How ChatGPT Helped Me Fix My Confusing Website Messaging (and Why It Can Help You Too)
*image created with OpenArt.ai
Lately, I’ve been feeling the need to update the SEO on my website.
I used to have a clear site description that was location-based, targeting Berlin-based entrepreneurs who needed help with their Squarespace websites. It was a pretty niche market, but it brought in a steady stream of organic traffic—warm leads who found me through Google searches. I’d typically get 1-4 inquiries per month, and about half of those leads became paying clients. Not bad!
However, things have changed. I’ve moved away from Berlin, expanded my services to include AI tutorials, and now work with platforms beyond Squarespace. I’ve also launched a new Substack newsletter where I share tips (and occasional tribulations) about living an alternative lifestyle outside the matrix.
But here’s the catch—my website blog is still a bit all over the place. Some posts focus on Squarespace and content marketing, while others dive into living life on your own terms. My top keywords happen to be:
- How to figure out what you want in life
- Self work
- What do I want in life
- What do you want in life answer
Notice anything? None of these keywords are directly tied to my web design and marketing services—aka how I make my living. The goal of any website is to get ranked by Google for your specific offerings, attract clients, and make money to pay the bills. But that’s not going to happen if I’m being ranked for keywords unrelated to my services. See my dilemma?
Here’s the thing—I never wanted my website to be solely dedicated to Squarespace, for example. Let’s face it - that would be SO boring! Sure, focusing purely on Squarespace content might please Google’s algorithm, and maybe after years of content, I’d land on the first page of search results, ensuring a steady flow of clients—so long as Squarespace remains relevant. But at what cost to my creativity? I’d be bored out of my mind.
So, to make a long story short (and get to the point), I turned to ChatGPT for help with this website conundrum. Here’s the exact prompt I put in:
"I need help. I have a website that features my offerings—web design, content marketing strategy—which is how I make money. But I also have a blog where I talk about living an alternative life, going against the status quo, and living life on your own terms. My target market is soulpreneurs and nonprofits, and I now offer tutorials on amplifying content marketing with AI. I feel like the messaging is confusing. My top keywords are: how to figure out what you want in life, self work, what do I want in life, what do you want in life answer."
And let me tell you, ChatGPT delivered. It suggested a new homepage headline: “Empowering Soulpreneurs & Nonprofits to Amplify Their Impact Online” and offered tips on integrating my keywords into future blog posts, like:
- “How to figure out what you want in life and apply it to your business”
- “Self-work for soulpreneurs: Building a life and business that align with your purpose”
The moral of the story: ChatGPT helped me connect the dots. I was ready to throw in the towel and start over, but with a few simple tweaks, I realized I could tie everything together without rebuilding from scratch. *Wipes sweat from brow*
ChatGPT is a TOOL, one that can help you strategize, edit, and create. Treat it like a friend, and you’ll be surprised by how helpful it can be in your creative process.
Need help getting started with Chat GPT? Reach out here for a one-hour tutoring session, where we’ll deep dive into your business, and I’ll show you how to maximize your impact using ChatGPT and other free AI tools.
What to Expect from Squarespace Circle Day + Germany Circle Day Meetup Deets
This just in…following the Squarespace Circle Day on August 24th, I'll be co-facilitating and speaking at the *virtual* Circle Day Germany Meetup on August 30th. Woo!
Before I go into details about what to expect at the Circle Day Germany Meetup, I’d like to take a moment to discuss what the heck Circle Day is and who is it for…
What is Squarespace Circle Day?
According to the website, Squarespace Circle Day claims to be the “summit for Squarespace Creators” which pretty much includes anyone who 1. currently has a Squarespace website, 2. is thinking about hopping on the Squarespace bandwagon, or 3. creates Squarespace sites for others. But honestly, after seeing the lineup of keynotes and workshop facilitators, I think Squarespace Circle Day is for any web designer or digital creator. Even if you are NOT a Squarespace fan or user, you will get something out of this summit.
Here is a list of the entire agenda. Some of the sessions will take place in person live in NYC, but a lot of them will be virtual. Unfortunately, all the tickets for the in-person summit are spoken for, but don’t be discouraged because there is a lot of value to be had on the inter-web version. Here are the sessions I am most looking forward to:
Turn Your One-Time Project Into Recurring Revenue by Clarrie Johnson
The Price is Right: How to Charge a Premium for Your Offering by Victoria Marcouillier
Brand Story Time: Building Sites That Captivate and Convert by Laura Scholes
Circle Live with Squarespace CEO and Founder, Anthony Casalena
And What About the Circle Day Germany Meetup?
The Circle Day Germany Meetup will be a place for you to stop by virtually to say hi, connect with other web designers or digital creators, and share key takeaways from the main event. There will be a few presenters including:
Myself, Webdesigner
Sarah Stark, Branding Expert and Webdesigner
Eleanor Mayrhofer, Webdesigner
Victoria Weber, Webdesigner
In addition to the aforementioned presentations, there will also be an introduction and a discussion afterward where attendees can address topics of interest related to Circle Day, give feedback, and ask questions.
If you are located in Germany and are a professional web designer or digital creator, a Squarespace fanatic, or just a curious little monkey, you can register for the virtual Germany Circle Day Meetup here.
Here's Why I Don't Offer Customizations
A long time website client recently had a request, she’s been slowly revamping her 7.0 site (instead of making the big switch to 7.1) and she wanted to create tables to showcase her offerings. She saw it on another site and liked the way it broke up the information.
I had hesitations and even drafted up a version in Squarespace that didn’t include a table which she promptly rejected. She had her heart set on a table and I wanted her to be happy so I obliged. I began the process of problem-solving, a process I usually enjoy because normally I land on a solution. But for the life of me, I could not find one this time around. Which drove me mad.
My philosophy with website building has always been “less is more”. Too many sites, especially those built DIY style, tend to be bloated, showcasing too much of the unnecessary stuff and making the actual important stuff hard to reach. Stop playing hard to get, will ya?
Anyways. I fought with it for a while and was <this close> to writing the client and telling her I give up when I had an idea, I would purchase a table-making widget, especially for Squarespace but wouldn’t you know, that turned out to be a big DISASTER. And then I had another plan, I would try outsourcing my work to one of those handy freelancer sites.
As a freelancer, I am not a big fan of these sites, you can read more about that here, but I had never tried them as a contractor. I signed up on Freelancer.com and placed the details of my project there. Within a few minutes, I was getting bombarded with offers ranging from 35 euros to 285 euros. I was also getting harassed in my messages by VERY eager people who wanted to work on the project. I quickly blocked them.
The varying offers had a lot to do with the country of origin and ultimately I decided on a woman living in India who had decent reviews and made a mutually beneficial offer. I accepted. Overall the experience was pleasant, she definitely delivered and even helped me tweak certain things with the code after the project was closed.
But…
Ultimately I decided to steer the client away from the customization altogether. Here’s why:
1/ Upon further inspection, the code was going to be cumbersome for the client to manage on her own. Every time she would need to edit the text or tweak the fonts/colors she would need to hire me. Or if I wasn’t sure, we’d have to ask the developer. This would quickly turn costly, something I am thoroughly against.
2/ When you install code or mess with the CSS on Squarespace you run the risk of distortion or misalignments on varying devices. Which is exactly what happened. When I viewed the tables on mobile, the text ran completely off the table. Not cool.
3/ Squarespace offers a lot in terms of design and functionality. You are literally paying an annual fee to use their professionally crafted designs and customer support, might as well get your money’s worth! It’s like people who stay at 5-star hotels and then spend the whole day and night out and about sightseeing. I’m the person who’d rather chill and enjoy the pool and amenities instead and catch a museum on the way to the airport.
My 2 cents: The whole thing was a good reminder of why I don’t typically offer customizations to clients and instead advise them to stick with the robust offerings of the Squarespace platform. And I advise you to do the same, especially if you are a conscious business owner who is just getting their website up and running.