As the founder of a Virtual Assistant association, the Virtual Assistance Chamber of Commerce, I’m in a position to see lots of new Virtual Assistant websites.
In the last year, I’ve been noticing Virtual Assistant website after website using the new, and apparently free, Microsoft Live templates.
Having a website is better than having no website at all. But folks, I gotta tell ya, y’all are nothing but a drop in a bland sea of colorless water.
If you want to do yourself and your business a favor, at your first opportunity, hire a professional to design a business website for you that has some personality and your own unique branding. A custom-designed (read non-template) website is one of the easiest ways to differentiate your business. If you are serious about your business, it’s one of the smartest investments you can make.
And while we’re at it, stop plagiarizing each other, for gosh sakes! Not only will you find yourself in hot water with your colleagues, but I can’t tell you how many clients have complained to me that "Virtual Assistant websites all look the same, and they all say the same thing."
Stop being a lemming and start actually thinking about your own brand, and putting your own unique personality and twist on what you do. Be an UN-cola!
Thanks for commenting. Yeah, the virtual assistant term is really completely idiotic to...
One Comment
While I agree that using a true hosting service for websites is ideal, sometimes when starting up it isn’t possible to do so. Microsoft Office Live is a starting point, albeit a limited one. It is possible to add a logo and a bit of pizazz to the free website. I’ve actually gotten several comments on the smooth interface and professional image of my website. And yes, it’s one of the free sites. It just took a little time and tweaking. Entrepreneurship is all about ingenuity. Many virtual assistants are probably in the same financial boat as I am and the fact that someone offers a free website with the ability to register our own domain name is a huge benefit. But you’re right, it is all about being unique, even when you’re using a ‘template’ you need to find something that sets you apart and always use your own words.