how to setup a business website
A step-by-step, actionable guide to launch a fast, converting website with essential SEO, design and marketing in 2025.
This guide walks you from planning and domain choice through to launch, tracking and promoting your site — with practical checklists you can use right away.
1. Plan your website (who, what, why)
Before you buy a domain or choose a template, answer the core questions that determine structure, content and conversion goals.
Define your primary goal
- Get leads via contact forms or calls
- Book appointments online
- Showcase portfolio to win jobs
Map essential pages
- Homepage (clear value & CTA)
- Services / Products (one page per main service)
- About / Trust (team, licences, insurance)
- Contact (form, phone, map)
- Case studies or gallery
Quick checklist — Planning
- Primary business goal written down
- List of main pages and CTAs
- Target location(s) and keywords brainstormed
2. Design essentials: build trust and reduce friction
Design isn't just about looking good — it guides visitors to the action you want them to take. Prioritise clarity, speed, and trust signals.
Mobile-first
Design for phone screens first. Ensure large buttons and readable fonts.
Fast & lightweight
Limit heavy sliders and large hero videos on mobile. One hero image is enough.
Trust & social proof
Show reviews, licences, insurance, association logos and real photos of your work.
Homepage structure that converts
- Hero: one-line value statement + primary CTA (call or form)
- Why choose you: 3–4 bullets with icons (price, speed, guarantee)
- Services snapshot: brief links to each service page
- Proof: gallery, testimonials, awards
- Footer: contact details, hours, small site links
3. Content that turns visitors into customers
Good content answers questions quickly and builds trust. Keep it simple, localised, and benefit-focused.
Write for humans and search engines
- Use clear headings (H1, H2) that include your main keywords naturally
- Lead with the benefit: "Plumbing repairs in Melbourne — same-day service"
- Keep paragraphs short (1-3 sentences) and use bullet lists
- Include a clear call-to-action on every page (Call now / Get a quote)
Service page template (use per service)
- Intro: What you do + location
- Symptoms & causes: help users self-identify
- Process: what to expect (step-by-step)
- Price guide: honest ranges or starting price
- CTA: phone & short lead form
Images & captions
Use real project photos. Add short captions that include location and service (helps local SEO).
4. On-page SEO: the essentials
Implementing basic on-page SEO makes sure Google understands your pages and shows them to local customers.
Checklist
- Unique title tag (50–60 chars) with primary keyword + location
- Meta description (120–160 chars) with a call-to-action
- H1 contains primary keyword
- Use H2s/H3s for structure; include related keywords
- Alt text for images describing what’s in the photo
- Internal links between relevant pages (homepage → service → case study)
Simple keyword approach
- Primary: service + location (e.g., "electrician Sydney")
- Secondary: service variants (e.g., "fault finding, switchboard upgrades")
- Long-tail: question-based (e.g., "why is my power trip when I use the microwave")
5. Technical & performance: speed, security, mobile
Technical setup affects SEO and conversions. These items take minutes but pay off in rankings and lower bounce rates.
Hosting & domain
Choose reliable hosting with fast response times. Register a domain that matches your business name or main keyword.
SSL (HTTPS)
Enable SSL — critical for trust and SEO. Most hosts provide free Let's Encrypt certificates.
Mobile performance
Use responsive images, avoid heavy JavaScript, and test on real devices. Target under 2.5s load on mobile.
Speed optimisation checklist
- Compress images (WebP) and set width/height attributes
- Use lazy loading for off-screen images
- Minify CSS/JS and enable gzip/Brotli
- Use a CDN for global reach
6. Local SEO: be where customers search
For trades and local services, local SEO drives the best ROI. Focus on your Google Business Profile and consistent citations.
Local launch checklist
- Create & verify Google Business Profile (accurate hours, services, photos)
- Ensure NAP consistency — Name, Address, Phone across your site and directories
- Collect and display customer reviews (ask customers via SMS/email)
- Embed a Google Map on your contact page
7. Analytics & tracking: measure what matters
You can't improve what you don't measure. Set up tracking to understand traffic, leads and ROI.
Essential tracking
- Google Analytics 4 — track sessions, pages and events
- Set up goal events (contact form submitted, phone click, booking)
- Google Search Console — monitor indexing and search performance
- Call tracking (optional) or phone-click events for precise lead attribution
8. Launch & marketing: get your first customers
A launch plan makes the website work from day one. Use low-cost channels with clear offers to generate initial traction.
Launch checklist
- Share on Facebook/Instagram with a local offer
- Send SMS or email to past customers with a referral discount
- Turn on Google Local Services or run a small Search Ads campaign focused on top keywords
- Ask first customers for Google reviews
Low-cost marketing ideas
- Facebook posts boosted for $20 targeting local suburbs
- Promote a limited-time discount to create urgency
- Partner with nearby complementary businesses for cross-referrals
Measuring ad performance
Track cost per lead, conversion rate, and lifetime value (LTV). Start small and scale the ads that produce profitable leads.
Ongoing: maintenance, updates & continuous improvement
A live website needs to be monitored and improved. Plan for regular checks and iterative changes.
Monthly checklist
- Check analytics: top pages, exit pages, conversion rate
- Publish one page or post targeting a long-tail keyword
- Update any time-sensitive pricing or offers
- Ensure backups and security updates are applied
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to set up a basic business website?
How long until my site ranks on Google?
Do I need a blog?
What is the simplest way to get a site live fast?
Ready to get your website working for your business?
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