web design services list
Clear descriptions of the core web design services, why they matter for SEO and marketing, and how to prioritise them for business growth.
Use this guide to decide which web design tasks to do first, what to expect (time and rough cost), and which KPIs to track after launch.
Essential Web Design Services (straightforward list)
The items below are the core services most small businesses need. For each: what it is, why it matters, time & effort, and a short checklist you can action.
1. Discovery & Strategy
Define goals, target customers, primary calls-to-action (book, call, form), and competitor benchmarks. This prevents rework and aligns the website with marketing goals.
- Identify 3 primary customer actions
- List top 10 keywords to target
- Create a simple sitemap with priority pages
2. Responsive (mobile-first) Design
Design and build pages that adapt to phones and tablets first. Mobile usability is a direct SEO signal and the primary device for local searches.
- Use large touch targets and clear CTAs
- Check layout on iPhone/Android and small tablets
- Ensure font sizes are readable without zoom
3. Technical SEO Setup
Implement title tags, meta descriptions, header structure, robots.txt, XML sitemap, schema markup, and canonical tags. Technical SEO ensures search engines can crawl, index, and present your site correctly.
- Unique title & meta for each page
- Generate and submit XML sitemap to Google Search Console
- Add structured data for local business or services
4. Performance & Hosting
Fast hosting, CDN, image optimisations, caching and minimal third-party scripts reduce load times — a high-priority ranking factor and conversion driver.
- Serve images as next-gen formats and lazy-load where appropriate
- Enable gzip/Brotli compression and caching headers
- Remove unused JS/CSS and limit external tags
5. Conversion-Focused UX (CTAs, Forms, Layout)
Clear user journeys and optimised calls-to-action turn visitors into enquiries or buyers. UX reduces friction and improves conversion rate — essential for marketing ROI.
- Prominent, relevant CTA above the fold
- Short forms (name, phone/email, message) with spam protection
- Confirmation messages and tracking for form submits
6. Local SEO & Business Profiles
Google Business Profile setup, consistent NAP (name/address/phone) across directories, and localized landing pages help you appear in “near me” searches.
- Verify and optimise Google Business Profile
- Publish location or service-area pages targeting local keywords
- Encourage and respond to customer reviews
7. Content Strategy & On-Page Copy
High-quality, relevant page copy that matches search intent is the engine for ranking and converting visitors. Content should target the keywords found in discovery.
- Write clear H1/H2 structure and meta descriptions
- Include local terms and service-specific phrases
- Answer common customer questions on-page
8. Visuals, Photos & Brand Assets
High-quality photos and consistent branding build trust and increase click-through and conversion rates. Optimise images for web to protect performance.
- Use real photos of your team and work where possible
- Compress and serve scaled images
- Provide alt text for accessibility and SEO
9. Analytics, Goals & Tagging
Install analytics, set up conversion goals (form submits, calls, clicks), and configure event tracking. Without measurement you can't improve or prove ROI.
- Connect Google Analytics 4 and Search Console
- Track form submits, phone clicks, and key CTAs
- Set up monthly reporting cadence
10. Maintenance, Security & Updates
Regular updates, backups, and security monitoring keep the site healthy and search-friendly. Fixing issues reactively costs more than a simple maintenance plan.
- Automatic daily or weekly backups
- Security scans and SSL monitoring
- Quarterly content and performance review
How each service supports SEO, marketing, and business growth
Below is a concise mapping of the services to outcomes. Use this to prioritise work that directly impacts your goals.
Services that most affect SEO
- Technical SEO: Enables crawlability and indexing — foundation for ranking.
- Local SEO: Increases visibility in local queries and map packs.
- Content strategy: Matches search intent and drives organic traffic.
- Performance: Faster pages rank better and keep users on the site.
Services that boost marketing
- Conversion UX: Improves landing page effectiveness and ad ROI.
- Analytics & tagging: Enables attribution and campaign optimisation.
- Visuals & copy: Improve CTR from social and paid campaigns.
- Landing pages: Tailored pages for specific campaigns increase conversions.
Services that grow the business
- Local SEO & GBP: More local leads and phone calls.
- Good UX & fast site: Higher conversion rates and repeat visitors.
- Maintenance: Fewer downtime incidents — consistent lead flow.
- Content & reviews: Build trust and referral traffic over time.
Quick wins for new businesses
- Verify Google Business Profile and add photos.
- Ensure phone number is clickable on mobile and visible above the fold.
- Create 3 service pages targeting specific local keywords.
- Install analytics and set one clear conversion goal (e.g., contact form).
How to prioritise web design work (simple 5-step plan)
- Fix blocking issues first — mobile usability, contact visibility, and page speed. If users can't use the site, nothing else matters.
- Set up measurement — GA4 + Search Console + goal tracking. You need data to decide where to invest next.
- Local visibility — GBP verification and 2–3 local landing pages for immediate "near me" search impact.
- Conversion improvements — test CTAs, shorten forms, add trust signals (testimonials, photos).
- Content growth — add 4–8 helpful pages or blog posts answering customer questions; track rankings and visits monthly.
KPIs to track after each change
Measure these weekly for the first 8–12 weeks, then monthly after that.
Practical implementation checklist (first 30 days)
- Confirm goals and KPIs (discovery doc). Assign who receives leads and where they go.
- Fix mobile layout and ensure phone number is a clickable CTA on all pages.
- Install analytics & Search Console; set up form tracking and a monthly report template.
- Configure Google Business Profile and add 5 photos + correct business hours.
- Publish or optimise 3 priority pages (Home, Services, Contact) with clear CTAs and meta tags.
- Run a PageSpeed test and apply 3 quick wins: compress images, enable caching, remove unused scripts.
- Add event tracking for phone clicks and form submissions; verify data is populating reports.
Frequently asked questions
Which services should I start with if I have a very small budget?
How long before I see SEO results from changes?
Do I need custom design or is a template fine?
How do I decide between doing work myself or hiring help?
Next steps — turn this list into action
Pick one immediate fix (mobile or analytics), implement it this week, and track the KPI for 30 days. Small wins compound — consistent measurement shows what to scale next.
If you want a simple checklist or a one-page action plan, save this page and revisit after your first analytics report.
