Website Ownership
So… You’ve Taken the Plunge and Started a Business. Exciting, Right?
You know you need a website (because, duh, it’s 2025), but now you’re staring at a blank screen, wondering, Where do I even begin?
Funds are tight—your business isn’t exactly rolling in profits yet, and maybe you’re still waiting on that first client or sale. On top of that, the sheer number of website platforms and options out there can feel overwhelming.
And let’s be honest: you’re not exactly a tech wizard (and that’s okay!).
Sound familiar?
This post is here to help. I’ll simplify the process and guide you step-by-step so you can build a website that works for your business—without losing your mind or emptying your wallet.
Who Is This For?
This guide is designed for new business owners, particularly those running:
- Small, local businesses: Think brick-and-mortar shops, restaurants, or cafes.
- Service-based businesses: Professionals like landscapers, photographers, or consultants.
If your business primarily operates offline and uses the internet to enhance your marketing, customer service, or reputation, this guide is perfect for you.
Online-only businesses (like e-commerce or dropshipping) might need a few extra features that are not covered here, but you’ll still find this a great starting point.
Your Website’s Core Purpose
Before diving into website creation, let’s talk about why you need one. It’s easy to get caught up in flashy designs or unrealistic promises of instant success. But your website has one primary job:
Your website’s core purpose is to connect potential customers with your business by providing clear, accessible, and accurate information. Your website is there to deliver value.
Think of it as an extension of your in-person customer service. It should:
- Share the basics: Who you are, what you do, where you’re located, and how to reach you.
- Build trust: Demonstrate professionalism with a clean design and clear message.
- Guide visitors: Help them take the next step—whether that’s calling you, visiting your location, or booking a service.
Your website doesn’t need to be perfect at launch—it’s a living entity that will grow and evolve as your business does.
Essential Website Content: What to Include
To make your website effective, focus on these key types of content:
- Informational Content
- Include your business name, location, hours, contact details, and any other key info.
- Make it easy for visitors to find the information they’re looking for—don’t bury it on a hidden page.
- Educational Content
- Answer these questions: What do you offer? Who is your service for? How do you deliver it?
- Highlight what makes your business unique or different from competitors.
- Call-to-Action (CTA)
- A CTA tells visitors what to do next: “Call us now,” “Book your free consultation,” or “Visit us today.”
- Place CTAs prominently on your homepage and key pages.
- Social Proof
- Add customer reviews, testimonials, or case studies to build trust and credibility.
- If you’re new, ask early customers for feedback you can use on your site.
Choosing a Domain Name
Your domain name is your website’s address (e.g., www.mybusinessname.com). It’s crucial because it’s many people’s first impression of your business online.
Tips for choosing a great domain name:
- Keep it short and memorable: Avoid long or complicated names.
- Make it relevant: Use your business name or something related to your industry.
- Check for availability: Use registrars like GoDaddy, Namecheap, or Google Domains.
- Avoid hyphens or numbers: These can confuse visitors trying to remember your site.
Choosing the Right Website Platform
You don’t need to be a tech pro to create a great website. Many platforms are designed for beginners and offer easy drag-and-drop builders. Here’s an overview of popular options:
- GoDaddy Sites
- Best for: Simple websites with quick setup.
- Features: Easy-to-use templates and built-in hosting.
- Wix
- Best for: Creative control without needing coding skills.
- Features: Hundreds of templates and a drag-and-drop editor.
- Squarespace
- Best for: Professional designs and ease of use.
- Features: Great for portfolio sites, restaurants, and service-based businesses.
- WordPress.com
- Best for: Businesses that want flexibility and room to grow.
- Features: Customizable templates and plugins.
- Note: Avoid the WordPress.org version of WordPress if you are a beginner with websites.
- Weebly
- Best for: Simple websites and online stores.
- Features: Budget-friendly and beginner-friendly.
- Shopify
- Best for: Businesses selling products online.
- Features: Robust e-commerce tools for selling, shipping, and managing inventory.
- Webflow or Framer
- Best for: Advanced customization with a professional design edge.
AI-Powered Website Builders
In addition to traditional platforms, consider AI-powered website builders that use artificial intelligence to streamline the process. These tools can generate professional websites based on your business type and needs:
- 10Web: An AI-powered builder that creates a WordPress site with ease. Visit 10Web
- Durable: Designed for small businesses, Durable generates a complete website in under a minute. Visit Durable
- Wix ADI (Artificial Design Intelligence): Wix’s AI tool builds a custom site based on your responses to a few questions. Visit Wix ADI
- Relume: A tool for building scalable websites, especially useful for design systems and Webflow projects. Visit Relume
- Teleport.io: AI-assisted platform focused on rapid prototyping and website creation. Visit Teleport.io
These AI tools are excellent for saving time and creating a professional-looking foundation, especially if you’re new to website design.
Beyond the Website: Search Engines and Listings
Your website is just the first step. Most people will find your business through search engines like Google, so you’ll need to ensure your information is accurate and visible online.
- Business Listings
- Set up profiles on Google, Yelp, and Bing Places.
- Consistency is key—your business name, address, and phone number (NAP) should match everywhere.
- Customer Reviews
- Ask customers to leave reviews on platforms like Google or Yelp.
- Positive reviews boost trust and help with search rankings.
- Automation Tools
- Tools like BrightLocal can manage and automate the process of listing your business on multiple directories.
This ensures that when someone searches for your business name, they see an entire page of business listings, your website, and customer/client reviews. This builds crucial social proof, especially if someone was referred and is just searching for you to validate further. It also sets you up for being found for searches related to your business type and location.
Taking It a Step Further: Online Advertising
Once your website and listings are up, you can experiment with advertising to drive more traffic.
- Google Ads: Run ads to target local customers searching for your services.
- Google Local Service Ads: Feature your business at the top of search results for service-related queries.
- Listing Platform Ads: Platforms like Yelp and Thumbtack offer paid advertising options to boost visibility. There might also be some platforms that are specific to your industry.
Bonus Tips for Creating and Maintaining Your Website
- Check on Mobile and Desktop: Regularly review your website on both mobile and desktop devices to ensure it looks and functions correctly.
- Test Everything Weekly: View your site at least once a week. Click all the links, fill out the forms, and make sure everything is working as expected.
- Use AI Tools for Content: Tools like ChatGPT or Google Gemini can help you create simple, effective content for your site. AI can generate headlines, service descriptions, FAQs, and blog posts.
- Update Regularly: Keep your site fresh by updating your services, adding new testimonials, and posting specials or promotions.
- Monitor Analytics: Use tools like Google Analytics to track your website’s performance. Pay attention to where your traffic comes from and which pages get the most views.
- Secure Your Site: Always use HTTPS to ensure your website is secure and trusted by visitors.
- Backup Your Site: Schedule regular backups to avoid losing data in case of a technical issue. Many hosting platforms offer automated backup options.
- Focus on Accessibility: Ensure your site is accessible to everyone, including those with disabilities. Use alt text for images, clear fonts, and easy navigation.
- Leverage Automation Tools: Use platforms like Zapier or Make to connect your website to other business systems, CRMs, or tools you use for scheduling, email marketing, or customer management. Automating workflows can save time and ensure your website integrates seamlessly with your business processes.
- Use a Professional Email Address: A professional email address (e.g., yourname@yourbusiness.com) adds credibility to your business, adds security, and helps build trust with customers. Many providers offer affordable solutions:
- Google Workspace: A popular choice that includes business email, storage, and collaboration tools. Learn more about Google Workspace
- GoDaddy Email: Offers simple professional email options through Microsoft 365 that are linked to your domain. Explore GoDaddy Email
- SEO Basics: Ensure your website is optimized for search engines by using relevant keywords in your headings and text, adding meta titles and descriptions to every page, and using descriptive alt text for images.
- Brand Consistency: Make sure your website reflects your brand’s identity by using consistent logos, colors, and fonts. This builds trust and reinforces recognition.
- Performance Optimization: Keep your site fast by compressing images before uploading, using lightweight themes, and choosing reliable hosting. Fast-loading sites improve user experience and boost search rankings.
- Social Media Integration: Create social media profiles for your business and link them to your website. Likewise, include your website link in all your social profiles to drive traffic and boost visibility.
By following these tips, you’ll not only maintain a high-performing website but also integrate it effectively with the rest of your business operations.
You Can Do This!
The key takeaway is that it only takes a little upfront work and consistency to build an online presence that works for you—without breaking the bank. Don’t be intimidated. You can do this! Just start, embrace the process of growth, and keep your website updated to reflect your business as it evolves. Use your website and business listings to post specials, gather reviews, and grow your reach over time.
But you don’t have to go it alone. I’m here to help if you need guidance or someone to handle the heavy lifting. Here’s how I can assist:
- Website Setup: Need help creating a website from scratch? I can build a site tailored to your needs.
- Business Listings: Overwhelmed by managing business listings and reviews? I can set up and optimize your listings across major platforms like Google, Yelp, and Bing, ensuring your business is visible and consistent everywhere.
- Review Management: I’ll help you implement a simple review process so your happy customers can showcase their experiences—and you can attract even more business.
- Website Audits: Already have a website but want to ensure it’s performing well? I offer audits to evaluate your design, content, SEO, and overall functionality. You’ll get a clear roadmap for improvement.
- Ongoing Guidance: If you need occasional help or ongoing support, I offer hourly assistance to guide you through challenges or take tasks off your plate.
Remember, the internet is a powerful tool for growing your business. Let’s make it work for you! If you’d like to discuss how I can help, contact me here.