Weaving the Web of Connection: The Power of Storytelling in Website Design
Your Story is Your Superpower
As I write this I’m sitting on a bench in a beautiful park overlooking Lake Tahoe. The sun is shining, and my dog Kona is alternating between playing with her pink ball and laying in the shade with her (also pink) tongue hanging out. It’s warm, but breezy, and the contrast of a summer-like day with snow covered mountains in the distance is a reminder of just how wild and gorgeous this world is. I’m reflecting on my cross country road trip, especially the people I’ve met and how they’ve altered my days in the best ways. Their story, their perspective, their secret spots and suggestions for our visit - it always changes my thoughts, and often our plans, for the better.
Sharing stories and forming connections is what life is all about.
And if you’re enjoying this so far, it might have something to do with the way I started it, as a story.
In this blog, I’m diving into the enchanting world of storytelling and exploring how it can change your life and business for the better.
The Power of Storytelling
Why Storytelling Matters
As humans, we are drawn to storytelling. Stories have been used throughout history as a means of passing down cultural values, traditions, and wisdom from one generation to another. They can entertain as much as they can teach important principles. By engaging with stories, people internalize messages from others in a memorable and impactful way. And it starts as soon as we are born, sometimes before! Think about it - many parents read to or share stories with their children before they are born, or as soon as they enter the world. And as babies grow, they communicate in their own ways, eventually becoming excited about sharing their own stories with those around them.
When I was teaching pre-k there was no shortage of storytelling. In fact, beyond the hundreds of day to day stories that these 4 and 5 year olds came in ready to share regardless of who was listening, we incorporated an entire storytelling curriculum into our weekly plans because we wanted to empower and encourage these little minds to share and expand their stories, forever.
Storytelling can foster connection, engage emotions, and make messages more memorable. And just as much as it helps children to understand the world around them, and travelers to learn about new places and cultures, it can help small businesses stand out in a crowded digital landscape.
Storytelling in Website Design
A Website as a Storytelling Medium
Weaving some storytelling magic into your website can offer many benefits. It doesn’t mean talking about yourself the whole time, it means sharing relatable tales that hook your audience’s attention, and makes them feel seen and excited to journey around your site and see all you have to offer. So how do you do it?! Whether you’re working with a website designer or doing it yourself, weaving storytelling into your site starts BEFORE you actually start developing the actual website. Here are some action steps to get started.
Action Steps
1. Reflect
Your narrative is a reflection of who you are and what you offer to the world. It is through the power of your genuine voice that you can inspire, uplift, and build lasting connections. Take a moment to reflect on your own story, those moments that make you shine and connect with others. Find those gems that align with your brand, your goals, and your audience, like puzzle pieces waiting to be put together. What are your unique selling points? What core values drive you forward? What is your goal in having a website?
2. Visualize
Select visuals, colors, and typography that align with you and your brand story. What colors and visuals align with the feelings you are hoping to invoke in others as they view your website? Next, think about your website layout: make it easy and exciting for your audience to move around your website story and take the action you desire them to take. What pages do you need? What do you want visitors to do on your site and how can you make it both easy and exciting for them?
3. Write
Whether it’s on paper, a note in your phone, or a google doc, start writing. Think about what you have reflected on and visualized, and begin to tie it all together with headlines and stories for the pages and sections of your website. Write, edit, and repeat, until it feels like it fully and genuinely conveys your unique story and brand message.
Let’s Wrap This Story Up …
Easier said than done? It may seem that way, but storytelling is your secret superpower. Embrace it, experiment with it, and let it infuse life into your website and your conversations.
Remember that behind every story is an opportunity to touch someone's heart, inspire change, or spark a connection, and there are so many authentic ways to weave storytelling into your business.
