So you’ve decided to build a website for your business. First of all yay, go you! Whether you’re a plant shop owner with a thing for ferns named after Harry Potter characters or a freelance writer who dreams in Oxford commas and iced coffee, a simple website is your online home base. And like any good home, it should be welcoming, easy to navigate, and maybe smell a little like fresh cookies.
But don’t worry this isn’t a 48-page thesis on HTML. We’re going to keep this light, sparkly, and totally doable. Here’s what your business website actually needs to make a great impression, attract the right people, and convert curious visitors into loyal customers who want to support you forever (and maybe send you dog memes, too).
Let’s start with your vibe. Your branding is like the outfit your website wears on its first date with every new visitor. Your logo? Needs to be front and center like it’s your name on a marquee. Your colors and fonts? Stick with just a few and use them consistently. Think charming, not chaotic. You want people to remember your brand like they remember their first slow-dance song.
Now for the map. A clean, easy-to-follow navigation bar is non-negotiable. No one should feel like they’re stuck in a digital corn maze trying to find your contact form. Keep your menu simple. Think: Home, About, Services, Shop, Contact. And yes, we do want a Contact page that isn’t hiding in the footer like it’s in witness protection. Drop in an email address, maybe a phone number, your business hours, and embed a little map if you have a physical location. Extra points if your form is user-friendly and doesn’t make people feel like they’re applying for a passport.
Oh! Speaking of the About page please don’t skip this. This is where your personality shines. Tell us your origin story. Not just “We started in 2019,” but “We started in a garage with two dogs, three types of tea, and one big dream: to make handmade planners that actually make you feel excited to organize your life.” Share your mission. Introduce your team if you have one. Add a photo. This is the place for warm fuzzies and realness.
If you sell things—or offer services—make it so easy to understand what you do. Use high-quality images. List prices clearly. Add calls to action like “Book a Free Consult” or “Add to Cart.” These buttons are your wingmen. Use them often. Make them pop.
And your site? It has to work on phones. No excuses. Most people will meet your website on a tiny screen while lying on their couch in pajamas. Make it a good experience. That means responsive design: mobile-friendly menus, text that doesn’t require zooming, and buttons big enough to tap without needing elf-sized fingers.
Let’s not forget your secret superpower: testimonials. Show off those happy customers like they’re Oscar winners. A kind quote about your work builds major trust. Bonus points if you include names, locations, or even a little picture (with permission, obviously).
And content—whether it’s a blog or just well-written page copy—matters. You don’t have to be a Pulitzer prize winner, but you should aim for clarity, kindness, and maybe even a little charm. Share tips. Share behind-the-scenes stories. Share that time you tried to fix your own printer and almost moved to the woods. Being relatable is a strength.
Also SEO. I know. Not the most glamorous part. But it’s kind of like brushing your teeth—it’s what keeps things healthy behind the scenes. Use keywords that match what your dream customers would search for. Add meta tags. Keep your loading speed snappy. And install Google Analytics so you can learn which pages people love, and which ones they ghost like a bad Hinge date.
And while we’re being practical:
- Please install an SSL certificate. It’s the lock symbol in your URL bar. No lock = no trust.
- Add accessibility features like alt text for images and readable fonts. Accessibility isn’t optional—it’s respect.
- And yes, sadly, you do need a privacy policy. Doesn’t have to be fancy. Just clear.
Optional but delightful things? A newsletter signup form which you own your email list, unlike social media. A chatbot or live chat box for quick questions. A blog if you want to share tips, updates, or spicy takes. And a FAQ page can save your inbox from filling with “how long is shipping?” 24/7.
Here’s the real secret though: websites aren’t ever truly “done.” They grow with you. Add new projects. Update your copy. Swap photos. Refresh your About page when you finally stop working out of your kitchen or decide you never want to. Treat your site like a garden, not a statue.
At the end of the day, a good business website says: “Hey. Here’s what I do, here’s who I am, and here’s how you can work with me.” That’s it. You don’t need ten thousand features. You just need heart, clarity, and a sprinkle of personality.
