Are children the light of your life? Did you grow up as the most sought out babysitter in the neighborhood?
If you are interested in making extra money, now is the time to set up a babysitting side hustle. You can either start running an in-home daycare or hire out your babysitting services to individual families.
Either way you choose to go, it’s critical to set up a website for your babysitting side hustle.
This article will present some of the top reasons you need a website, and how you can set up your babysitting website all on your own.
Why Do You Need a Website for Your Babysitting Side Hustle?
It’s true. There are several websites for online babysitters to advertise services. As a seasoned babysitter, you may already be familiar with some of these sites.
For example, Care.com is an awesome website and one surefire way you can land babysitting jobs. However, it does have a few caveats. Sites like Care.com:
- Require a paid subscription
- Don’t filter out the competition from other babysitters in your area
- Only offer details from the Care.com profile
- Don’t allow for reputation management if you get a bad review
If you are already a part of Care.com, that’s great. But, here are some reasons you should also start your own babysitting website.
1. Your website will appear in the local search results.
It’s a common practice for parents to take to the internet when looking for local services. In fact, 97% of people learn more about a local company online than anywhere else.
This means if you want local moms and dads to find your babysitting services, owning a website is integral to making that happen.
2. You can more easily attract families that are a fit.
Babysitting is a highly personal service, and to experience success, you and the family must like each other.
A great way to determine if a family is a fit before you agree to a job is to detail your own personal about page.
On your about page, you can talk about who you are as a person and as a babysitter. Discuss what activities you like to do when you babysit, what expectations you have, your personality, and more.
When you control your message, you can more easily attract families that have the same interests, values, and attitudes as you.
3. You center the focus on you, and only you.
On sites like Care.com, everyone is your competitor. However, when you create your own website, you are the only babysitter parents will see.
With your own babysitting website, you can explain your services and include a contact form where parents can email or call you, and only you.
How to Build Your Babysitting Website with HostGator in 5 Simple Steps
If building websites isn’t in your repertoire of skills, don’t worry. HostGator has made it easy for any website novice to get a website up in less than a day with the Gator Website Builder.
All you have to do is follow these six easy steps, and your babysitting website will be up and running in no time. Here’s a quick review of how to get started.
Step 1: Pick a hosting plan for your babysitting side hustle website.
HostGator’s Gator Website Builder offers three pricing plans. Which one is best for your babysitting website?
Since you won’t be babysitting via computer (hopefully), you don’t need the eCommerce plan.
The starter plan includes a free domain, 200+ customizable templates, a drag-and-drop editor, cloud hosting, and website analytics.
If you know you’ll need priority support while creating and maintaining your website, opt for the premium package.
Once you’ve picked either the starter plan or premium plan, click “buy now†and you can set up your account.
Step 2: Pick a domain name for your babysitting website.
Every website needs a domain name. As a babysitter, you can use your name, or you can come up with a name that shows you’re a responsible and fun babysitter. If you run a daycare, consider using the name of your daycare as your domain name.
To pick your free domain name, all you have to do is type something related to babysitting in the “get domain†box. If your top choice for your website isn’t available, then select another until you find one that is available.
If you already have a domain name, then you can connect it to your HostGator account by clicking “connect it here.â€
Step 3: Create your HostGator account.
Once you have selected a domain name, it’s time to connect your HostGator account. Enter your email address or connect via Facebook, enter your payment information, and you’re officially part of the HostGator family.
Step 4: Pick a template for your babysitting website.
Another advantage of the Gator Website Builder is it comes with more than 200 professionally-designed templates. This means you don’t have to design your website. You just have to pick a template that you like and customize it with your content.
Step 5: Add pages and content to your babysitting website.
Once you have selected the perfect template for your side hustle website, you can start customizing your pages. Clicking “start editing†will send you to your dashboard where you can add, edit, and delete pages.
For a babysitting side hustle website, you may want to include the following pages:
- Home. The home page provides an overview of you as a babysitter.
- About. The about page offers insight into who you are, the experience you have, and any qualifications you may have (CPR certifications, driver’s license, etc.)
- Services. The services page includes a list of what babysitting services you offer. You can include prices on this page, or discuss them later over the phone.
- Testimonials. When it comes to hiring a babysitter, parents want to know they are getting someone exceptional. Consider collecting testimonials about how awesome you are from previous families you’ve helped.
- Contact. A contact page is a perfect way to let potential customers reach out to you via email, phone, or contact form.
As a drag and drop builder, it’s easy to design your pages and add content. All you have to do is point and click. However, if you have any questions, Gator Website Builder also includes a free step-by-step guide for reference that you can access at any time.
To access this guide, click the “menu†icon next to the Gator by HostGator logo and select the “getting started tour.â€
Step 6: Review your content and launch your babysitting website.
The last step is to review your website, make any changes, and then publish your babysitting website. By clicking “preview,†you can see your site in full.
During your preview, review your website and make sure everything is correct.
If everything looks right, then click the “finish preview†button at the top and then “publish website†at the top of the dashboard.
Create Your Babysitting Website Now
Starting a babysitting or daycare side hustle is a great way to make extra cash. By creating your own website, you can market your babysitting services and reach more families.
Get started building your babysitting website with the Gator Website Builder today.
Ashley R. Cummings is a professional freelance writer specializing in SaaS, tech, and advertising/marketing. In a previous life, she was a Russian teacher at Brigham Young University, a corporate trainer, and a grad student—all at the same time. When she’s not writing, you can find her traveling the world with her 2 kids and husband, reading poetry or taking a deep dive into the fabulous world of comedy. Connect with her on Twitter at @ashleyrcummings.