make a website
Step-by-step instructions to build a fast, SEO-friendly website that turns visitors into customers
This hands-on guide walks you through planning, building, launching, and optimising a website for small businesses. Focus areas: search engine optimisation (SEO), user experience (UX), and practical tools you can use today — including how to speed up the whole process with modern subscription services.
1. Plan your website: goals, audience, and pages
Before you design, be clear on the job your website must do. For most small businesses that means: generate leads, answer common questions, and demonstrate trust (testimonials, photos, credentials).
Define 3 measurable goals
- Number of enquiries per week
- Calls from mobile visitors
- Online bookings / quote requests
Create a simple sitemap
Most small-business sites only need:
- Home
- About / Credentials
- Services (separate page per core service)
- Testimonials / Case studies
- Contact / Bookings
- Blog (optional — great for local SEO)
2. Choose a platform, domain & hosting
Pick a platform that balances speed-to-launch with control. Options for small businesses:
DIY builders
Wix, Squarespace — easy, but time-consuming if you want quality UX and SEO.
WordPress (self-managed)
Highly flexible but requires maintenance and security work. Good for blogs and advanced sites.
Managed subscription services
Professional design + hosting + updates included. Launch fast without technical overhead. Congero builds sites via WhatsApp and offers unlimited updates for a flat monthly fee.
Picking a domain
- Use your business name where possible (keep it short).
- Avoid hyphens and numbers.
- Prefer a local TLD if you serve a local area (.com.au for Australia).
3. Design for conversion: UX fundamentals
Good design is more than pretty pages. It guides visitors to take action. Use these principles:
Clear value proposition
Your hero (top of page) should say who you help, what you do, and how to contact you — all within 5 seconds.
Call-to-action (CTA) hierarchy
Primary CTA (call or request quote) should be prominent on every page. Secondary CTAs (learn more) are fine but less visible.
Mobile-first layout
Design and test on mobile first — most local searches and calls come from phones.
Use real photos
Show your work, your van, your team. Authentic images build trust faster than stock photos.
Speed matters
Limit heavy scripts and large images. Aim for under 2.5s mobile load time. Fast sites rank better and convert more.
4. SEO fundamentals: be found by local customers
SEO is a mix of on-page signals, local optimisation, and technical health. Focus on the basics first — they're the highest ROI.
On-page basics
- Unique title tag for every page (include target city/service)
- Compelling meta description with CTA
- H1 for main heading; H2/H3 for sections
- Short, useful URLs (example.com/plumber-melbourne)
Local SEO
- Claim and optimise your Google Business Profile
- Include consistent NAP (Name, Address, Phone) across the site
- Collect and respond to reviews
Technical & analytics
- Install a sitemap.xml and robots.txt
- Enable HTTPS (SSL)
- Set up Google Analytics (GA4) and Google Search Console
- Use structured data (LocalBusiness schema) for rich results
5. Content that converts: copy, offers & proof
Great content answers customer questions and reduces friction to contact you. Use the following formula:
Page structure (high-converting service page)
- Headline: Service + location (e.g., Emergency Plumber Melbourne)
- Quick intro: 1-2 sentences — what you do and why clients choose you
- Services offered: Short bullet points
- Pricing or starting price: optional but builds trust
- Social proof: 2-4 testimonials + photos
- CTA: Phone number (click-to-call) and short form (if used)
Copywriting tips
- Write like you speak — clear, concise, benefit-oriented.
- Lead with the customer's problem and your solution.
- Use short paragraphs and descriptive subheadings for scanning.
- Include 2-3 internal links to related services or blog posts.
6. Tools & automation every small business should use
You don't need fancy enterprise software to compete. Use these lightweight tools:
Website & Hosting
Managed subscription (e.g., Congero) — professional design, domain, hosting and unlimited updates for a flat monthly fee. Fast launch and ongoing support.
SEO & analytics
Google Search Console, GA4, and a simple rank tracker (SERPWatch or free tools).
Reputation & messaging
Google Business Profile, review-gathering tools (e.g., Birdeye), and a simple SMS/WhatsApp contact channel.
Scheduling & payments
Online bookings (Acuity, Calendly), deposit/payment links (Stripe, Square).
Image & content help
Use phone photos, lightweight editors (Canva), and on-site AI for quick copy drafts (edit human-first).
Automation
Connect contact forms and bookings to your phone (SMS/WhatsApp) and CRM to reduce manual work.
7. Launch checklist & testing
Before you announce your site, run this checklist:
- Title tags & meta descriptions written
- Mobile test — tap targets and layout check
- Contact forms / email notifications tested
- Site loads under 3s (mobile)
- Google Analytics & Search Console installed
- Google Business Profile updated
- Backup and monitoring enabled
- Share with 5 people for feedback & QA
8. Maintain, measure & iterate
Websites are never finished. Use data to guide improvements — not guesswork.
Weekly
- Check contact form submissions
- Verify site uptime
Monthly
- Review GA4: traffic, top pages, conversions
- Run PageSpeed and fix any regressions
Quarterly
- Audit keywords and content gaps
- Gather new testimonials & photos
Recommended tools (quick list)
- Google Analytics (GA4)
- Search Console
- PageSpeed Insights
- Canva (images)
- Grammarly (copy)
- Photo editing on phone
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to make a website that actually works?
Do I need to write a lot of content?
What SEO should I do first?
Will a cheaper website hurt my SEO?
Ready to make a website that works for your business?
If you want speed, local SEO, and a professional design without the technical hassle, try a managed option. With Congero you can get a demo site in 60 seconds and ongoing support for a flat monthly price.
Want help building this yourself? Use the checklist above. Want us to build it? Click the demo link to see how quickly we can get you live.
