Step 5.6: Your Website
Just like every business has its own website, we each need our own personal sites.
Websites used to cost hundreds of thousands of dollars to design, develop, test and launch. Now, everyone can have their own in less than the time that it takes to order a coffee.
In 2025, not having a personal website is like showing up to an in-person job interview dressed like it was a zoom call. Sure, you might get away with it, but why risk it?
I recommend that everyone build their own website because it forces you to take all of the Foundational Assets you’ve built and put them into something that the world will see. When you see them in the form of a website, its another beta test for you and your Personal Brand.
"But I have LinkedIn!" Cool. You also have a phone number, but you probably still have a place to live. LinkedIn is your business card. Your website? That's your house – the place where you control the narrative, set the tone, and show people who you really are.
Why is this non-negotiable?
Digital Real Estate
YourName.com isn't vanity – it's territory. If you can’t get your own name, get another that shows your creativity.
Own your name before someone else does
Control your first impression in Google searches
Build equity in your digital presence
You can also use your domain name to have your email at your own domain rather than Gmail or similar. Another Personal Brand touchpoint
24/7 Brand Ambassador
Your resume sleeps. Your LinkedIn gets lost in the noise
Your website works while you're working
It tells your story even when you're offline
It's your always-on professional presence
Platform Independence
LinkedIn changes algorithms? No problem
Twitter/X having an identity crisis? Whatever
Instagram down? Doesn't matter
You own this platform. You make the rules
Proof of Digital Literacy
Having a website in 2025 is like having an email in 2005
Shows you understand modern professional presence
Demonstrates basic digital fluency
Separates you from the "I'll get to it someday" crowd
The Game-Changing Reality:
Platforms like Squarespace and Wix have made this dummy-proof.
Templates have made design decisions automatic
Cost is less than one fancy dinner out
Time investment is less than binge-watching one Netflix series
Essentials of your personal website:
Clean, professional domain name
Clear value proposition “above the fold” - your North Star / Elevator Pitch
Your story/background - use the Personal Blurb you created earlier
Project showcase - links to your work
Contact information
Regular updates/blog (optional but powerful)
The powerups you can add later include:
Portfolio of work
Testimonials from heavy hitters
Media mentions
Thought leadership content
Newsletter signup
Downloads/resources
Remember: your website isn't just a digital resume. It does a lot of important things for you - its your professional home base, your content hub, a lead generator, a credibility builder and an opportunity magnet
The ROI is undeniable - recruiters can find you, opportunities can land in your inbox, network connections can share you, media can research you and everyone can find you
Don't overthink it - start simple, launch fast, iterate often and add value consistently.
Because here's the truth: In the attention economy, owned media isn't just an asset – it's ammunition.
Your website is your personal media company headquarters. Your digital embassy in the professional world. Your 24/7 representative in the global marketplace of ideas.
The best time to launch it was yesterday. The second best time is now.
Build it. Own it. Work it.
The internet is waiting.
Your Playbook:
Follow the steps above to build your own personal website
As you start to see your Personal Brand come to life, no doubt you will want to make edits. That’s the point.
Share with your network - we’ll cover this in the next chapter