For the first 12 years of my website design business, I operated using a traditional project model. Projects took place over several weeks (or sometimes months), and feedback and changes happened over an extended time. It wasn’t uncommon for there to be unexpected delays and shifting timelines throughout the process.

But then three years ago I switched to VIP Days, and all that changed. A VIP Day is a day where my focus is 100% on you and your project. I shut down my email and social media, remove distractions, and lock myself in my office, so that we can get your project done!

And my clients love it! It’s definitely a different way of doing things, so in case you’re new to VIP Days, let’s take a look at some of the questions I am asked most frequently.

How much can we really get done in a day?

Every VIP Day is different! Your VIP Day is a time set aside just for you, and my goal is to use that time to see you meet your goals. Examples of what can typically be done during one VIP Day may include things such as:

• a brand new 3-5 page site
• a sales page and funnel setup
• a punch list of all those changes you’ve been wanting
• a design refresh and theme change

If you’d like to see some real-life examples, check out my case studies!

What if my website needs more than that?

Some projects do need more than just one VIP Day. Let’s look at some potential scenarios.

If your website is more than five pages, includes an online store (that I am setting up for you), or includes a membership site (to be set up within WordPress), then you will need more than one day.

If you’d like us to dig deeper into additional items such as an email welcome sequence or other automations, SEO optimization (beyond basic setup), email address setup, etc., an additional day (or possibly a half day) may be needed.

I’m happy to chat with you about your project’s specific needs to determine what we can realistically accomplish in a day. (Schedule a free Discovery Call!) If necessary, you can book multiple VIP Days. Or you can start with one day to see how much we get done and then add on if needed. Some clients even plan to build their sites in stages if budget is a concern.

Do I have to be available all day long?

Most of your part will be accomplished during the pre-work phase. You will need to be ready throughout the day to review the work and give prompt feedback when needed though. Some of my clients are busy doing other things, but they are actively watching for messages from me so they can reply right away. You will need to be able to look at your website on a computer throughout the day, not just your phone.

I definitely recommend that you don’t schedule any meetings or appointments during your VIP Day if at all possible. If it’s a must, sometimes we can work around it, but it will affect how much we are able to accomplish.

So how much client pre-work is there?

Your pre-work tasks will include the following:

The VIP Day Workbook

This workbook will lead you through the process of giving me all the information necessary for me to build the website you want. You will give me your to-do list of what you want to accomplish during your VIP Day. Then you’ll share about your website goals, color and font style preferences, examples of websites you like and don’t like, and more.

The workbook also includes links for resources you may find helpful as you go through the pre-work.

Upload Content, Photos, and Brand Assets

You will need to submit all the content for your website at least one week prior to your VIP Day. This includes your logo and branding (unless I am designing a logo for you), images (unless you want me to find stock photos for you), and text content. If you have an existing WordPress site and want to use that same content, just let me know, as I can pull the content from the existing site.

I do provide recommendations for what pages most websites should have, as well as tips for what to include on each of those pages. However, if you want someone else to write the content for you, then Cynthia at Gratitude Copy can help! She writes high-converting copy for your website so your message is crystal clear and your audience is moved to take action! I have collaborated with Cynthia on various projects for years, and her work is impeccable.

The Kickoff Call

Once you have completed your pre-work, we will schedule a 45-minute kickoff call. This call ideally happens about 2-5 days before our intensive. This communication will ensure that we’re on the same page with expectations and will help us to make sure we’re using our time together most effectively. (If you don’t want to do a phone call, we can also do this communication via email.)

Can you tell me more about the VIP Day itself?

During the day itself, we will communicate via text chat, as this allows me to keep working and moving things along quickly to get as much done as possible. I typically use Google Chat, Slack, or Facebook Messenger on the day of the intensive. You can let me know which of these you feel most comfortable using, and we can make sure we are connected there before the VIP Day arrives. 

You don’t have to be glued to your computer all day, but I do ask that you make sure you are monitoring our chat feed with notifications turned on, whether it be from your computer or your phone.

That being said, when it’s time to take a first look at the site, it’s important that you do so from a computer, not a phone or tablet. Upon completion, your site will be fully mobile responsive, but I take care of those adjustments at the end, and initially the mobile version won’t look quite right. Therefore it’s best if you look at it from a computer.

Your VIP Day will run from 9:00am – 4:00pm ET. I’ll touch base with you first thing that morning and ask any initial questions I may have. Then I will dive right in to work, and for that first couple of hours there won’t be as much back and forth as I work on initial setup and design of the site, theme, etc. During that time, I will probably have a question here and there, and I’m available if you have any questions as well.

I’ll let you know when I’m ready for you to take a first look. (The exact time of this varies based on the particular project, but I”ll keep you posted!) From that point forward, there will be more communication back and forth as you give me feedback, request changes, etc. 

I hope this gives you a clear picture of the day, but if not, please don’t hesitate to ask for clarification! I want to make sure you feel confident heading into the day.

What if we can’t get everything on my list completed by the end of the day?

In the VIP Day Client Workbook, you will give me a list of items you want me to work on, ranked in the order of their importance to you. I will work my way down that list and get as much done as possible.

I have done enough VIP Days to be able to estimate the amount of time things take quite well. So I can give you a good idea of what is possible, or what might be too much, prior to the day.

Because you are booking me for the day, there isn’t a guaranteed set of deliverables. What you will receive is my undivided attention and focus to your project for that day. How much we can get done will depend on factors such as your completion of prep work and your prompt responses during the day. So it’s important to keep this in mind when you select the date for your VIP Day.

What do your clients have to say about their VIP Days?

Here are a few testimonials from VIP Day clients:

Can you tell me a bit more about VIP Days?

Of course! You can read more on my VIP Day page or reach out with your specific questions here.

I’m ready! Where do I sign up?

Great! You can book your day online right here. I can’t wait to get started!

The post Answering Your Questions about VIP Days appeared first on Erin Ulrich Creative.

Can you believe that Christmas is two months from today?

On December 19, I’ll be signing off for my annual end-of-year break. Taking this time off to spend the holidays with family gives me the opportunity to recharge and prepare for launching into a new year.

With that in mind, I always try to make the most of the fall work season. There are a variety of season-specific needs I typically see at this time of year. Here are a few examples:

Prepare your website for upcoming Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and holiday sales. If you sell books or products, or if you’re an influencer, the holiday season is so important. Clients often want to up their game when it comes to website design and preparations for this key sales season.

Launch a brand new website or online venture for 2026.  We can create a brand new online presence for you, so you’ll be ready to launch in the new year.

Give your existing site a facelift and/or tech upgrade to make sure you’re ready for all 2026 will bring.  If you want to redesign your current site to start the new year fresh, now is the time to get started! Because of the holidays, we need to get your site ready to go before Christmas for an early January launch.

Improve your email automations and funnels to better serve your subscribers.  If your email list is a mess and you’re not even sure what happens when someone subscribes, now is a great time to take a look and examine those process. We can set up a smooth automation flow so people are welcomed to the list and want to stick around!

Do any of these scenarios sound like you? Or do you have other work that needs to be done? You might need a VIP Half Day or even a full VIP Day to get things ready for the end of the year. (And don’t forget that this might qualify as a tax deduction for your business.)

Secure your VIP spot today! Spaces are limited. 

Can you tell me a bit more about VIP Days?

Of course! You can read more on my VIP Day page or reach out with your specific questions here.

I’m ready! Where do I sign up?

Great! You can book your day online right here. I can’t wait to get started!

The post Is Your Website Ready for the End of the Year? appeared first on Erin Ulrich Creative.

A significant portion of my clients are in the writing industry, whether they be authors, literary agents, or publishers themselves, and when you look at my portfolio, you’ll see many author websites. I have personal experience with writing and publishing as well, since my husband, Phil, and I have self-published a series of middle grade children’s books called The Growly Books. 

Over the years, I have talked with many writers in various stages of the publishing process. Whether they are just starting their writing journey, hoping to get a publishing contract, or a seasoned traditionally published author, they share one thing in common. They need a strong online presence that includes their own website.

Do I need a website if I’m just starting out?

The short answer is YES! Even if you don’t have a publishing deal yet, establishing a website can help you get that first contract.

There’s so much more to being an author than just the writing part. More often than not, publishers are looking for writers who have a platform. They want to know that you have a way to reach readers, and that you have an established core audience who will be interested in what you have to offer. If you plan to self-publish, you’ll need that core audience for your own marketing.

A website serves as your online business card.

Social media accounts are important too, but platforms come and go. Your website is real estate that you own. It acts as a business card, a space online where interested publishers and readers can find out who you are. A quality website presents you as a professional, qualified writer who has something important to offer.

A website displays your portfolio.

Your website also serves as a place to showcase your work. Have you already been published, whether it be a book or articles online? Your website can list (and link to) these accomplishments. If you don’t have anything published yet, writing blog posts (even just a couple a month) can help to establish your reputation as a skilled writer. You can include information about your work in progress, for example.

A website helps you build your email list.

As I mentioned before, social media platforms come and go. Your social reach does matter, but it can also be gone in the blink of an eye if your account gets hacked. Your email list is a direct line of communication to your readers. It’s a way you can keep them updated on your progress and eventually push sales as your publishing date draws near. And your email list is something that you control.

Your website serves as a place for people to opt in to that email list. This will start small and build over time, so the more time you have, the better! Publishers will look at these numbers and consider this as a factor when considering your book proposal or manuscript.

How do I get started?

You don’t have to have an elaborate website to start out. There are a few essential pages that I recommend:

The Home Page should set the tone for who you are as an author and what you write about. It should include a photo of you and a short introduction (linking to your About page for more), and it should also include an email list opt-in.

The About Page provides space for a longer bio. You can include a professional bio as well as some fun insights into who you are (such as a list of your favorite things) if you’d like.

The Contact Page provides the ways people can get in touch with you. This includes a contact form for them to email you directly, as well as links to your social media profiles.

As previously mentioned, a Blog Page can be quite strategic as well.

One of the wonderful things about WordPress is that there is always room to grow. You can add pages for your individual books and even an online store as the need arises!

Pulling together this initial content can often be a challenge, but it’s well worth the effort.!

Featured Author Websites I Have Designed

• S. D. Smith
• A. D. German Books (case study)
• Ruth Schwenk (case study)
• Kate Battistelli (case study)
• Karen Ehman
• Kristen Strong
• Lynn Freehill-Maye
• The Growly Books

Additional Reading:

• Should Writers Have a Website? (Writer’s Digest)
• When Do You Need an Author Website? (Jane Friedman)
• Unpublished Writers and Websites: Should You Have One and What Should It Say? (Jane Friedman)
• What Publishers Want (Greenleaf Book Group)
• Four Things Agents Look for When Checking Out Your Website (Books & Such)

The post Why Writers & Authors Need a Website appeared first on Erin Ulrich Creative.

I first worked with Walt Manning years ago on another project, and he got back in touch regarding the Northern Lights Festival website. The Northern Lights Music Festival is an annual classical and jazz music festival in the Lake Chapala/Guadalajara region of Mexico, featuring the highest calibre of international musicians. Their website was very outdated and in need of both technical and aesthetic improvements.

A website redesign in 2 days!

The Northern Lights Festival site was in need of a complete overhaul. The site had a number of technical issues due to their theme, and the content and navigation needed to be restructured, streamlined, and updated. Since the new website needed 10 pages, we scheduled two VIP Days for the project. They provided their own logo, as well as beautiful photography from previous events for me to use in the website design.

During Festival de Febrero’s two VIP Days, I was able to:

• Switch the website from its current theme to Kadence
• Audit existing plugins, removing those no longer needed and adding new functionality as needed
• Redesign and reformat all website pages with new content and photos

Here’s what Walt had to say:

Are you ready to schedule your VIP Day? Get in touch to start the process.
Want to learn more? Here’s a great place to start.

The post Case Study: Northern Lights Festival appeared first on Erin Ulrich Creative.

Spring is here! With the change in season, it’s the perfect time for spring cleaning your website. Let’s look at some website housekeeping tasks and improvements that you may have been putting off for a while.

Many times, website spring cleaning posts focus more on the technical side of things. Those types of updates are very important, but today, we are going to focus more on making sure your website still communicates your message and is relevant to your visitors.

Let’s talk about some key areas you can focus on! Before we start, I’ll clarify what I mean by “spring cleaning.”

Everyday Maintenance vs. Spring Cleaning

Some website housekeeping tasks need to be done on a more frequent basis—monthly, weekly, or even daily. Think of these as the everyday cleaning you would do around your house (tidying up, laundry, etc.). These tasks include:

If you find these things are falling through the cracks, one of my website care plans might be just what you need!

For a moment, let’s assume those tasks are happening regularly, as they should be. Beyond everyday maintenance, your website needs some additional TLC every so often, and that’s what we are going to focus on for our spring cleaning conversation.

Getting Started with Website Spring Cleaning

As it is with most things website related, you can stay as shallow or dive in as deep as you want to. I’m about to throw a lot of information your way, but I don’t want you to feel overwhelmed!

I know that some of you will dive in and work you way through this list, implementing each suggestion over time. For some of you, this just isn’t in your wheelhouse. And that is 100% okay!

I’m always here to help implement any of these checkups or fixes on your site if you would like some assistance. Depending on the scope of what needs to be done, a VIP Half Day might be the perfect fit to work through your punch list. If there’s more work to be done, we can look at doing a full VIP Day, too!

Let’s get started!

Home Page Checkup

Does your home page still reflect your current focus? Over time, that focus can change, and you may realize that your home page content is no longer relevant. If your home page doesn’t clearly communicate what you currently offer and give a clear call-to-action, it’s missing the mark.

Possible home page updates might include:

If you realize your content just isn’t doing the job and you are struggling with how to communicate your message, reach out to Cynthia at Gratitude Copy. She is truly a gem!

Overall Content Checkup

Beyond your home page, take a look at the other pages of your site. The most important ones to update are usually your About page, your Services page (if you have one), and your Contact page.

Does your page content feel current? Is the information still relevant and accurate? How can you refine it and make it better? Pay particular attention to the following tasks:

Email Opt-In and Subscriber List Checkup

Are you happy with your current email service provider (ESP)? (I’m talking about providers that manage your email subscriber list, such as Flodesk, Mailchimp, MailerLite, or Kit. This is different than Gmail, Yahoo, etc., which are only for regular email.) If you find you aren’t happy with your current ESP, this could be a good time to consider migrating your subscribers to a new one. Don’t worry, I can do this for you!

Honestly, I pretty much love Flodesk, and my clients who have switched do as well. The other day, I recommended it to a VIP Day client, and within a few hours, she sent me an email with the subject line “I’ve already fallen in love with Flodesk.”

If you are content with your current provider, check to see if your email opt-ins are still working properly. Try going through the subscribe process to make sure you’re happy with the workflow. You may want to consider the following:

If you don’t have an email subscriber list yet, please reach out! I’d love to share more about why this is important.

Design & Theme Checkup

Are you happy with your current design? If it is starting to feel dated or no longer reflects your brand, it is probably time for an update. I usually recommend a redesign every 2-3 years.

What theme is your site using? For 12 years, I built sites exclusively using the Genesis Framework, and it was considered the industry standard. However, a few years ago, I (along with many other designers and developers) switched to using the Kadence Theme. I was disappointed with the lack of continuing development for Genesis and felt that it was time to move to a theme that was keeping up with the advances WordPress is making over time.

Kadence works similarly to Genesis in that it starts out as a blank slate that can be designed to look however you want. There are some really beautiful child themes available. Restored 316 Designs is still my favorite child theme shop (They switched from Genesis to Kadence, too!), and I regularly create custom Kadence designs for my clients as well.

If you are still using a Genesis theme, I encourage you to consider a theme change. While Genesis was an excellent theme from a technical and performance standpoint back in the day, there was a significant learning curve with it. Kadence is far more user friendly! 

With Kadence, you have access to an impressive library of blocks, along with the ability to easily edit your site’s header, footer, fonts, colors, and more. Making design and layout changes over time is far easier and doesn’t require theme coding changes.

In addition, Kadence is fast loading and great for SEO. It is also customized to play nicely with Google’s core web vitals (essential for keeping the search engines happy so that your site is easier to find).

If you’d like to know more about making the switch to Kadence, get in touch!

SEO Checkup

Search Engine Optimization (SEO) often feels like a moving target. It seems like we’re at the mercy of Google and the rest, as they change their algorithms seemingly on a whim. This means that SEO on your website needs to be an ongoing focus. It’s not just about keeping Google happy; it’s about helping people find your website.

I like the Yoast SEO plugin the best, so this is what I typically use on client sites. It has an initial configuration that I always run when I build a site. Beyond that, there are SEO settings for every single page and post on your site that you need to keep current.

As you update your content on each page, you’ll want to make sure you update the SEO as well. This includes:

While these tips barely scratch the surface, the Yoast SEO website provides a wealth of information and tools for better SEO. If you want to do a deeper dive, check out their information on how to do a SEO audit.

Wrapping Up

At the end of the day, your website needs to communicate your message to viewers and clearly direct them towards the action you want them to take. Your site’s content, email opt-ins, SEO, design, and even the functionality of your theme all play a part in making this possible. By taking some time this spring to work on these aspects of your site, you’re creating a more welcoming online home for visitors.

If you want help implementing these kinds of changes on your site, please reach out and let me know what you need! I would love to work with you to better prepare your website for the upcoming season.

The post Spring Cleaning Your Website: Keeping Your Site Relevant appeared first on Erin Ulrich Creative.

Kate Battistelli and I first worked together in 2013, when I completed a new design for her blog. We then redesigned her site in 2019 to coincide with the release of her book, The God Dare. This year, I had the pleasure of working with her on a third redesign—this time helping prepare her website for the release of her upcoming book, The After Party of the Empty Nest.

The first two designs I did for Kate were traditional website design projects. When she contacted me a few weeks ago, we hopped on a call and talked through what it would look like to redesign her site during a VIP Day. Both Kate and her husband, Mike, were excited at the possibility. With the upcoming book release, we knew she would benefit from getting the redesign accomplished quickly!

A website redesign in 1 day!

Going in to the VIP Day, I knew my initial focus would be to implement a lot of technical upgrades on Kate’s site to help it run better and be positioned for future updates. Beyond that, our goals were to create a fresh look, restructure content, and showcase her new book front and center.

During Kate’s VIP Day, I was able to:

• Switch her site from the Genesis Framework to Kadence (a recomendation I make for all sites using a Genesis theme)
• Audit existing plugins, removing those no longer needed and adding new functionality as needed
• Update the website PHP version from the deprecated version 7.4 to the current 8.2 (a vital upgrade that many hosting companies require)
• Redesign and reformat all website pages with new content and photos

Here’s what Kate had to say:

Are you ready to schedule your VIP Day? Get in touch to start the process.
Want to learn more? Here’s a great place to start.

The post Case Study: Kate Battistelli appeared first on Erin Ulrich Creative.

While website content varies greatly, there are some core pages that every website needs to have in order to be effective. In this article, we will take a look at these vital pages, as well as other common pages that many websites need.

Which Comes First: Content or Design?

First, let’s address a question I often get:

“Can you just build the website, and then I can add my content later?”

My answer to this question is almost always, “No.” And there’s a good reason for it. My job as a designer is to take your messaging and display it in a cohesive and attractive way. You can have the most beautiful site in the world, but if your messaging isn’t clear, your site will be ineffective. And if I’m not sure what you’re trying to communicate, my ability to build an effective site for you will be limited.

The very best way to design a website is to build it around the content, which is why I always require the website content to be submitted before I begin the website design process.

(Note: This doesn’t apply to logo and brand design, as this is done separately prior to the website design itself.)

For Further Reading:

• Why You Should Start With Copy Instead of Design: A Data-Backed Lesson (HubSpot)
• What comes first, copy or design? (The Literary Co)

Home Page

The home page is undoubtedly the most important page on your website. It’s the place a person will likely land when they visit your site for the first time. You only have a few seconds to capture their attention and make them want to stick around.

It should come at no surprise then that the home page content can be the most difficult to create. Your ideal home page content will vary depending on your website’s focus, but here are some key elements you should consider including:

Value Proposition (Hero Section)

• Headline: A clear, concise statement of what you offer or how you solve your visitors’ problem.
• Subheadline: A brief explanation or tagline that supports the headline.
• Call to Action (CTA): A clear call-to-action button that says something like “Get Started,” “Learn More,” or “Shop Now.”

Brief About Section

• This section will include a short intro about your brand and mission. If it is a personal site, this can be a short intro about you. This should be just a few lines with a “Read More” link to your full About page.
• Including a headshot of yourself will help the visitor feel connected and give a more personal feel.

Social Proof or Testimonials

• Quotes or reviews from customers/clients.
• Any media mentions, awards, or recognizable brand logos that you’ve worked with or been featured by.

Featured Content or Services

• A preview of your key offerings (products, services, features).
• A quick overview with icons or images for each offering, each linking to the respective page for more details.

Call to Action (CTA)

• Include multiple CTAs throughout the homepage—one in the hero section, another mid-way down, and possibly one at the bottom.
• These should lead users toward the next step in their journey (e.g., contact, sign-up, purchase).

Featured Blog Posts (if your site has a blog)

• This section could feature your most recent posts.
• It could also showcase your blog’s categories (with an image button for each one).

Further Reading:

• 5 Minute Marketing Makeover (free 3-video series from Donald Miller)
• Storybrand Website Wireframe

About Page

Your About page is one of the most important pages on your website. This is the perfect place to introduce yourself and what your website is all about. Don’t be afraid to include your qualifications and even make it a bit personal. Key sections can include:

Introduction

• Who You Are: Start with a brief introduction of yourself or your brand.
• What You Do: Explain the core of your business, project, or website. What service, product, or value do you provide?

Your Mission or Purpose

• Share your mission statement, the values that drive you, or the purpose behind your project. What problem do you aim to solve or what impact do you want to make?

Your Story

• Share the backstory of how your website or your business came to be. When visitors understand where you’ve come from, it helps them to feel connected and gives them context for what you are offering. Your story makes things more personal and helps them to relate.

What Makes You Unique

• What sets you apart from others in your niche? In what ways are you different than others providing the same type of content or services?

What You Offer

• Briefly outline the main products, services, or content that visitors can expect from your site. This sets expectations for what you’re offering or creating and helps visitors understand what they’ll gain by following or working with you.

Call to Action (CTA)

• Next Steps: After learning about you, what should visitors do next? Whether it’s contacting you, signing up for a newsletter, or browsing your services, make it clear what you want them to do after reading your About page.
• Contact Info: Provide your visitor with a clear link to your contact page, subscribe form, or booking link.

Testimonials or Social Proof

• Quotes or Reviews: If you have testimonials or reviews from clients or customers, including these builds trust.
• Media Mentions: If you’ve been featured in notable media outlets or have certifications, you can include logos or mention those as well.

Facts or Personal Interests

• For some websites, you can include a fun, personal element—like hobbies, values, or passions outside your business—to make you more relatable.

Further Reading:

• How to Write an About Me Page (Restored 316)
• How to Write a Killer About Me Page for Your Blog (Melyssa Griffin) – for bloggers
• How to Write a Great About Page (HubSpot) – for businesses
• How to Write a Creative “About Me” Page (Jessie Lewis) – for solopreneurs

Services Page

If you run a service-based business, your Services page should give clear a persuasive presentation of what you offer.

If your website is a ministry or nonprofit, this page can tell more about the ministries you offer or perhaps how people can get involved. (Sometimes “Get Involved” is a separate page, so it will depend on what you specifically need to communicate.)

Overview of Services

• Title: Start with a simple, attention-grabbing heading like “Our Services” or “What We Offer” or “Our Ministries.”
• Brief Introduction: Offer a brief paragraph summarizing the services you provide and how they benefit your target audience. Keep it focused on your clients’ needs, not just what you do.

Example:
“I build effective websites for writers, creatives, and small businesses so you can focus on your craft. I’m here to listen to what you hope to achieve and create a beautiful website that gets results.”

Service Descriptions

List each service you offer with a clear, concise description and the benefits it offers. Information can include:

• Service Name: A clear, specific name for each service (e.g., “Website Design,” “VIP Days,” “Website Maintenance,” etc.).
• Detailed Description: Explain what’s included in the service, how it works, and any important processes.
• Benefits: Highlight how each service solves a problem or improves the client’s situation.
• Pricing (optional): If applicable, you can either provide starting prices or invite users to request a quote. Be transparent but avoid overwhelming visitors with too much detail.

Why Choose You?

Include a section that outlines why visitors should choose your services over competitors. Focus on your unique selling points (USPs), experience, expertise, or any distinguishing factors.

Case Studies or Testimonials

Relevant testimonials or case studies can built trust by demonstrating how you’ve successfully helped others. If you have more in-depth case studies, you can link to a separate Case Studies page.

Call-to-Action (CTA)

Include a clear CTA for each service or at the end of the page to encourage visitors to take the next step (e.g., “Get Started,” “Request a Quote,” “Contact Me,” etc.).

FAQs

If applicable, include a FAQ section (or link to a separate FAQ page) that answers common questions about your services to bring further clarity to what you have to offer.

Contact Page

The contact page can be one of the simplest pages on your website. Its goal is to set expectations for how someone can get in touch with you and give them the means to do so. Your contact page can include:

• Contact Form: This form can be simple (name, email, message) or a bit more robust if you’d like to collect additional information.
• Social Media Links: Include links to your active social media profiles (Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, etc.) for more ways to engage with you.
• Phone Number: If applicable, provide a customer service or business number.
• Physical Address: If relevant, include your office or business location (especially for local businesses).
• Office Hours: If you have set office hours, list them clearly so people know when to expect a response or when you’re available to chat.
• Google Map Integration: If you have a physical location, embed a Google map to make it easy for users to find you.

Privacy Policy

Yes, every site should have a privacy policy! WordPress has a generic privacy policy template which can be a good starting point. However, this should be edited to fit the needs of your specific site. There are also a number of privacy policy generators online (such as Termly).

I am not a lawyer, so this information is not a substitute for legal advice. If you have further questions about privacy policies or other legal concerns, please consult an attorney.

Further Reading:

• How to Add a Privacy Policy in WordPress (WP Beginner)
• Adding a Privacy Policy to Your WordPress Site (HubSpot)

The post How to Plan Your Website Content appeared first on Erin Ulrich Creative.

I first worked with Ruth Schwenk well over a decade ago when she was starting The Better Mom blog. We have worked together on various projects through the years, so I was so happy for the opportunity to work with her on her new personal site.

A website in 1.5 days!

Since Ruth also needed a logo and branding, we worked on this part of the project prior to her VIP Day. Some designers do VIP Day branding design, but when it comes to this, I prefer to give a bit more time for consideration and feedback.

During her VIP Day and a half, I was able to design and build a brand new 6 page (plug blog) website, including the home page, about page, books page, freebies page, favorite things page, work with me page, and blog page, as well as styling for the single post and category archive pages.

Here’s what Ruth had to say:

Are you ready to schedule your VIP Day? Get in touch to start the process.
Want to learn more? Here’s a great place to start.

The post Case Study: Ruth Schwenk appeared first on Erin Ulrich Creative.

Years ago, I worked with Tara on another project, so when she contacted me about her new website, I was glad to have the opportunity to work with her again!

Launching a new online space!

After years of being a freelance writer and editor, Tara realized she needed a designated online space to offer her editing and author support services.

On her VIP Day, I designed and built a brand new, 4 page website, including the home page, a simple services pages, a scheduling page, and a blog page. At that point, the site was launchable, but Tara knew she wanted to work on her services a bit more and add blog posts before launching. When she had that additional content ready to go, she contacted me again and booked a VIP Half Day

During the half day, I built out more of her services page, modified the home page to include her portfolio and ConvertKit opt-ins, and set up her blog with a few posts published.

Here’s what Tara had to say:

Are you ready to schedule your VIP Day?
Want to learn more? Here’s a great place to start.

The post Case Study: Tara Cooper appeared first on Erin Ulrich Creative.

A.D. German contacted me in need of an author website in preparation for the release of her new YA Fantasy book, The Lost King’s Daughter. The book was already in production, and she needed a site that would capture the look and feel of the book and its setting. The book is the first in a series, so we needed to make sure there was room for the site to grow over time as new books are released. She also needed help setting up an e-commerce component for the book at Square, a new email address using her domain, and MailerLite.

A website in two days!

Since we needed to design and build a new website as well as the Square storefront and other items, I knew this project needed would take 2 VIP Days.

During those two days I was able to:

• Design and build a brand new, 4 page website, including the home page, about page, books page, and a blog page (with two category archive pages)
• Set up her Square account for online sales, add products and shipping options, and set up a simple storefront to match her brand
• Set up a new email address for her, using her new domain, at Google Workspace
• Set up her MailerLite account with a new email list, opt-in form, and welcome email automation

Here’s what A.D. German had to say:

Are you ready to schedule your VIP Day? Get in touch to start the process.
Want to learn more? Here’s a great place to start.

The post Case Study: A.D. German Books appeared first on Erin Ulrich Creative.