Feeling overwhelmed about creating a website for your business? You're not alone. You know you need an online presence, but the thought of building a website from scratch probably has you wondering where to even begin. Should you hire a professional? Use a website builder? Learn to code? And how much is this going to cost you?
I get it. As a small business owner, you need a professional website without breaking the bank or earning a computer science degree. The good news? Creating a business website is more accessible than ever before, and I'm going to walk you through exactly how to do it.
TL;DR Summary: Creating a business website involves choosing a domain name, selecting a website platform (like WordPress or Wix), designing your site with your audience in mind, adding essential pages and features, optimizing for search engines, and launching with a plan for ongoing maintenance. With the right approach, you can create a professional website in as little as a week, even with no technical experience.
Before diving into the how, let's quickly address the why. In today's digital-first world, your website isn't just a nice-to-have—it's your business's most important digital asset.
Studies show that 76% of consumers research a company online before visiting in person, and 88% of consumers are less likely to return to a site after a bad experience. Your website is often the first impression potential customers have of your business. No website? You're potentially losing customers to competitors who are more visible online.
Pro Tip: Even if you rely heavily on social media marketing or have a strong presence on platforms like Instagram or Facebook, you don't own those platforms. Having your own website gives you full control over your online presence and customer data.
When it comes to creating a business website, you have several options:
Platforms like Wix, Squarespace, and Shopify offer drag-and-drop interfaces that make it easy to build a professional-looking website without coding knowledge.
Best for: Solopreneurs, small businesses, and those with limited budgets who need a website up quickly.
The world's most popular content management system powers over 43% of all websites online. It offers more flexibility than website builders but has a slightly steeper learning curve.
Best for: Growing businesses that want more customization options and scalability.
Hiring a web designer or agency to build a custom website from scratch.
Best for: Established businesses with specific functionality requirements and larger budgets.
Before you register a domain or choose colors, ask yourself:
Your answers will guide every decision you make about your website's design, content, and functionality.
Your domain name is your website's address (like businessname.com). When choosing a domain:
Pro Tip: Check if your desired domain name is available as a handle on social media platforms to maintain consistent branding across all channels.
Based on your needs, budget, and technical comfort level, choose from:
Website Builders (Easiest Option)
WordPress (Most Flexible)
Myth vs Truth: WordPress EditionMyth: WordPress is only for blogs.Truth: While WordPress started as a blogging platform, it's now a full-featured CMS that powers everything from small business websites to enterprise sites and online stores.
If you're using WordPress.org or custom development, you'll need web hosting. Popular options include:
Website builders like Wix and Squarespace include hosting in their monthly fees.
A basic business website typically includes:
Pro Tip: Before designing, create a simple site map or outline of all the pages you need and how they'll link together. This prevents the common mistake of creating a disorganized website that's hard for visitors to navigate.
Now it's time to bring your website to life:
Before launching:
After launch, remember that a website is never truly "done." Plan for:
The cost of creating a business website varies dramatically based on your approach:
Pro Tip: Whatever your budget, allocate at least 20% for ongoing maintenance and updates. A neglected website can harm your brand more than having no website at all.
With DIY website builders, you can launch a basic site in as little as a weekend. WordPress sites typically take 2-4 weeks to set up properly. Custom-developed websites can take 8-12 weeks or longer.
No! While coding knowledge gives you more flexibility, today's website builders and WordPress themes allow you to create professional websites with no coding required.
It depends on your budget, timeline, and the complexity of your needs. DIY is great for simple websites and tight budgets. Professional help ensures a polished result and saves you time, but at a higher cost.
Focus on creating valuable content that answers your audience's questions, use relevant keywords naturally throughout your site, ensure your website loads quickly, and make sure it works well on mobile devices.
Your domain name is your website's address (like yourbusiness.com). Hosting is the service that stores your website files and makes them accessible on the internet.
WordPress offers more flexibility and control but requires more technical knowledge. Website builders are easier to use but offer less customization. For most small businesses just starting out, a website builder is often the simplest solution.
Creating a website for your business doesn't have to be complicated or expensive. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can build a professional online presence that attracts customers and grows your business.
Remember: the perfect website doesn't exist, but the website that's online beats the perfect one that's never launched. Start simple, focus on clearly communicating your value to customers, and improve over time.
Ready to take the first step? Begin by registering your domain name today, then choose the website platform that best fits your needs and budget. Your new business website—and all the customers it will bring—is closer than you think.
What questions do you still have about creating a website for your business? Drop them in the comments below, and I'll personally respond with advice tailored to your situation.
