The internet has become a great resource for horse owners looking for information on everything from buying new horses to finding a vet. But there are tons of websites that aren’t designed well, which makes it difficult for people to navigate through content to find real answers. In this article, I’ll give you equine website design tips for beginners.
Pick a Website Builder That You Can Actually Use
There are so many different website builders available in 2022. Many claim to be user friendly and easy to use. Those claims aren’t always true. When you’re building an equine website design, it’s important that you vet your website builder to make sure you’ll actually be able to use it on your own. The top complaint from beginners attempting to build a new website is that they get too frustrated with the platform.
My favorite platform to use is WordPress. I typically build my sites out using a page builder called Elementor. There is a slight learning curve, but once you get the hang of it, website building is a breeze! Elementor and WordPress both come with many pre-built themes that will help you build your website quickly.
Another alternative is Squarespace. I’m not the biggest fan of Squarespace for my own designs, but I know that many consider it easy to use. Squarespace will also allow you to get all aspects of your website in one place (domain name, hosting plan, and email), which is convenient for most new equine business owners.
Choose a Theme That Suits Your Brand
One of the most important equine website design tips for beginners revolves around choosing the correct theme for your site. A theme is the visual style of a website. It helps users connect with the design by providing them with a consistent look and feel. There are many different themes available on most of the equine website design platforms, so choose one that suits your needs.
If you can’t find a pre-designed theme that works for you, you can always customize the colors and fonts to fit with your branding. There are tons of easy to follow tutorials that will show you how to customize the theme of your choosing.
Create a Compelling About Page
An about page is a page on your website that provides visitors with more information about your business. This page should provide visitors with details about who owns the business, where it was founded, its mission statement, and any other relevant information.
When writing out your biography, be sure to include personal information that will help your users better connect with you. In most cases, a customer will be more willing to buy from someone they actually like.
Include Custom Photos and Videos
A well-designed website will make it easy for people to find the information they need. If you’re looking to build a new equine website design, consider using a template that includes photos and videos. These elements help visitors stay engaged throughout the site by providing them more visual elements.
If you can, always choose custom photos and videos over stock options. This will be important for your SEO (search engine optimization). Search engines will often prioritize websites with custom images over those with stock photos. If you don’t have the money to hire a professional photographer, consider using your cell phone. Most cell phone cameras are pretty high quality, which means you can get great shots without a huge price tag.
Add Social Media Links
One of the most important things to consider when designing a website is social media integration. If you want to reach potential customers, you should include links to Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, Google My Business, YouTube, and any other platform you are active on. It’s important to also link your website on the platforms you’re using. This will help to create consistency across all of your online platforms.
Build Trust with Quality Content
A quality website will help build trust among potential customers. If you have a lot of pages on your site, make sure each one has a clear purpose and offers something unique. You should also use images and graphics to highlight key points and keep readers engaged. Providing free advice and content is a great way to build a relationship with potential customers and keep your services at the front of their mind when they are ready to purchase.
Hire an Expert to Build Your Equine Website Design
If you find that you don’t have the time to build your equine website design, consider hiring an expert like me. Spending the money to have a professional website designed can be a worthwhile investment over the long term. If you have questions about what it looks like to work with me, get in touch. I’m happy to schedule a free 30 minute consultation call to answer questions and walk you through the design process.
