New Website Launch for Rivet!

I am excited about a new website launch for Rivet. Over a year ago, when I officially started my business, I was in a hurry to create a website. I needed to look legitimate and quick. The current website works great, but it needed a makeover now that Rivet has taken off.

Within a week of my original website going live, I understood that having an online presence would bring in clients, and without it, the business would break. My website needed to look professional to show potential clients I was serious and experienced. But most importantly, my website is essential because 95% of my clients work in areas well outside my home office.

Now that I know I want to be a professional editor for the long term and Rivet is successful, I wanted to update my website to lean into the brand and push my offerings to another level. My website is still an essential piece of my business’ overall marketing plan.

So Why Update the Website?

Updating my content and visuals for a new website launch for Rivet was all about finding a better way of letting potential clients know what I do and why I do it better. Let’s be honest, editors come naturally to authors, but they are not the first hire for most businesses. So, explaining my services better to potential clients was the first obstacle. Explaining what Rivet means was the second obstacle.

Explaining What I Do and Who I Am

The two things that go well for me in my business are:

1) I do a great job based on my education and experience.

2) I have a high level of professionalism. I not only do the job well, but I also take my experience and offer ways to improve your business. I also will never leave you hanging or won’t call you back (Have you heard my rants on ghosting lately? They’re epic. Ghosting shows that you are lazy, you think humans are invaluable, only your time matters and you are completely unprofessional).

Even though I did a great job editing and I offer a high level of professionalism and work ethic, one thing I lacked was translating this into the brand, so I needed to redesign for a new website launch for Rivet.

One of the most common questions I get from potential clients is what does Rivet mean. I knew I loved the name and its symbolism but didn’t promote it or talk about it. Finally, I realized that Rivet could speak for itself as a brand if I had my elevator pitch down and could clearly communicate what it means to people when they visited my website.

You can view the new explanation of Rivet on my new homepage here: http://rivetservice.com/

The New Way of Selling

I don’t get the opportunity to explain Rivet to people personally because the new face of selling is letting people research anonymously for as long as they want. All of us spend a lot of our time on the internet, whether shopping, entertainment or buying a product. There are so many reasons we research several websites throughout our day. I can research a topic by searching the internet for months. My brain can marinate on a product for up to nine months before purchasing anything. Sometimes I join a mailing list in January, so I don’t miss the holiday deals they will announce in November.

This type of research applies to finding an editor, proofreader or copywriter, especially for authors who need to be forward-thinking and research potential editors, proofreaders and beta readers before finishing their manuscript. Businesses also research service providers and freelancers well in advance for budgeting and planning purposes.

Why is a Website Important?

I went out to breakfast with my daughter last Friday and noticed a man going through the classified ads of our local newspaper. And for some reason, he was actually circling ads. Who does this anymore? It was like watching someone use a pay phone on the street corner or an actual USPS mailbox.

Websites have quickly outdated most traditional forms of business exposure, and due to the pandemic, people have moved over even more to the offerings of a virtual world.

A professional website is now the primary way most people will find out about your business. A website can make or break a new business. A website is essential even if you are afraid to put yourself out on the internet.

Here are some reasons why a website is so important for a business:

1. Exposure to potential business. A website is often a business’ first impression. A website can be your “open house” for potential clients. Just like your home, make your company’s website inviting, warm and welcoming.
2. Websites are how people shop. Today, most people look for business on the internet, so without a website, you give up the opportunity for potential business. If you don’t have a website, more than likely, people will not know you exist.  
3. Legitimacy. Again, most people today shop for products and services on the internet. A website shows potential clients that you have your stuff together. You allow a potential business to research you to see if you are the right fit for them.
4. Finding Your Business. Search engines are the primary way people find a product or service. Without a website, your business will not appear in search engines such as Google, Bing or DuckDuckGo, and people won’t know you offer them an option. Even if a person does not search for your business directly, a search engine can provide results that lead them to your website. Search engines play a vital role in opening the door for people to find your business online. 
5. Credibility. As I mentioned earlier, my website shows I am a credible business. Having a website increases your business authority. Without a website, consumers can’t research whether you are an upstanding business. Of course, other parts of your business give weight to a good reputation, such as referrals and testimonials.
6. Referrals. Speaking of referrals, a website allows your past clients and people you work and associate with to point people they think could use your services to your website.
7. Expands reach. Almost my entire business is based outside of my hometown’s immediate area. In fact, half of my business is outside the United States. My business can do this because I have a website that reaches people worldwide.
8. Built-in Advertising. A website that appears on search results will automatically present your company as an option to potential clients for free.

How is the New Rivet Website Different?

Businesses aren’t stagnant. That’s why it was good to have a new website launch for Rivet. Along with a fresh, modern look, the new website for Rivet has changed in other ways:

• The new website is easier to navigate to point you to the information and sections you need.
• I explain the services I provide in a more straightforward manner.
• The blog now features keywords and categories to quickly get you information that is relevant to what you need.
• The Rivet logo will appear throughout your page scrolling so you can easily remember which website you are looking at no matter how many windows you have open.
• The portfolio samples are dynamic so that you can see my editing process in action.
• The website is mobile-friendly.

Thanks To:

Of course, the new website launch for Rivet would not have been possible without a talented graphic designer’s hard work and dedication. Freelancer Dawn Smith is not only a dear childhood friend of mine but also a very gifted designer with a boatload of technical knowledge. It is so fun to work with professionals in their element, and I loved watching Dawn working in real-time, changing the look of the website every time I had a change of opinion or new idea.

If you like the new Rivet website, please put in a comment. If you need help with your own, please reach out to me via my new contact page: https://rivetservice.com/contact-rivet-service/. We can start a conversation about what you are looking for and see if Dawn is the right fit for you.

Sources:

https://pixabay.com/users/422737-422737/?utm_source=link-attribution&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=image&utm_content=485611