Absolute beginner wanting to create brand/start a website/take payments! Advice please!

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As the title- I am hoping to set up a new business which will just be me running workshops in blocks of 6 or full day workshops. I basically need to create a brand, set up a website where people can book these and pay easily. I am dreadful with tech but need something really intuitive and easy to navigate for users and for me to manage.

I'm looking at Canva for the brand but also see they do websites. I know stripe can be used to take payments but take a cut. Anyone else set up something similar and got ideas? Budget is as low as feasible while making it look nice!

I would look at a booking diary (such as square for example) which allows you to set up classes/workshops. They will take a cut for online payments but you won't find a payment processor who will do this for free. You can create a website and link to the diary for bookings.

Amazing thanks @YesIReallyDidOK . Has anyone used Wix, Canva, GoDaddy for websites?

Maybe don't over complicate it to start off

List the work shops on event brite

Set up social media with links to the event brite
Try targeted adverts on social channels & local flyers / posters

Websites cost money to host - I'd wait and see how much money you're making before investing in that.

Hi OP, it all sounds very exciting, what area are you offering your courses in? Think other posters spot on. Websites that look good (and with a few bells and whistles like booking capability) can be very very expensive and I learnt the hard way. Had a pricey site designed and found it very difficult to use, it really compromised my business, I came to hate the bloomin’ thing. I really don’t think you necessarily need a website these days. You can market a business via Facebook and Instagram and sell tickets on Eventbrite. Knowing what I know now I’d definitely go that way if I decided to start something new. Good luck 👍

You can make a fairly aesthetically pleasing website on any of them because they are customisable, so you can use your logos, images, specific colours and fonts to ensure it ties in with your branding. As others have said, I wouldn't spend a lot on it, because unless you already have a fairly hefty social media presence already most of your customer base is going to come from social media advertising/posting in groups and industry specific advertising, rather than the website itself.

I use diary software which also has a searchable marketplace for my industry and this has got me a lot of clients. They charge a percentage of the first appointment found through them but it's worth it for new business. I'm not sure of your industry but it's worth having a look around for something like that.

Thanks all so much. @Greengagesummer65 antenatal and postnatal health!

I think diary software + instagram might be my first point of call with Canva for branding. Thanks so much!

Have a look at Book Like a Boss. You can create it all there - landing page, website (if you want - not vital at this stage), link your calendar, create booking services, and take payments all in one place.
https://www.blab.co

Hi. I don’t want to do a rain on your parade here OP but you need to be very very cautious about this - when you say you want to to workshops relating to antenatal and postnatal health , are you a registered HCP?

I would be wary. A friend of mine set up a website for his alternative therapies practice and no one ever mentioned they had looked at it apart from me.The person who set it up did not mention his name. If I hadn't known him I would have thought that was an issue as I like to check up details once I know who is the person who is running the website. He gave up in the end as he did not have enough clients.