How to actually many money whilst you sleep

It's cliche isn't it. The whole "make money whilst you sleep" idea. And I hate to sound like one of those preachy business consultants, but the real way to make money while you sleep is by having a well-designed website.

How? Imagine this: you go to bed at night, and while you're sleeping, your website is out there booking clients, responding to inquiries, and even generating leads.

In my years of working with business owners, there’s a common misconception that a website is just a digital business card. Your digital shop window that excited users but doesn't necessarily convert them. But (spoiler alert), if your website isn't converting your visitors and making you money whilst you sleep, you're simply not making the most of it.

In this blog post, we’ll dive into five practical ways to turn your website into a self-sustaining machine that works even when you don’t. Think of it as your very own, round-the-clock customer service rep, lead generator, and salesperson, all rolled into one.

1. Integrate an Online Booking System

Your website should be able to handle basic customer interactions without needing your constant attention. Whether you’re a therapist, a yoga instructor, or a hairdresser, an online booking system is a game-changer. It allows your clients to book an appointment or a session anytime, even at 2 a.m.

How to Implement This:

• On Wix, use the Wix Bookings app to create a scheduling system.

• On Squarespace, use the scheduling feature or integrate an external tool like Acuity Scheduling (I have a 20% discount code for this as part of being a Squarespace circle member if you want some help setting it up!).

2. Automate Your Email Communications

No one wants to spend hours sending email reminders or follow-ups, right? With automation, you don’t have to. Automatic email systems can send out appointment confirmations, thank-you notes, or even follow-ups after a service.

How to Implement This:

• On Wix, use the Automation tool to set up personalised triggers—e.g., send a confirmation email once a booking is complete.

• On Squarespace, check out the third-party integrations like Mailchimp or Zapier to set up automated workflows.

3. Create a Lead Capture System

Visitors might not be ready to book right away, but you can encourage them to stay connected by offering a lead capture form. Think downloadable freebies, newsletters, or even a discount code. Instead of letting them leave and never return, give them a reason to stay connected and a chance to turn them into customers at a later date.

Not sure what your lead magnet could be? I find ChatGPT to be a great brainstorming tool! Tell it about your business, what you offer customers, and who your ideal customer is. Then take some of the ideas it generates them and develop it with your team to create something genuinely valuable that will keep you front of mind for these potential customers.

4. Provide an FAQ Section

Think about the most common questions your clients ask. Now imagine answering those questions 100 times in a row. Exhausting, right? That’s where an FAQ section comes in, saving you AND your customers time.

How to Implement This:

• On Wix, use the FAQ widget, which comes pre-designed for ease of setup.

• For Squarespace, use a text or FAQ block and organise questions into categories.

5. Set Up Repeat Purchase Automation

If your business offers services that clients book repeatedly—like haircuts, yoga sessions, or coaching—you need to make it easy for them to come back. Automating the process can turn one-time customers into repeat clients without a second thought.

Use reminders for upcoming sessions or automatic rebooking options. It’s convenient for them and means steady business for you.

How to Implement This:

• On Wix, set up email reminders for upcoming appointments or follow-ups.

• On Squarespace, use third-party integrations like Calendly or another CRM tool to send reminders.

Ready to make money whilst you sleep?

Your website isn’t just a place for pretty pictures and a phone number. It’s the actual answer to that elusive 'how do I make money while I sleep' question you keep asking yourself.

Not sure where to start with these tips? That’s where I come in. At Elevating Ecom, we specialise in creating websites that work as hard as you do. From set-up to strategy, we’ve got you covered. Let’s chat about how we can make your dream website a reality.