Marketing for Designers with Masha Koyen

#47 Building a strategic website that attracts and converts with Cathleen Barnes


Listen Later

Ah, how we all love gorgeous websites! I’m always admiring beautifully designed sites of my peers, competitors and interior designers that I serve. The smart navigation, bold graphics, sexy fonts! But just like function is vital  to a well designed home, so is strategy to a website.

Is your website for your interior design business bringing in clients? A beautiful design might catch the eye, but if your site isn’t strategic, it’s not doing the heavy lifting. Today, we’re getting into what really makes a website work – data-driven strategy and purposeful design that actually leads visitors to take action.

Joining me is Cathleen Barnes, a website designer who’s all about results. She shares how interior designers can elevate their websites with strategic design to attract high-end clients who are ready to hire. If you’re ready for a website that goes beyond looks and starts converting, this episode is for you.

What you’ll learn in this episode

  • Why most designer websites miss out on conversions and how to change that

  • A powerful approach to ensure your website works as a strategic tool, not just an online portfolio

  • How high-end clients evaluate websites differently—and what yours needs to stand out

  • Strategies for a website that both attracts and converts, taking visitors from interest to action

  • The importance of case studies and intentional content for building credibility

  • Memorable quotes:

    • "Websites work in a very similar fashion... yes, they should be beautiful, but there are so many pieces that make a website strategic."

    • "An inspector tool... shows me exactly what they're doing, what they're clicking, and where they're getting stuck."

    • "When you know your ideal client, you can craft focused messaging around that. They’ll read it and say, 'I get you.'"

    • "I recommend turning your portfolio into a case study... so high-end clients see the full process and results."

    • "If your website isn't getting at least one out of every hundred visitors to take action, you’re missing out."

    • "Generic testimonials are boring... they don't tell me anything about the outcomes."

    • Key highlights:

      • Understanding your ideal client is key to a high-converting website.

      • A strategic website has a purpose for every page, not just aesthetics.

      • Simple, purposeful navigation keeps visitors engaged.

      • Transform your portfolio into case studies to showcase the design process.

      • Effective use of call-to-actions can increase conversions.

      • Integrating inspector tools gives insight into user behavior on the site.

      • Use specific testimonials to build trust, rather than generic ones.

      • Connect with Cathleen:

        • Instagram

        • Website

        • Connect with Masha:

          Need help with messaging strategy or copywriting for your interior design website? Connect with me, your host Masha Koyen, Messaging Strategist and Copywriter for interior designers:

          • FREE GUIDE: 7 strategies to attract affluent clients

          • Weekly marketing tips

          • Masha’s Instagram

          • Masha’s Website

          • Book a call with Masha

          • ...more
            View all episodesView all episodes
            Download on the App Store

            Marketing for Designers with Masha KoyenBy Masha Koyen

            • 5
            • 5
            • 5
            • 5
            • 5

            5

            7 ratings


            More shows like Marketing for Designers with Masha Koyen

            View all
            The Amy Porterfield Show by Amy Porterfield

            The Amy Porterfield Show

            4,562 Listeners

            A Well-Designed Business® | Interior Design  Business Podcast by LuAnn Nigara

            A Well-Designed Business® | Interior Design Business Podcast

            760 Listeners

            The Goal Digger Podcast by Jenna Kutcher

            The Goal Digger Podcast

            12,068 Listeners

            The Kate Show by Socialite Agency

            The Kate Show

            97 Listeners

            Business of Home Podcast by Business of Home, Dennis Scully

            Business of Home Podcast

            380 Listeners

            The goop Podcast by Goop, Inc. and Audacy

            The goop Podcast

            6,660 Listeners

            Designed by Wingnut Social | Interior Design Business by Darla Powell

            Designed by Wingnut Social | Interior Design Business

            240 Listeners

            Dear Alice | Interior Design by Alice Lane

            Dear Alice | Interior Design

            1,460 Listeners

            Resilient by Design with Rebecca Hay by Rebecca Hay

            Resilient by Design with Rebecca Hay

            40 Listeners

            Designed for the Creative Mind by Michelle Lynne

            Designed for the Creative Mind

            46 Listeners

            Trade Tales by Business of Home, Kaitlin Petersen

            Trade Tales

            73 Listeners

            The Mel Robbins Podcast by Mel Robbins

            The Mel Robbins Podcast

            19,372 Listeners

            The Business of Beautiful Spaces, Interior Design Podcast by Laura Thornton, Interior Designer

            The Business of Beautiful Spaces, Interior Design Podcast

            17 Listeners

            The Designer Within - John McClain by John McClain

            The Designer Within - John McClain

            18 Listeners