Practical Guide • 2025

how do i make a website for my small business

A clear, step-by-step action plan—planning, content, SEO, and marketing—to get customers from day one.

This guide walks busy business owners through every part of creating an effective website: what to include, how to set up SEO the right way, content that converts, and simple marketing tactics to start bringing customers.

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What you'll learn

Simple 6-step plan SEO essentials for small businesses Content checklist that converts Low-cost marketing & local ads Launch & testing checklist FAQs

A simple 6-step plan to make your small business website

Follow these six practical steps. You don't need technical skills—just a clear plan and the right priorities.

1. Define the goal

Decide the primary purpose: lead generation, booking, sell products, or show portfolio. Make one goal your north star.

Goal examples: "Get 10 new enquiries per week" or "Fill 8 appointment slots monthly."

2. Gather your basic content

Short business description, services, prices (or price ranges), contact details, 5–10 high-quality photos, and a business logo.

Tip: Clear, local service pages (e.g., "Emergency Plumber Sydney") help SEO and conversions.

3. Choose structure & key pages

Typical small-business site: Home, Services (or Service pages), About, Contact, Reviews/Gallery, and a simple FAQ or Pricing page.

Keep navigation simple—3–6 menu items is ideal for conversions.

4. Pick the right platform

Options: website builder (easy DIY), WordPress (flexible), or a managed subscription service (fast, done-for-you). For most busy owners, a managed subscription gives the best results with minimal effort.

Consider cost, speed to launch, updates, and whether SEO & hosting are included.

5. Do basic SEO (right now)

Set a clear page title, concise meta description, H1 on each page, and location information. Submit a sitemap to Google Search Console.

See the SEO section below for a short checklist you can follow in under 30 minutes.

6. Launch, test & track

Go live, test forms, check on mobile, and connect Google Analytics + Google Business Profile. Review results after 30 days and adjust.

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SEO essentials: get found by local customers

Good SEO doesn't require magic. Focus on a handful of high-impact tasks that are easy to implement and give results for local businesses.

Local SEO basics

Claim and optimise your Google Business Profile (complete hours, services, photos)
Include your full business name, address and phone (NAP) on the footer of every page
Add local service pages (e.g., “AC Repair Melbourne”)

On-page SEO checklist

Page title: Include main keyword + location (<= 60 chars)
Meta description: 120–155 chars, clear CTA
H1: Use clear headline with keyword
URL: short and descriptive (e.g., /plumbing-sydney)

Alt text: For images, describe image + keyword
Schema: Add LocalBusiness markup for address & hours
Internal links: Link service pages from home & footer
Sitemap: Submit to Google Search Console

Simple link-building & reviews

Start with easy wins:

Ask satisfied customers to leave Google reviews (link it in an SMS)
List your business on 5–10 local directories (industry-specific ones first)
Partner with local suppliers for cross-links or mentions

Track & improve

Set up:

Google Analytics (or GA4) for traffic
Google Search Console for queries & coverage
Monthly check: top pages, top queries, bounce rates

Content checklist: what to put on each page

Home page

Clear headline with main offer
Primary CTA (call, book, or get a quote)
3–5 top services with short descriptions
Trust signals: reviews, credentials, gallery

Service pages

One service per page for SEO clarity
Include local keywords and common questions
Pricing or price ranges if possible
Call-to-action to request a quote or call

About & Contact

Short founder story and why you’re different
Full contact details + map
Business hours and emergency contact info

Social proof & FAQs

Short, recent customer reviews
Before/after photos or a gallery
Answer 6–10 common questions succinctly

Quick copy tips

Write like you speak. Use short paragraphs, bullet points, and phone-friendly CTAs like:

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Low-cost marketing to get customers fast

Local search ads

Use Google Local Services (where available) or Google Ads with location targeting. Start small: $10–20/day to test keywords that convert.

SMS & email

Collect customer numbers and send appointment reminders, specials or seasonal offers. SMS has high open rates and drives quick bookings.

Referrals & partnerships

Offer a small referral credit or partner with complementary local businesses (builders, real estate agents) to exchange leads.

Reviews & reputation

Ask customers to review you on Google and Facebook. Respond to reviews—especially negatives—to show you care.

Content that helps

Write short helpful posts answering common customer problems (e.g., "How to stop a leaking tap"). These pages attract local searchers and build trust.

Measure & double down

Track which channels deliver enquiries. Increase the budget on ads and tactics that have the best cost-per-lead after two weeks of data.

Launch & testing checklist (do this before you share)

Test contact forms and make a test submission
Phone number is clickable on mobile
Images load and alt text is set
Page titles & meta descriptions are unique
Google Analytics & Search Console connected
Google Business Profile linked and photos uploaded
Run a PageSpeed check — aim for under 3s mobile

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Common mistakes small businesses make

1. Launching without a clear goal. If you don’t know what action you want a visitor to take, your site won’t convert.

2. Ignoring mobile users. Over half of local searches come from phones—make mobile experience your priority.

3. Hiding contact details. Make phone, booking and address visible on every page.

4. Skipping analytics. If you don’t measure, you can’t improve. Track calls, form submissions and page behaviour.

Frequently asked questions

How long does it take to build a simple small business website?

If you do it yourself: 2–10 days (or longer depending on time). If you use a managed service or pro: 24–72 hours typical.

What should my homepage include?

Headline with your main offer, clear CTA (call/book/get quote), 3–5 services, reviews, and contact details visible on mobile.

Is SEO worth doing for a local small business?

Yes. Local SEO is one of the most cost-effective ways to get high-intent customers searching for services near you.

Do I need to pay a lot to get results?

No. Prioritise the basics (contact visibility, local pages, reviews, and a clear CTA). Paid ads can amplify results once the site converts well.

What is the easiest way to keep my website updated?

Choose a service that offers simple text or message-based updates and unlimited small changes—this saves time and keeps content fresh.

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