Starting a new business is thrilling—until you realize you need a website. It’s the modern-day version of hanging out your shingle, but with higher stakes. Your website isn’t just a digital storefront; it’s often the first impression your business makes. Don’t panic if you’ve never built a website before. By the time you’re done reading this, you’ll know the basics to get started.
The Basics of Building a Website for Your New Business
Know your purpose and audience
Before diving into website builders or picking colors, take a step back and ask: “What do I want my website to achieve?” Are you selling products? Showcasing a portfolio? Sharing information? The purpose of your website will shape every decision, from its layout to its functionality.
Think about your audience, too. If you’re targeting eco-conscious consumers, your site should feel sustainable and modern. If you’re courting busy parents, make it easy to navigate on a mobile device between school drop-offs and soccer practice.
Choose the right platform
Gone are the days when you needed to learn coding or hire an expensive developer. Website builders like Websites 360® make it easy to create a professional site without technical skills.
Websites 360 offers beautiful, ready-to-go templates tailored to your industry or the option to create your own, all with an easy-to-use platform that requires no coding. Every site is fully responsive, seamlessly scaling across all devices and optimized for SEO to help customers find you more easily. Plus, there is a team of design experts, SEO specialists and friendly support staff ready to assist.
Secure your domain name
Your domain name is your website’s address, so make it count. Ideally, it matches your business name—like “GreenGardeners.com” for a landscaping business. If your dream domain is taken, don’t get discouraged. Add a descriptive word, such as “GreenGardenersPro.com,” or choose a different extension like “.net” or “.co.”
Sites like GoDaddy and Namecheap make it easy to search for and purchase domain names. Keep it short, simple and easy to spell.
Focus on design and user experience
Let’s talk about looks. Your website should align with your brand. A law firm’s site, for example, will feel professional and subdued, while a bakery’s site might lean on cheerful colors and playful fonts.
Beyond aesthetics, think about user experience (UX). Make navigation intuitive, pages fast-loading and important information, like your contact details, easy to find.
Some quick tips:
Use clear calls-to-action like “Shop Now” or “Book a Consultation.”
Ensure your site looks good on mobile devices, not just desktops.
Limit pop-ups, they can be more annoying than helpful.
Even the simplest websites need a few core pages. Think of these as the building blocks of your digital presence:
Home: Your welcome mat. Highlight who you are and what you offer.
About: Share your story. People love doing business with real humans.
Products/Services: Be clear about what you’re selling or offering.
Contact: Make it easy for visitors to reach you. Include a form, email address, phone number or all three.
If you’re selling online, you’ll also need product pages, a shopping cart and secure payment options.
Optimize for search engines
A beautiful website is useless if no one can find it. That’s where search engine optimization (SEO) comes in. SEO helps your site rank higher on Google, making it easier for potential customers to discover you.
Start with these basics:
Use relevant keywords. For example, a Seattle-based yoga studio could use “Seattle yoga classes” in its content.
Add meta descriptions—those short blurbs under search results—for each page.
Optimize images by using descriptive file names and reducing file sizes for faster loading.
Invest in content
Your website isn’t just about selling; it’s about connecting. Quality content helps build trust, answer customer questions and keep visitors coming back. Start with these ideas:
Blog posts: Share tips, industry insights or updates about your business.
FAQs: Answer common questions to save your customers—and yourself—time.
Testimonials: Showcase happy customers to boost credibility.
Fresh content also helps with SEO, so aim to update your site regularly.
Don’t forget security
Online security is crucial, especially if you’re handling customer data or payments. Make sure your site has an SSL certificate—those are the “https” URLs with the little padlock icon. Most website builders include SSL for free. Also, use strong passwords and update them regularly.
Test, launch and refine
Once your site is built, test it thoroughly. Click every link, proofread every word and check its functionality on different devices. Ask friends or family to give feedback, they might spot things you’ve overlooked.
When you’re ready, hit “publish” and share your site everywhere: social media, email signatures and even your business cards. Remember, a website is never truly “done.” Keep refining it based on customer feedback and analytics.
Final thoughts
Building a website might feel overwhelming at first, but it’s also an exciting opportunity to share your vision with the world. Take it one step at a time, stay true to your brand and remember that even small improvements can make a big difference. By focusing on the basics, you’ll create a site that not only attracts visitors but also turns them into loyal customers.
Start building your website today and create a digital presence that truly represents your brand. Whether you’re selling products, showcasing your services or sharing your story, the right website can help you connect with customers and grow. Don’t wait, take the first step now and get started. Learn more and sign up for your free trial.