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Module 2.1

Website Platforms & Structure

PRC 112: Digital Marketing Practicum

Faculty of Management Studies • Pokhara University

Duration: 1 hour

Session Objectives

By the end of this session, you will be able to:

  • ✅ Compare website platform options
  • ✅ Choose the right platform for your project
  • ✅ Structure a simple, effective website

Why Your Website Matters

Your website is your digital home base. Social media platforms can change algorithms or shut down, but your website is yours forever.

  • 24/7 availability to showcase your brand
  • Complete control over design and messaging
  • Central hub for all marketing activities
  • Builds credibility and trust
  • Captures leads and drives conversions

Website Platform Options

Let's explore the best options for getting started quickly:

1. WordPress.com (Managed)

✅ Pros

  • Easy to use, no coding needed
  • Free plan available
  • Many themes & plugins
  • Great for blogs
  • SEO-friendly

❌ Cons

  • Limited customization on free plan
  • Ads on free sites
  • Custom domain costs extra

Best for: Blogs, content-heavy sites, small businesses

2. Wix

✅ Pros

  • Drag-and-drop builder
  • Beautiful templates
  • All-in-one platform
  • Good mobile optimization
  • Built-in SEO tools

❌ Cons

  • Can't switch templates later
  • Less flexible than WordPress
  • Wix branding on free plan

Best for: Portfolios, small business sites, quick launches

3. Google Sites

✅ Pros

  • Completely free
  • Super simple to use
  • Integrates with Google tools
  • No ads
  • Reliable hosting

❌ Cons

  • Very limited design options
  • Basic features only
  • Not great for SEO

Best for: Class projects, internal sites, simple portfolios

4. Landing Page Builders

If you just need a single page to capture leads or promote an offer:

  • Carrd: Single-page sites, very affordable ($19/year)
  • Linktree: Link-in-bio page (free, great for social media)
  • Notion: Turn Notion pages into public websites (free)
  • Google Forms + Site: Simple lead capture (free)

Platform Comparison Table

Platform Ease of Use Cost Best For
WordPress.com ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Free-$25/mo Blogs, Content sites
Wix ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Free-$29/mo Portfolio, Business
Google Sites ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Free Simple, Quick projects
Carrd ⭐⭐⭐⭐ $19/year Single-page sites

Essential Website Pages

The 3-Page Minimum

  1. Home: What you do, who you help, clear call-to-action
  2. About: Your story, credentials, why people should trust you
  3. Contact/CTA: How to reach you or take action (form, email, social links)

Bonus pages: Services, Portfolio, Blog, Testimonials, FAQ

Homepage Structure

Essential Elements:

  1. Hero Section: Compelling headline + subheadline + CTA
  2. Value Proposition: What makes you different?
  3. Social Proof: Testimonials, logos, stats
  4. Features/Services: What you offer (3-6 items)
  5. Call-to-Action: Clear next step
  6. Footer: Contact info, links, legal

About Page Best Practices

  • Tell your story: Why you started, your journey
  • Show credentials: Education, experience, achievements
  • Build trust: Photos, testimonials, certifications
  • Connect emotionally: Share your mission and values
  • Include CTA: Don't let them hit a dead end

Remember: It's not just about YOU—show how you help THEM

Contact Page Essentials

Must-Have Elements

  • Contact form
  • Email address
  • Phone number (optional)
  • Physical address (if relevant)
  • Social media links
  • Business hours

Nice-to-Have

  • Google Maps embed
  • FAQ section
  • Response time expectation
  • Alternative contact methods
  • Chat widget

Call-to-Action (CTA) Best Practices

❌ Weak CTAs

  • "Click here"
  • "Submit"
  • "Learn more"

✅ Strong CTAs

  • "Get Your Free Guide"
  • "Start My Trial"
  • "Book a Free Consultation"
  • "Download the Checklist"

Formula: Action Verb + Value/Benefit

Hands-On Activity

Activity: Choose Platform & Create Structure

  1. Pick your platform (WordPress, Wix, Google Sites, or Carrd)
  2. Select a template/theme that fits your brand
  3. Set up basic structure with Home, About, Contact pages
  4. Add placeholder content (we'll enhance in next sessions)

Time: 20-30 minutes to set up and explore

Common Platform Mistakes

  • ❌ Choosing based on popularity, not needs
  • ❌ Picking overly complex platform for simple needs
  • ❌ Not considering mobile responsiveness
  • ❌ Ignoring future scalability
  • ❌ Not testing before committing

Quick Tips for Success

  • ✨ Start simple: You can always add complexity later
  • 🎯 Think mobile first: Most visitors will be on phones
  • 📝 Content over design: Good content beats pretty design
  • ⚡ Test everything: Click all links, test all forms
  • 🔄 Iterate: Your first version doesn't need to be perfect

Resources & Tools

  • Platforms: WordPress.com, Wix.com, Carrd.co, sites.google.com
  • Templates: ThemeForest, TemplateMonster, platform marketplaces
  • Images: Unsplash, Pexels, Pixabay (free stock photos)
  • Icons: Font Awesome, Flaticon, Icons8

Session Wrap-Up

What We Covered:

  • ✅ Compared 4 major website platforms
  • ✅ Understood essential page structure
  • ✅ Set up basic website framework

Coming Up Next:

Module 2.2: UX Principles & Basic SEO

Thank You!

Your Digital Foundation is Taking Shape

Next: Module 2.2 - UX Principles & Basic SEO

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