Hi Reader!

I was at a WBL networking event a few weeks ago and met a woman with super awesome energy. She was warm, sharp, and clearly good at what she does, and within five minutes of talking with her I already had two people in mind who could be great referral partners for her.

Before I sent either of those introductions, I did what I always do first. I pulled up her website. 🤷‍♀️

Here's the thing about referrals. Your name goes with them, and if it goes well, everyone wins, but if it doesn't, it reflects back on you too.

So before I send anyone an introduction, I give their website a quick two minute look. Not deep research, just a gut check. The first thing I notice is whether the website feels like the person I just met. If someone is warm and funny in real life and their website feels stiff and corporate, that gap sticks with me, even though it doesn't mean they aren't good at what they do. It usually just means their website hasn't caught up to who they've become.

I also check whether the site matches what they told me about their business. If a photographer says she only shoots weddings and her site is full of family portraits and pet photos, I notice that too.

Then I look for proof, a couple of real testimonials or some recent client work, something that tells me other people have had a good experience.

I go deeper on this in this week's episode of Website Design Made Simple: Would I Send My Best Client to Your Website? [Episode 144]​

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If you're curious what your own website says before someone even talks to you, give it that same two minute look this week. Does it feel like you? Would you be comfortable sending your best client there today?

If something feels off and you want a second set of eyes on it, that's exactly what my coaching calls are for.

You're Invited Get Every Button on Your Website Working This Fall Most website buttons look fine and still don't work. See how I use AI to catch the CTAs quietly costing you clients this fall, live, on a real website. When: Tue, Sept 22 · 12:00pm ET Price: $17 Can't make it live? No worries, register anyway and I'll send you the replay. Save My Spot

You've got this,

P.S. The next time you meet someone great at a networking event, try the two minute test on your own site first. It's a good habit.