest. It can’t be an endless scroll of images and copy, especially when viewed on a mobile device.
Your design must be clean, and your copy must be short and on-point.
Easy enough, right? Nope.
“If I had more time, I would have written a shorter letter.” – Blaise Pascale, French mathematician and philosopher
I love that quote, because it elegantly sums up how difficult it is to use fewer words. When you’re trying to explain your business – the what, how and why – it’s easy to ramble on. There’s no room for rambling on a one page website.
Another reason you should test-drive your concept with a one page website: It’s not a huge investment of time or money. You can get it up and in front of your potential clients in no time.
There are plenty of DIY website platforms out there. Pick a theme you like, customize it with your words and images, and start getting feedback.
How to organize the content
Introduction
At the very top of the website, state what you do – but make it about your client. To do that, frame it as how you help your ideal client solve their biggest challenge. And keep it to one sentence or phrase.
Now that you have planted your stake in the sand, go ahead and expand on what you do and how you’re different. Keep it to a short paragraph.
Boom – you just got my attention.
Well, you got my attention as long as you didn’t use any big words, jargon, clichés or business speak. If a fifth grader can’t understand what you just wrote, start over.
Services and products
Again, you’re going to keep your copy super tight and focused on your client. What are your offerings, and how do they benefit your ideal client? What challenges do you solve? How do you make your clients’ lives easier?
If you’re selling a product, leave out a detailed list of product features unless they are main selling points. Because you’re just testing the concept, no need to set up shopping yet.
About
This is not where you plop your resume or CV. You just need a paragraph about why you’re an expert in this field. Include your accomplishments for added credibility, and a link to your LinkedIn profile (just in case people want to learn more about you).
Contact
Don’t pop your email on your one page website, or bots will scrape it and give your email spam filters a workout. Simply include a basic contact form with a little context. Why should people contact you?
That’s it! Setting up a one page website is super easy. Writing the content is hard – but I know you can do it.
Image by Kevin Bhagat via Unsplash
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