By now you've seen someone post, something like this, in your favorite peer to peer Facebook group:

"Hi, I want to build my own website. What did you use to build your website?"

Usually the replies go like this:
Weebly
Wix
Wix
Squarespace
Weebly
Wordpress
Wordpress

All over the place, right? And you'll often notice that people LOVED whatever platform they used. But which is the best?

I can tell you, ALL of these platforms create BEAUTIFUL website (when used correctly).
ALL of these platforms also come at an affordable price.  (Weebly and Wix could be completely free but then you are stuck with their name in your URL and on your website; please don't do that).

The real question you need to ask is "Which of these platforms is right for ME."

To figure out which platform is right for you here's what you need to do (note: this is exactly what I did when I needed a new website a few years ago):

• Get some photos ready. These photos don't have to be perfect but you will want to spend about 10 minutes going through Pixabay gathering some free photos that may work for your website. You are going to want to see how hard/easy it is to create a website with big beautiful images.
• Next, carve out 4 hours in your schedule. You can schedule all 4 hours at once or pick 4 1-hour time slots over a period of 4 days.
• Sit down at your computer (not your phone or tablet) and spend 1 hour creating a website using Wix, 1 hour creating a website using Weebly, and so on.
• Important note: Wix, Weebly and Squrespace will all let you try the platforms for free.  You'll create an account and be ready to go. Wordpress is more complicated and you'll have to spend at least $5 (hosting fee) to try out Wordpress.org (this is the one that everyone uses. Watch this great video that talks about your WP options. .
• If you don't know what 5 pages every website should have, watch my webinar. It's a good place to get you started.

AFTER you do this 4 hour testing period, ask yourself:

• Which platform was easiest to use?
• Which platform gave you the best results in an hour?
• Which platform had you pulling out your hair!

For me, Weebly (affiliate link) was the CLEAR winner.  

The website you are on right now is a Weebly website.  I actually love Weebly so much, that I now teach others how to build Weebly websites.  You can learn more about my next class here.

As always, if you have questions, just comment on this blog. I'll get back to you :)

In my webinar on The 5 Pages Your Website Must Have, I talk about how head shots are mandatory!  

The Birth Workers featured in this blog, offered up their head shots for the world to see. As you may notice, they are setting the industry standard and YOU need to keep up. 

I also want you to take note that MANY of them paid NOTHING for their photo.  Some had friends take their picture and others traded their services.

Do YOU want a free head shot too?  In my Launch with Laura class I go over how to get a head shot and what to do during the shoot.  I also talk about my rookie mistake (knowing it will save you time and money.

A huge thanks to everyone who participated!