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Hey ,

The more busy and overwhelmed folks get, the less time we have for waste, especially online (seriously, how often do you have the free time to explore every single page of a website?).

That's why each page of your website needs a clear purpose that supports your business. If a page is just there to take up space, I can all but guarantee that no one will look at it. 

Yet, there are certain pages that I continue to see, especially on DIY websites, that are just wasted space, and won't get any views, let alone sales.

Gallery pages, a.k.a. where beautiful photos go to die

You've probably been told more than once that you need to put a face on your company. A gallery page might sound like a way to do that.

But then, if your website visitor does click through to your gallery page, they often see rows and rows of images… with absolutely no context to go alongside them. There's no indication why an image is there, or why your audience should care about it. It’s not engaging. 

Your images are more likely to get ignored or skipped over entirely.

Testimonial pages have similar issues--you have tangible proof of who you are and the quality of what you do! ...but it's hidden away on a separate page, when it should be supporting the story of what you do.

Websites are hard enough when you're just making them look decent, but making the right moves with your web content is a whole other enchilada. 

You don't have to keep white-knuckling it on your own, though. When you work with Team Upswept on your website, you get snappy design and my thoughtful content strategy that puts all of those beautiful pieces in exactly the right place.

Not every piece of content on your website needs its own space.

Whether it’s a great photo, an outline of your offering, or a juicy quote from one of your clients, it’s always worth asking yourself: what role does this play on my website?

If your Gallery page is meant to be a portfolio, then let it be a portfolio! Give your viewer some details alongside the photo about what makes the work special, and why it fulfilled the client's wants so perfectly.

If the content in question is just images or quotes, then let them support the story you're telling. A photo of you "in action" has more impact alongside your bio than it does in a gallery. And, a testimonial about your service has more impact when it’s used to actually help sell your service.

If your website feels more like a cluttered basement than a clean, professional representation of you, don’t shame yourself about it.

You might still be refining your offer. Or, maybe you're scrambling to update your website as your org grows beyond its humble beginnings. Life happens!

There is a strategy to how you use all of the content on your website, though. It's not just what you have, it's where and how you organize it. Want to know how to apply it? Grab a free 5-minute audit, and I'll share some quick wins for your web strategy.

Until next time,

– Sarah

Speaking of organizing things, do you need to get your business out of your brain, and into the hands of team members who can support you? SOPs are the core of how you do exactly that! ...but it's tough to know how to write a good SOP, or what to include in it.

Luckily, Sammy Bohannon has a terrific guide on crafting good and useful SOPs that you can download right now! She’s an Online Business Manager who helps people bring order to the chaos of what’s going on behind-the-scenes in their businesses, and she's worth having in your orbit. Get her SOP guide and template here.

Need a hand? Here are a few ways to get help from us:

1. Follow Upswept Creative on social. 
   We regularly share honest online marketing wisdom on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn.
2. Subscribe to The Radical Marketer.
   My weekly newsletter digs into the good, the bad, and the ugly of online marketing. I'll guide you towards habits that feed your mission (without filling the pockets of tech billionaires), and help you bring the radical acts that matter to you into your online presence. Subscribe here.
3. Get a Free Online Marketing Audit. Our 5-minute Audit takes a look at your website, social, and email marketing, and pinpoints small changes you can make for quick wins. Get your 5-Minute Audit Here.
   
4. Book Your Consultation with Team Upswept.
   We didn't come to play! We deliver the full meal deal for your online marketing needs, whether it's website, social, or email, or all three. Go here to get on our calendar.

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