How Do I Make a Website for My Business?
Website builders vs WordPress vs hiring a pro, the pages you need, how to turn visitors into customers, and how to get found on Google.
Register a domain, choose a website builder (easiest) or WordPress (most flexible), pick a mobile-friendly template, and create Home, Services, About, Reviews and Contact pages. Lead with a clear headline, show proof, add one obvious call to action, keep it fast, and connect it to Google Search Console and your Google Business Profile.
In this article
- Option 1: Use a website builder (easiest)
- Option 2: Use WordPress (more flexible)
- Option 3: Hire a designer or developer
- What you need to get started
- The pages every small business website needs
- Make your website convert visitors into customers
- A homepage formula that works
- Website launch checklist
- Get your website found on Google
- Keep it legal and secure
- Keeping your website working for you
- FAQ
A business website is your 24/7 storefront. It's where customers check you're legitimate, find out what you offer, and decide whether to call you or a competitor. The good news: a professional small business website no longer requires a developer or a big budget. This guide shows you the options, what every page needs, and how to get it found.
Option 1: Use a website builder (easiest)
Hosted website builders such as Squarespace, Wix, Shopify (for stores), Google Sites and GoDaddy's builder give you templates, hosting and security in one monthly plan. You drag and drop content and can launch in a weekend. They're the right choice for most small businesses that just need a professional brochure site, booking or a small store.
Option 2: Use WordPress (more flexible)
WordPress powers a large share of the web. Self-hosted WordPress gives you full control, thousands of themes and plugins, and strong blogging tools. It takes more setup, and you're responsible for updates, backups and security, either yourself or through a managed host.
Option 3: Hire a designer or developer
If you need custom features, a strong brand or simply don't have time, hire a professional. Get a clear quote, make sure you'll own your domain and content, and ask how updates and maintenance will work after launch.
What you need to get started
- A domain name. Your web address, usually around $10 to $20 a year for a .com. Keep it short, easy to spell and close to your business name. Register it in your own name or your business's name, never only in a designer's account.
- Hosting, included with website builders or bought separately for WordPress.
- A professional email at your domain (you@yourbusiness.com) builds trust.
- Your content: logo, photos, service descriptions, prices if you share them, reviews and contact details.
The pages every small business website needs
| Page | What it must do |
|---|---|
| Home | Say in one sentence what you do, for whom and where. Show proof and a clear call to action. |
| Services or products | One section or page per main service, with details, pricing approach and photos. |
| About | Your story, experience and the people behind the business. People buy from people. |
| Reviews or portfolio | Testimonials, case studies, before-and-after photos. |
| Contact | Phone, email, form, service area or address, hours and a map if local. |
| Privacy policy | Required if you collect personal information through forms, analytics or a newsletter. |
Make your website convert visitors into customers
- Lead with a clear headline that names the service and location: "Licensed Electrician in Tampa: Same-Week Appointments."
- One main action per page: call, book, request a quote or buy. Put the button near the top.
- Show social proof such as reviews, star ratings, client logos and photos of real work.
- Design for phones first. Most visitors arrive on mobile. Make buttons big and phone numbers tappable.
- Keep it fast. Compress images, avoid heavy video backgrounds and remove plugins you don't need. Slow sites lose visitors and rank lower.
- Answer objections with an FAQ: pricing, timing, guarantees, service areas.
Speed check: run your homepage through Google's free PageSpeed Insights tool. Fix the biggest issues it flags, usually oversized images and too many scripts.
A homepage formula that works
- Headline: what you do, for whom, where. "Family Dentistry in Plano, Texas. Same-Week Appointments."
- Subheadline: the main benefit or differentiator. "Gentle care for kids and adults, with evening and Saturday hours."
- Primary button: one clear action. "Book an appointment."
- Proof: star rating, number of reviews, logos of insurers or clients, years in business.
- Services: three to six cards linking to service pages.
- How it works: three simple steps from contact to result.
- Testimonials: real names and specifics.
- FAQ: pricing, timing, coverage area.
- Final call to action and contact details.
Website launch checklist
- Domain connected and HTTPS working
- Every page tested on a phone
- Contact form sends to an inbox you check; phone number tappable
- Unique page titles and meta descriptions
- Images compressed and given descriptive alt text
- Google Search Console set up and sitemap submitted
- Google Business Profile linked to your website
- Analytics installed, and privacy policy updated to mention it
- Favicon, social sharing image and 404 page in place
Get your website found on Google
- Put your main service and location in page titles and headings.
- Write a separate section or page for each service you want to rank for.
- Connect your site to your Google Business Profile.
- Set up Google Search Console and submit your sitemap.
- Add helpful content that answers customer questions.
For the full picture, read what is SEO and how it works for small businesses.
Keep it legal and secure
- Use HTTPS (most builders include a free SSL certificate).
- Publish a privacy policy if you collect any data.
- Use your own photos or properly licensed images.
- Keep software and plugins updated, and back up your site. See protecting your business from cyber attacks.
Match your website branding on your invoices and business cards.
Design business cardsKeeping your website working for you
A website isn't a one-time project. Once a month, check that forms work, update anything that changed (prices, hours, services), add a recent project or review, and look at Search Console for new search terms people use to find you. Once a quarter, review your main pages: is the message still clear, and does every page have a reason to exist? Small, regular updates beat a full redesign every few years.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a small business website cost?
A DIY site on a website builder typically costs a monthly subscription plus about $10 to $20 a year for a domain. Hiring a designer costs more, from a few hundred dollars for a simple site to several thousand for custom work.
What is the best website builder for a small business?
It depends on your needs. Squarespace and Wix suit brochure and booking sites, Shopify suits online stores, and WordPress suits content-heavy sites that need flexibility. Choose one that's easy for you to update.
Do I need a website if I have social media?
Yes. Social media accounts can be limited or change their rules, and many customers check for a website to confirm you're legitimate. A website is the one online presence you fully control.
How long does it take to build a business website?
With a website builder and your content ready, a simple site can be live in a day or a weekend. Custom sites typically take several weeks.
This article is general information for US readers, not legal, tax or financial advice. Rules, prices and platform policies change, so confirm details with official sources or a qualified professional.