Everyone tells you when you start your business to make sure you have a website, right? But, no one tells you what that website should have on it, what your audience wants to know, or how you go about building your website in the first place! 

As a small business owner with a million fires to put out on a daily basis, it’s hard to focus on your own business, believe me, I relate! Between the client meetings, new project kick-offs and website launches I’ve got school events, sports games and practices and lots of holiday shopping to squeeze in. Surprise! Throw in a kid home-sick and everything can go off the rails! 

Tips For Developing Your Small Business Website

Whether you’re just starting out your business website and want to do it right, or you’ve realized your website isn’t working for you and you need to do something to turn that around, you’ve come to the right place. 

In any given month I’m working on 3-4 different website projects, so I’ve seen it all. I’ve seen the hold-ups, what gets you stuck, and I’ve seen what works and what doesn’t in a variety of different industries. 

I’ve also done some research on this, and read a number of blogs from other agencies (large and small) to different marketers, online businesses, etc. to see what they have to say about it. Thanks to AI tools like Claude and Perplexity I am able to find and consume more information faster, so I can better provide my take on it to you. 

Through all of this, I’ve found there are 3 Important areas you need to concentrate on when building your website. And, as a bonus, I’ve included a 4th, because I think  it pulls together areas from the other 3 areas and together, thinking about all of these and implementing them appropriately will get you a website that works for you.

women writing a checklist in front of a tablet with a cup of coffee

1. Responsive Design

A responsive design isn’t a luxury, it is a necessity. Responsive design ensures that your website looks and functions flawlessly on all devices, including desktops, tablets, and smartphones. With over 50% of web traffic coming from mobile devices, a website that doesn’t adapt is essentially turning away half of its potential audience.

Adaptability enhances user experience because you are thinking about the user on each screen size they are accessing your website on.  Websites that automatically adjust their layout and content based on the device being used are more likely to retain visitors and encourage engagement which in turn helps improve your search engine rankings. 

What does it mean if your website is responsive? Here’s a checklist you can work from:

User experience is paramount in today’s digital landscape. If your website doesn’t check all the boxes it’s not working as hard as it should be for you.

2. Clear & Compelling Content

Content is the backbone of any and every  website. Your content must be well-written, engaging, and relevant to your target audience. High-quality content not only informs users about your products or services but also plays a significant role in search engine optimization (SEO). 

Within seconds of landing on your website, visitors should understand:

  • What you do
  • Why you’re different
  • What value you provide

Your homepage should immediately communicate your unique selling point through:

  • A concise, powerful headline
  • A brief subheadline explaining your service or product
  • Clear, benefit-focused content
  • Strong, visible call-to-action buttons

Think of your website as a digital elevator pitch. You have mere moments to capture a visitor’s attention and convince them to stay, explore, or take action. Using various content types—such as text, images, and videos—can also help enhance user engagement and improve overall site performance, but too image or video heavy can hinder it, slowing down page load speeds and frustrating users, so you must use a balance!

3. Intuitive Navigation & Trust Building

Clear and intuitive navigation is vital for helping users find the information they need quickly and easily. A well-structured menu and logical layout allow visitors to navigate your site without confusion. From the moment a user lands on your website you must help them easily get to what they are looking for, while building their trust along the way. In order to do this there are a few things you should do: 

  • Include a prominent header with essential links
  • Add additional navigation options and professional contact information in your footer
  • Ensure customer testimonials are visible and help tell your story
  • Promote organizations you are a part of in your community and network

Good navigation and a clear path to what the user is looking for reduces bounce rates and increases the likelihood of conversions.

Bonus: 4. Ensuring Security

In an era of increasing online threats and privacy concerns, building trust is crucial. Your website must include:

  • SSL certification (HTTPS)
  • Clear links to your privacy policy, cookie policy and terms & conditions
  • Secure payment gateways (if applicable)
  • Include any relevant trust badges and security seals

These elements reassure visitors that your website is legitimate, secure, and committed to protecting their personal information.

Let’s Build a Small Business Website that Rocks

A successful website is more than just an online brochure. It’s a dynamic, user-friendly platform that communicates your value, protects your visitors, and provides a seamless experience across all devices. By focusing on responsive design, clear content, and intuitive navigation, you’ll create a website that not only attracts visitors but converts them into loyal customers.

Remember, in the digital world, your website is often your most powerful marketing tool. Make it count. Contact us today to get started building your website.