One of the most exciting steps in launching your beauty business is completing your website! But it can seem like a daunting (and potentially expensive) task.

You don’t have to pay thousands for a professional website! Online tools make it possible to design your own website, even if you have no design experience. 

Having an online presence is important. Your website will not only provide a way for customers to purchase your products online, but also give them a chance to get to know you and your brand. 

Read on to find out how to set up a successful website for your beauty brand. 

The Best Platform for Your Beauty Brand Website

There are plenty of options for your website platform. Shopify, Weebly, WordPress, Squarespace, and Wix all allow you to set up your website without coding or complex technology skills.

In my experience, Shopify is the best platform for a new beauty business. Shopify’s drag-and-drop interface is simple and easy, but it still looks professional. It also offers over 70 templates to choose from, so you’ll have no trouble finding options that fit you and your brand. 

It’s also built for e-commerce, so setting up your website for online purchases is simple and straightforward. It is compatible with over 70 payment gateways, so you’ll be able to set up payments no matter which method you use. 

Shopify also offers a variety of apps and integrations that make it easy to set up email marketing campaigns, change your shop design, or display coupons. Adapting your website is easy. 

Many famous beauty brands rely on Shopify for their websites, including Kylie Cosmetics, Colourpop Cosmetics, and Tattly. 

Keep it Simple at First

Starting your website doesn’t have to be a complex beast. You can start simple with just a few basic pages, then add more if you choose later on.

To start, you’ll need a home page, an about us page, a product or catalog page. (If you decide to sell wholesale, you’ll also want a page for that.) 

The only other page you might want to start with is a blog page. Incorporating a blog will help with SEO and online visibility, and it’s a great way to build relationships with your customers and influencers. You can showcase new products, give product tutorials, or provide other useful information for your audience. 

Keep in mind that you want your website set up for sales. It should be easy for your customers to locate products and order. 

What to Include on Your Product Pages

Your product listings and pages can make the difference between a customer purchasing from you or not. They should include a clear and beautiful product photo, a compelling product description, and, if possible, photos of your product on different models. 

If you’re selling cosmetics, show your lipsticks or eyeshadows on models with different skin shades. If you’re selling hair care products, you can show how they work with different hair types. Your customers should be able to make an informed decision about how your products will look on them 

Taking Great Product Photos

Having high-quality photos is crucial for a beauty business, but you don’t need to hire a photographer. You can do it yourself using the camera on your smartphone. 

You want to make sure that the lighting is right. Natural light is a great way to make your photos look nice. You can take pictures near the window or outside. If natural light isn’t an option, make sure the room is well-lit with plenty of overhead light. 

You can use colored paper or fabric for your photo backgrounds. Choose colors that contrast well with your products and don’t pull focus away from your products. Stick with backgrounds that fit your branding.

Make sure that you hold your phone steady or use a phone tripod to keep your pictures sharp, clear, and focused. You can also use the editing function on your phone or use an online editor like Snapseed. 

Incorporate Email Marketing with Your Site

As you set up your site, you’ll want to incorporate email marketing sequences. Shopify integrates with programs like Privy and Klaviyo that will deliver email sequences automatically. They also include prewritten sequences that you can edit for your brand. 

You’ll need a welcome sequence to welcome new customers or subscribers. You should also set up a delivery sequence to thank customers for their orders, provide any tutorials or answers to FAQs, and tell them what happens next. Finally, you’ll need an abandoned cart sequence that will encourage customers who abandoned their purchase to return and complete their order. 

It Doesn’t Have to be Perfect

While you definitely want your website to look nice, it’s important to remember not to get stuck on every little decision. Keep it simple and stick with templates that look nice. You can also incorporate free stock photos from the internet to make your brand appear more professional. 

Remember that anything you do now can be changed later down the line. As time goes on, managing your website will seem intuitive. You’ll fall into a pattern of what works and what doesn’t. 

Are you launching a new beauty brand? If you’re just getting started with a beauty business and need more tips, Learn How to Launch a Beauty Product can help. It covers every aspect of starting a beauty business, from creating a solid foundation and getting funding to manufacturing, branding, sales, and marketing. Learn more about the course here.