Tips for Creating a Professional Website

𝟭𝟬 𝗥𝘂𝗹𝗲𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗛𝗶𝗴𝗵-𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗪𝗲𝗯𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗲𝘀 🔥 Most product sites don’t convert. Here’s how to fix it: 𝟭/ 𝗨𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗯𝘂𝘆𝗲𝗿 Before designing, talk to real users. Figure out what they want, what stops them, and what triggers action. → Talk to 5 signups: “What made you try it?” → Exit survey: “What’s stopping you?” → Watch session recordings → Skim support chats → Bonus: Buy someone coffee for quick feedback ✅ Example: Users say: “I just want to send invoices and get paid.” → Don’t write: “Smart billing software” → Say: “Send your next invoice in under 60 seconds.” 𝟮/ 𝗡𝗮𝗶𝗹 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗵𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗽𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 Your layout needs: → Headline: pain point → Subheadline: curiosity → CTA: single action → Visual: product in action → Body: benefits > features ✅ Example: → “Hiring is broken.” → “Our AI recruiter finds top 3 candidates in 24h.” → “Try it free” → Demo video → “Save 10+ hours/week on screening” 𝟯/ 𝗠𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝘃𝗮𝗹𝘂𝗲 𝗰𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗹𝗱 Most people won’t scroll. → What is this? → Who’s it for? → Why does it matter? → What should I do next? ✅ Example: → Don’t say: “AI-powered web builder” → Say: “Launch your landing page in 60 seconds” 𝟰/ 𝗙𝗼𝗰𝘂𝘀 𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲𝘀, 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗳𝗲𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲𝘀 People don’t want “real-time sync.” They want fewer meetings, faster work. ✅ Example: → Don't say: “Real-time collaboration” → Say: “No more back-and-forth emails. Edit together live.” 𝟱/ 𝗔𝗱𝗱 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗼𝗳, 𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗹𝘆 Trust builds conversion. → Logos → Quotes → Counters → Screenshots → Case studies ✅ Example: → “Trusted by 4,000+ teams at Meta, Notion, and Vercel” 𝟲/ 𝗥𝗲𝗺𝗼𝘃𝗲 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 Stick to one goal and cut everything else. → No blog links → No footer clutter → No secondary CTAs ✅ Example: If your goal is “Try for free,” everything should lead there. 𝟳/ 𝗨𝘀𝗲 𝗯𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗖𝗧𝗔 𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗴𝘂𝗮𝗴𝗲 Avoid vague buttons. Make CTAs feel easy + specific. ✅ Example: → Don't say: “Start now” → Say: “Try for free” 𝟴/ 𝗗𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗻 𝗺𝗼𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗲-𝗳𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 60%+ of traffic is mobile. If it’s clunky, it’s broken. → Large tap targets → Sticky CTAs → Short scroll → Preview breakpoints ✅ Example: → Desktop: CTA beside video → Mobile: CTA pinned bottom → Preview with Lovable 𝟵/ 𝗧𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗻 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘄𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗼 One version is only one guess. ✅ Example: → “The fastest invoicing tool for freelancers” vs. → “Send your next invoice in under 60 seconds” → Ship both with Lovable 𝟭𝟬/ 𝗗𝗼𝗻’𝘁 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗽 𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗧𝗔 Conversion isn’t the goal. The activation flow right after is. → Pre-fill content → Show a 60s walkthrough → Highlight one key action ✅ Example: User signs up → edits sample invoice → sends in 1 click LFG

Run a Core Web Vitals check — site speed = silent revenue leakage Every extra second your site takes to load is costing you sales. Customers don’t wait. They click back, they bounce, they buy elsewhere. Google’s Core Web Vitals give you a simple way to measure site speed and usability. The three key metrics: Largest Contentful Paint (LCP) — how fast the main content loads. First Input Delay (FID) — how quickly the page responds to user actions. Cumulative Layout Shift (CLS) — how stable the page layout is as it loads. Why this matters for eCommerce: Faster sites convert more. Even a 0.5 second improvement can lift revenue. Google uses Core Web Vitals as a ranking signal, so speed directly impacts SEO. Poor mobile performance means wasted ad spend, as users drop off before they even see the offer. A quick check you can run today: Plug your site into Google PageSpeed Insights. Review your Core Web Vitals scores. Prioritise fixes for your top revenue-driving pages. Site speed is silent revenue leakage. Fix it, and you unlock growth. Question: Have you checked your Core Web Vitals in the last 3 months? #SEO #ecommerce #digitalmarketing

The biggest battle a writer faces isn’t the blank page. It’s making a portfolio. You’d think it’d be easy… Just pick your best work, slap it together, add a link, DONE. It’s not. Because the moment you sit down to make it, the chaos begins. You start second-guessing everything. Is this too long? Too short? Too casual? Too polished? Do I look like I know what I’m doing, or like I’m trying too hard to prove it? Every voice in your head fights for control. the one that wants to keep it lean. the one that wants to explain every detail. the one that wants to sound impressive. …and the one that just wants it over with. For me, it started with the line I kept seeing everywhere--”Make it short. Brutally short.” Sounds smart in theory. But when you’ve written across formats, industries, voices, goals… where do you even begin to cut? I had a 48-page monster at one point. No joke. Trimming it under 20 felt like butchering my own brain. I wanted to show how I think. How I fix things. How I don’t just write but also diagnose, adapt and solve. But there’s no template for that. Some people want one viral campaign. Some want your SEO work. Some want strategy. Some want humour. Some want proof you can handle the boring stuff. And all of them want it fast. So I did what felt right. I threw out the idea of a “perfect” portfolio. Instead, I tried to build something that reflects how I think and how I work through problems (here and there). I added a few breakdowns. Yes, I’ve included some of my best work. But I’ve also added the messy ones. The practical ones. The ones that didn’t win awards but made a real difference for the brand. Because that’s the work that taught me the most. My portfolio’s still flawed. It always will be. A writer’s portfolio is a living thing. You don’t finish it… you revisit it. With better clarity. Sharper judgement. New scars. So no, I didn’t make it brutally short. But I did make it brutally honest. And if that’s not enough? Well… I’m not writing for everyone anyway. Attaching the PDF below, if you’re curious. P.S. I suck at Canva (like, truly Olympic-level bad). All design crimes are my own. Feedback (and forgiveness) welcome. . . . . . #portfolio #writing #content #contentwriting #LinkedIn

Let me ask you this: Does your portfolio reflect the work you actually want to be hired to do? If your answer is, “Yeah! I want to be an instructional designer!” ...that’s not what I mean. I’m talking about the kind of instructional designer you want to be. Do you want to design courses? Build systems? Lead strategy? Improve performance? Facilitate change? Because here’s the thing…most portfolios default to the same stuff: ✅ Storyline modules ✅ Rise demos ✅ Job aids about the ADDIE process And that’s totally fine (minus the ADDIE job aid)....if that’s the kind of work you want to do. But not every ID role involves eLearning. Not every L&D professional is a course creator. And not every portfolio needs to be packed with eLearning examples. Your portfolio isn’t just a box to check. It’s a positioning tool. A statement. A signal. It should help you attract the kind of work that lights you up, and quietly filter out the stuff that doesn’t. Ya know, when I built my first portfolio, I learned this the hard way. I thought the goal was to showcase everything I was capable of. So I loaded it up: presentations I’d designed, facilitator guides I’d created, eLearning courses I’d built, videos I’d edited—everything. My thinking at the time was: “The more I include, the more capable I’ll look.” But what actually happened? Hiring managers couldn’t tell what I specialized in. And I kept getting inquiries about work I didn’t even want to do. That experience taught me a valuable lesson: Your portfolio mirrors your focus. Get specific, or get overlooked. So if your goal is to land work you enjoy and work you’re great at, then your portfolio has to tell that story. Show the kind of work you want to be hired for. Be intentional. Be specific. And don’t be afraid to leave things out. Because clarity isn’t limiting, it’s powerful. 👉 If you want to see what it looks like to build a portfolio without any eLearning examples, check out my latest video with the link down in the comments! Have a great week! 👋 Tim #eLearning #InstructionalDesign #LearningAndDevelopment

Obsessing over keywords is so 2003. Focusing on your audience's needs is the real key to SEO success. When you create content that genuinely helps people, you'll naturally attract more organic traffic, build a loyal following, and improve your search rankings. Here's how to put your audience first: ✅ Understand your target audience: ↳ Conduct thorough research to identify their pain points, interests, and search habits. Use tools like Google Analytics, SEMrush, and AnswerThePublic to gather data. ✅ Create valuable content: ↳ Focus on providing solutions, answering questions, and offering unique perspectives. Don't just regurgitate information that's already available online. ✅ Promote your content strategically: ↳ Share your content on the platforms where your target audience hangs out. Engage in relevant communities and build relationships with influencers. Here's what to avoid: ❎ Keyword stuffing: ↳ Cramming keywords into your content will hurt your rankings and turn off your readers. Focus on natural language and user experience. ❎ Ignoring search intent: ↳ Don't just target keywords with high search volume. Make sure your content aligns with what users are actually searching for. ❎ Creating content for search engines, not humans: ↳ Google's algorithm is sophisticated enough to detect thin, low-quality content. Write for your audience first, and search engines second. Put your audience at the heart of your SEO strategy, and you'll reap the rewards. What's your biggest challenge when it comes to understanding your target audience? Share in the comments! #SEO #ContentMarketing

Beyond the Brag: Building Your "Impact Portfolio" Before Promo Season Hits It's promo season at Google, and I'm helping colleagues craft their promo packets. This behind-the-scenes look reveals a crucial truth: building your "impact portfolio" before the pressure hits is key. The promo process at Google (and many other companies) involves telling a compelling story of your contributions, backed by evidence, to convince peers you deserve a promotion. It can sometimes feel like bragging. But waiting until promo season to gather evidence is like cramming for a final exam. Instead, let's approach our careers with a continuous "impact portfolio" mindset. ✨ Capture "Impact Moments" Regularly ✨ Don't wait for formal reviews. As you complete projects, launch initiatives, or solve complex problems, document the key details: what you did, the impact it had, and any quantifiable results. Think of it as your own personal "highlight reel." ✨ Reframe "Bragging" as Storytelling ✨ Self-advocacy isn't about showing-off; it's about telling a compelling story of your contributions. Focus on the "why" behind your work and the value it created. ✨ Seek Feedback Beyond Performance Reviews ✨ Proactively ask for feedback throughout the year. Not just on what you did, but on how you did it. This provides valuable insights into your strengths and areas for growth. ✨ Build Your Network ✨ Your network is your extended "impact portfolio." People who have witnessed your contributions firsthand can be powerful advocates. Nurture those relationships. ✨ Quantify Your Impact ✨ Whenever possible, use numbers and data to illustrate your accomplishments. "Increased efficiency by X%," "Saved the team Y hours," "Led to Z revenue." These metrics make your impact tangible. The goal isn't just to ace the promo packet. It's to build a consistent narrative of impact that reflects your growth and value over time. When it comes time to advocate for yourself, you won't be scrambling to remember your accomplishments. You'll have a rich portfolio of evidence, ready to tell your story. If you haven't started building your impact portfolio, there's no better time than now. Your future self will thank you.

Your website banner occupies 60% of the first fold. Yet only 1 out of 8 websites get it right. This results in: - Higher bounce rate - Difficult product discovery - Lower conversions and revenue In this example, I'll be breaking down 7 essentials of a homepage banner. So you make the most of that real estate. 1. Show your top sellers or top categories in the banner. Take your shoppers into this high converting funnel. Increasing chances of them buying. 2. If you have a sale ongoing, have that as the 1st banner. Show why you are on sale (e.g. Clearance, End of Season). Add an end date to create urgency. 3. Have a short CTA with action verbs. Like 'Shop', 'Explore'. This increase your CTR. 4. Make it clear where the shopper goes to once they click. Like - 'Shop Bestsellers', 'Shop Yoga Mats', avoid a generic 'Shop Now'. 5. Keep your banner copy short. 3-5 words title. 6-10 words sub-copy. Use keywords here that tell product benefits/USPs. 6. Use aspirational images. Have model images or product shots which are done in a setting. That show your brand's personality. 7. If having multiple banners, keep the same image + text layout for all. This keeps them oriented and makes the site look professional. UX/UI practices to remember: - Use colors that go with your branding  - Use a CTA color that stands out - 12px+ font size for sub-copy - 16px+ font size for title - Title in bold   What to avoid: - Taking shoppers to company pages - White images without personality - Low quality, blurred images - Auto-scroll sliders - Heavy images Want to know if your banner is performing? Check your heat maps. If the click through rate is below 5%, you've got a problem. Don't make your banner a missed opportunity.  Keep an eye for these little details. Found this useful? Let me know in the comments.

I've helped 20+ VC-backed startups drive profitable growth. One core element of that is messaging uplifts. If you're a B2B startup, here’s how to nail yours: But first, let’s unpack why startups do such a bad job with their messaging especially on websites. They try to cram everything onto it, thinking it's their most important page. But here's the reality: 🦗 Your homepage gets little traffic initially 🎯 Most visitors land on campaign landing pages instead 🕵️ Those who do visit your homepage are often referrals The solution: Reframe your homepage as a referral and navigation tool. Think of it as a one-page pitch with clear pathways to other crucial information. Here's how to structure it: 1. ABOVE THE FOLD ↳ Value prop headline - benefit led statement (under 10 words) Example: "Pay the world." ↳ 25-word max product description - what the product allows you to do  Example: "Your business and customers can send payments to—and accept payments in—every corner of the world. Instantly." ↳ CTA to "Why us" page TIP: This section gets the most attention. Make it count! 2. JUST UNDER THE FOLD ↳ Social proof (customer logos, ratings, press coverage) ↳ CTA to case studies WHY: Build trust quickly with recognizable names and success stories. 3. FURTHER DOWN ↳ 3 lead benefits (not features!) ↳ Key product distinctive capabilities  ↳ CTA to product page REMEMBER: Benefits solve problems. Features are just tools. 4. WRAP UP ↳ Final CTA (e.g., book a demo) PRO TIP: Make this CTA stand out. It's your last chance to convert! This blueprint helps your homepage quickly answer: ↳ What do you do? ↳ Who do you serve? ↳ Why should they care? Key components to include: 🎯 Clear value proposition 🤝 Social proof  💡 Benefits and capabilities  🧭 Intuitive navigation If you follow the above plan, you should get a vastly superior UI/UX and double-digit growth in conversions. What's your biggest homepage challenge? AMA in the comments 👇

The psychology behind CTAs that convert: (5 lessons from billions of emails sent) Your CTA (Call-to-Action) isn’t just a button or a link. It’s the moment where all your effort pays off. But here’s the truth: Most CTAs fail because they don’t consider the psychology behind what drives someone to click. Here are 5 CTA strategies I’ve tested that consistently drive higher conversions (and why they work): 1. Make the action feel easy: Instead of: “Complete Your Registration” I tested: “Get Started in 60 Seconds” Why this works: People avoid tasks that feel time-consuming or overwhelming. A CTA that emphasizes speed and simplicity lowers resistance. 2. Use urgency to create momentum: Instead of: “Sign Up for the Sale” I tested: “Ends Tonight: Claim Your 50% Off” Why this works: A deadline taps into FOMO (fear of missing out), pushing people to act now instead of “later.” 3. Highlight a benefit, not a feature: Instead of: “Learn More” I tested: “See How We Boosted Revenue by 27%” Why this works: People don’t want to “learn”. They want outcomes. A benefit-focused CTA paints a clear picture of the value they’ll receive. 4. Be specific, not generic: Instead of: “Click Here” I tested: “Download Your Free Email Template” Why this works: Clarity builds trust. When someone knows exactly what they’ll get, they’re far more likely to click. 5. Match your CTA to their stage in the journey: Instead of: “Buy Now” on a first touchpoint I tested: “Get a Free Demo” Why this works: Asking for too much, too soon, feels pushy. Tailoring your CTA to where the customer is in their decision-making process creates a smoother path to conversion. --- The Big Lesson: Your CTA shouldn’t be an afterthought. It’s the bridge between interest and action. Small tweaks like emphasizing speed, clarity, or outcomes can make a massive difference. What’s the best-performing CTA you’ve tested? Drop it in the comments.

Accessibility in development isn’t about adding extras, it’s about writing better code from the get-go. Simple habits that can help are: ✅ Use button elements for buttons → <button> works everywhere, while <div role="button"> needs extra work (and often breaks). A button being a better button if it's a button, wow can you imagine? ✅ Label form fields properly → <label for="email"> ensures everyone knows what they’re filling out, including screen readers and autofill. ✅ Make clickable areas big enough → Small touch targets frustrate everyone, especially on touch screens. ✅ Don’t remove focus styles → If you hide focus indicators, keyboard users get lost. Instead, make them your own: design them to fit your UI and brand design. Don't forget that they still need to pass 3:1 color contrast. ✅ Test with a keyboard → Speaking of focus indicators: Can you navigate your site without a mouse? Well, have you tried? This is where the custom focus indicator will either shine or embarrass you. Good code isn’t just functional, it’s usable. And that’s what sets great developers apart. Accessibility isn’t an add-on, it’s what makes you great at your job.