Website

Website Importance for Bookkeeping Clients

• Why Everyone Needs a Website

  • 92% of searches for bookkeepers and accountants happen on Google.

  • Small business owners combine word-of-mouth with internet searches to find professionals.

  • If you're not on Google, you don't exist.

  • A well-designed website can help schedule consultations automatically.

  • Websites can be low-cost or free, making them a great investment for client acquisition.

Tools for Creating a Website

• Overview of Options

  • Various website creation options exist; focus on three main choices: Google My Business, Wix/Squarespace/Weebly, and WordPress.

• Google My Business (GMB)

  • Advantages:

    • Free and easy to set up.

    • Ties into existing Google My Business information.

    • Quick to get a basic website running.

  • Disadvantages:

    • Limited customization options; only basic visuals available.

    • Lacks search engine optimization tools needed for ranking.

• Wix / Squarespace / Weebly

  • Advantages:

    • More customization options available than GMB.

    • Themes ensure a personalized look.

    • User-friendly drag-and-drop interface.

    • Search engine optimization features included.

  • Disadvantages:

    • Costs associated; not free but relatively inexpensive.

• WordPress

  • Advantages:

    • Highly customizable and fully-featured; control over every detail.

    • Available plug-ins enhance functionality (e.g. Google reviews integration).

    • Generally free to use.

  • Disadvantages:

    • Requires more technical expertise; steeper learning curve.

    • Time-intensive initially, possibly taking away from primary marketing activities.

Setting Up Calendly

• What is Calendly?

  • A scheduling tool that allows clients to book consultations based on your availability.

  • Integrates directly with your Google Calendar to show real-time availability.

• Benefits of Using Calendly:

  • Automatically excludes times you are unavailable.

  • Gathers client details efficiently.

• Set-up Steps for Calendly:

  • Create an account at calendly.com.

  • Connect to your calendar during account setup.

  • Create consultation events to allow clients to schedule easily.

  • Customize event settings (duration, buffer times, maximum events per day).

Website Content Information

• Key Points for Website Content:

  • Incorporate natural keywords and key phrases that potential clients will use to find your services (e.g., "bookkeeper in [City]").

  • Ensure strategic placement of keywords on home page, about me, contact, and service pages.

Home Page Essentials

• Content Requirements:

  • Professional photo of yourself to establish trust.

  • Compelling value proposition in the 'About Me' section.

  • Call-to-action for free consultations linked to Calendly.

  • Client testimonials for social proof.

  • Name, Address, and Phone number (NAP) in the footer of every page.

About Page Essentials

• Profile image and personal bio that gives insight into your background and personality.

• Allow for personal anecdotes to build rapport.

Service Page Essentials

• Comprehensive description of services offered.

• Benefits of each service section.

• Mention location-specific keywords to enhance SEO (search engine optimization).

Contact Page Essentials

• Enable client communication through a contact form; avoid direct email display to minimize spam.

• Offer a visual of your location using Google Maps.

Blog Page Considerations

• A dedicated blog can enhance SEO if maintained regularly.

• Create quality content that can drive traffic; however, it should be updated frequently to not appear stagnant.

Importance of On-Page SEO for Website Ranking

• Mobile Optimization:

  • Ensure that the website displays well on mobile devices.

• Enable SSL Security:

  • Increases credibility; look for the padlock icon and HTTPS in the browser's address bar.

• Optimize Page Load Speed:

  • Use Google PageSpeed Insights to assess performance.

• Submit a Sitemap to Google Search Console:

  • Helps Google index your website efficiently.

On-Page SEO Techniques

• Proper URL Structure:

  • Keep URL names clean and specific to the page’s content.

• Meta Titles:

  • Use descriptive meta titles that include relevant keywords.

• Meta Descriptions:

  • Craft attention-grabbing descriptions for each page to improve click-through rates.

Inbound Links and Citations for SEO

• Build inbound links through various strategies:

  • Partnering with industry websites for mutual linking.

  • Contributing guest content to small business blogs.

  • Engaging in relevant Facebook groups for networking and link-sharing.

  • Joining Help a Reporter Out (HARO) to get quoted by journalists and cited in articles.

• NAP Citations:

  • List your name, address, and phone number on citation directories for link-building; ensure consistency across all sites.