how to create a business site
A step-by-step playbook for small businesses: SEO, design, conversions and ongoing growth.
Build a site that gets found, converts visitors into customers, and grows your business — even if you're short on time or technical skills. Follow the clear checklists and steps below to launch a high-performing site in days, not months.
Quick start: launch an effective site in 7 steps
- Define the primary goal: lead capture, bookings, or online sales. One primary goal keeps pages focused.
- Choose a memorable domain and register it now (short, local if relevant). Preferably yourbusiness.com.au or yourservicecity.com.au.
- Use a responsive template or a managed subscription that delivers a mobile-ready design fast. Aim to go live within 48 hours.
- Prepare 3 core pages: Home, Services (or Products), Contact. Add short FAQs to reduce calls.
- Add clear contact methods above the fold: phone, click-to-call, and a prominent call-to-action.
- Install analytics and set up Google Business Profile (GBP) for local visibility.
- Launch, test on mobile, then promote locally: ask customers to leave reviews and share the link.
SEO checklist: make sure customers can find you
On-page SEO (must-do)
- Unique title tag (60–70 chars) with your main keyword and town (e.g., "Plumber Melbourne — Fast Emergency Plumber").
- Compelling meta description (120–155 chars) that includes a CTA.
- H1 per page that matches intent; use H2/H3 to structure content.
- Short, helpful URLs (example.com/service-name).
- Alt text for all images describing what’s in the photo and target keywords where natural.
- Schema markup for local business, services, and FAQs (helps rich results).
Local & technical SEO
- Claim and optimise your Google Business Profile (photos, hours, services).
- Ensure fast page load (target under 2.5s on mobile).
- Use HTTPS and a valid SSL certificate.
- Submit sitemap.xml and robots.txt to Google Search Console.
- Make contact info crawlable — include NAP (name, address, phone) in footer and on Contact page.
Design & UX: make a fast, trust-building site
Mobile first
Design for phones first: large tap targets, readable fonts, clear CTAs.
Simple visual hierarchy
Use contrast, whitespace, and a clear typographic scale so visitors scan and act.
Trust signals
Show reviews, memberships, and before/after photos to build credibility.
Fast interactions
Reduce animations that slow pages. Keep forms short (name, phone, message).
Clear calls-to-action
Use a primary action (Call now / Book now) visible in header and repeated on key sections.
Quality images
Use authentic photos of your team and work. If using stock, choose warm, realistic images.
Content & messaging: what to write and where
Your content should be clear, benefit-led, and focused on local customer intent. Follow this page-by-page blueprint:
- Home page: one-sentence value proposition, top services, contact CTA, and 3 trust signals (reviews, years in business, service areas).
- Services page(s): dedicated page per service with clear pricing ranges, what's included, and expected turnaround time. Use simple bullet lists for scannability.
- About / Team: short story, qualifications, and friendly photos — people buy from people.
- Contact: clickable phone, business hours, address, and a short contact form (2–4 fields).
- FAQ / Resources: answer the 6–10 common questions your customers ask — this improves search visibility.
Write for humans first — then optimise for search. Use plain language, short paragraphs, and calls-to-action that tell customers exactly what to do next.
Convert visitors into customers
Lead capture that works
- Phone first: make the phone number the primary CTA on mobile.
- Short contact forms: ask only for what's needed to respond quickly.
- Online booking if applicable — removes friction and increases conversions.
- Social proof: show 3–5 recent reviews on the homepage.
Reduce friction
- Make service areas explicit so visitors know you serve them.
- Display typical response times (e.g., Calls answered within 1 hour).
- Provide clear pricing ranges — people call when they know the ballpark.
- Follow up quickly — the fastest responder wins the lead.
Grow online: local, organic and paid channels
Local SEO
Optimise your Google Business Profile, collect reviews, add location pages, and ensure consistent NAP across directories.
Organic content
Publish short how-to posts answering customer questions (e.g., "How often should a dryer vent be cleaned?") — these drive steady traffic and trust.
Paid ads
Use targeted Google Search ads for high-intent keywords and local Facebook/Meta ads to retarget visitors and promote seasonal offers.
Budgeting for ads
Start small: $10–20/day for Google Search in a single suburb, measure results for 2 weeks, then scale what converts.
Remarketing
Add a Facebook pixel and simple site event tracking to re-engage visitors who viewed pricing or services pages.
Analytics: what to track and how to act
- Traffic sources: organic, direct, referral, paid — invest more where leads come from.
- Phone calls: track call conversions (use call-tracking if needed).
- Goal conversions: contact form submits, booking completions, or quote requests.
- Top pages: which pages drive leads — improve the ones that attract traffic but don't convert.
Maintenance & updates: keep your site working for you
Websites need ongoing care: content updates, security patches, and performance tweaks. Make a maintenance plan that includes:
- Monthly checks for speed, uptime, and backups.
- Quick updates for seasonal offers and price changes.
- Quarterly content refresh: one new FAQ, one testimonial, and one blog post.
- Regular review of analytics to spot falling pages or new keyword opportunities.
If you prefer hands-off support, consider a managed subscription where updates are handled via text — Congero offers unlimited updates, hosting, SSL, and local SEO from $49/month with no lock-in contracts.
A practical 14-day plan to launch and grow
- Day 1: Pick domain, set up Google Business Profile, and gather 6 photos + logo.
- Days 2–3: Create Home, Services, Contact pages; add clear CTAs and contact info.
- Day 4: On-page SEO: titles, meta descriptions, headings, and alt text.
- Days 5–6: Install analytics and search console; submit sitemap.
- Day 7: Launch, test on multiple devices, and fix any mobile issues.
- Week 2: Publish 1 local-focused blog/FAQ, request 5 customer reviews, and run a small $10/day Google ad test for your primary service.
- Ongoing: Weekly analytics review, monthly content refresh, and immediate updates to pricing/offers.
Frequently asked questions
How long before my site starts getting enquiries?
Do I need to write the content myself?
How much should I budget for ads?
What if I need updates after launch?
Ready to get a website that actually brings you customers?
If you're busy running a small business, the fastest route is a managed, local-SEO-ready site with unlimited updates and domain + hosting included. Start with a free demo — no setup fee, no credit card required.
Congero builds mobile-optimised websites fast and manages SEO and updates for $49/month with no lock-in contracts.
