If your business lives on social media, a directory listing or word of mouth, a website can feel like one more thing to manage. Done well, it is the opposite: one place you own, that answers the same questions every customer asks, and that keeps working while you do. This guide covers what a first business website actually needs, the decisions you will face, and how to avoid paying twice.

Start with what the site is for

Before pages or colours, decide what you want visitors to do. For most small businesses it is one of these:

  • Call, email or book a consultation.
  • Request a quote.
  • Visit a location.
  • Buy something online.

Pick one main action and make it obvious on every page. Everything else on the site exists to help a visitor get there with confidence.

The essentials

A domain name you own. Register it in your own name and keep the login. A short, easy-to-spell domain that matches your business name is ideal.

Pages that answer real questions. A home page that says what you do and who for; a page per main service or product; an about page with real people; and a clear way to get in touch.

Proof. Photos of real work, short testimonials with permission, and any credentials or memberships that matter in your field.

Fast and mobile-friendly. Most visitors will see the site on a phone first. Check it on yours, and run it through Google's free PageSpeed Insights.

Found on Google. Unique page titles and descriptions, a sitemap, and, for a local business, a Google Business Profile with the same name, address and phone number as the site.

How to build it

There are three broad routes, and the right one depends on what the site needs to do:

  • Website builders (Wix, Squarespace and similar) are quick and affordable for a simple brochure site you will update yourself. They are a good start for many businesses.
  • WordPress offers more flexibility and a huge ecosystem, but needs ongoing updates and care, and can slow down as plugins accumulate.
  • A custom-built site makes sense when the website is central to how you sell or operate: online ordering, quotes, customer accounts, integrations with your other systems, or when speed and ownership matter from day one.

Make sure you own it

  • The domain is registered in your name, with your email address.
  • You have admin access to hosting, analytics and any site builder account.
  • If someone builds it for you, the contract says you own the design and code.
  • You know how to get a copy of your content if you ever move.

After launch

A website is never quite finished. Plan for small regular updates: new photos, answers to questions customers keep asking, and security updates. Check your analytics now and then to see which pages people read and where they leave. Those numbers tell you what to improve next.