Finding your values: the key to building a website and running a business

In the past, I edited promotional videos for large company events. The video that was the most banal and the one I didn't connect with the most was a "values ​​video" This is actually a video that presents the company's values ​​along the way in the animation of pop-up words.

There is a situation that this is the reason why I became allergic to the word values ​​and did not attach too much importance to them. I recently started coaching studies at the Adler Institute - the studies are very in-depth and through them I learned how to understand what values ​​motivate me and how they help me in dealing with conflicts and different choices in my life.

I believe that a small business, especially if managed by one person, cannot be separated from the values ​​that motivate us and on the contrary can help us in dealing with different situations such as a conflict with a client, is it time to expand the business, which supplier to choose to work with, which materials to use and more and more

In this article I chose to focus on how to find the values ​​that motivate us and how it can help us for example in building a website.

So how the hell do I know what my values ​​are?

: There are several methods - I chose to focus on the three that helped me.

1. Introspection : First, take time to observe yourself. Ask yourself what are the things that are really important to you? What are the things you are not willing to compromise on? Try to remember different situations in your life - how did you act, how did you react?

2. Investigation : Talk to people you trust and ask them what values ​​they see in you. Sometimes, the outside angle can provide interesting insights.

3. Limitation : Another thing that can help is to use a list of values ​​(there are many on the net) from which to choose the values ​​that you identify with the most, then rank between 3 and 5 values ​​in order of importance.

How can your values ​​help in building the site?

Your personal values ​​are the driving force behind everything you do, especially in business. When you build a website, it is the home of your personal brand or your business, so your values ​​should be embedded in it. Here are some ways in which your values ​​can influence the construction of the site:

Website design: Your values ​​can affect the palette of colors, the images you choose, the type of graphics, and even the fonts. For example, if one of your values ​​is "simplicity", your website can be minimalistic and clean and the user experience clear and simple.

*Your values ​​can influence the content you write. If one of your main values ​​is transparency or reliability, you will want to ensure that the information you provide is accurate and reliable and that there is all the required information - clear prices, opinions, a clear policy regarding exchanges and returns, questions and answers, a clear and unambiguous "about" about who is the face behind the business (It is also possible to attach a photo).

*The communication you maintain through the website, whether it is in a contact form, opinion or social media, can be influenced by your values. For example, if availability is a key value, you can place a prominent contact form on the main page or a plugin that leads directly to WhatsApp.

*The way you explain your products or services, the main message you convey, and even a call to action can be influenced by your values.

For example, if humor is an important value, use it in the website's language and microcopy.

If feminism is a guiding value - use feminine or multi-gender language.

More examples: Social donation - define that 10% of the revenue will go to a donation to the organization that the customers choose. Family - put family photos or family stories in the blog. Sharing - Share your customers in the work processes or let them influence with surveys and votes.

Tradition - If the site deals with a traditional technique such as ceramics, combine the tradition with stories or pictures.

When your values ​​are the center of your website, your customers will feel the authenticity in it. They can connect with him on a deeper level, which can lead to higher engagement and a reliable, long-term relationship.

Finally - the personal values ​​are where we start and where we return when we need to be reminded why we started the business in the first place. They are your engine, your inspiration, and they are your way to succeed.