What do you need for your small business website?
(Disclaimer: affiliate links ahead. I only recommend what I use!)
Have you ever tried to buy something online, only to give up in frustration because the website was confusing, outdated, or impossible to navigate? You’re not alone—and chances are, your potential customers feel the same when they land on a poorly designed site.
Your website is your digital storefront. And yet, I see so many business owners who invest heavily in their physical shops, signage, or packaging, while completely neglecting their small business website. Whether you’re a freelancer, café owner, or creative entrepreneur, a professional and functional small business website is no longer optional—it’s a vital part of running your business in the digital age.
As a website designer, I’ve seen firsthand how a well-structured website can build trust, attract leads, and turn casual visitors into paying clients. But what does it really take to create a website for a small business that works? And how do you manage the cost to create a small business website without sacrificing quality?
In this post, I’ll walk you through the 10 must-haves every small business website needs to succeed, so you can build a site that works as hard as you do. I’ll also share the cost of creating a small business website at the end of this post, but if you want to jump ahead, I recommend my article on the 2025 website creation costs.
1. Clear Branding
Every small business website should instantly reflect your brand. That means consistent use of your logo, colours, fonts, and tone of voice. Strong branding builds familiarity and helps your business look more trustworthy and professional.
💡 Tip: Upload a favicon (that tiny logo in the browser tab) to boost brand recognition.
2. A Mobile-Friendly Design
Over 60% of traffic to a small business website comes from mobile devices. Your site must look good and function well on every screen size. A responsive design is a must when you create a website for a small business—don’t skip it.
💡 Test your site on both Android and iOS to catch layout issues early.
3. A Compelling Homepage
When someone lands on your homepage, they should instantly understand who you are and what you offer. Include:
- A headline that communicates your value
- A short intro about your business
- A call-to-action (CTA) that guides them to their next step
This is the most important page to get right when you create a website for a small business.
💡 Think: “What do I want a visitor to do within 5 seconds of arriving?”
4. Easy Navigation
Your website should be easy to explore. A clean, well-organised menu with 5–7 items is ideal. Use dropdowns if needed, but avoid overwhelming your visitor. When planning the cost to create a small business website, make room for smart design and usability.
💡 Sticky headers (menus that stay visible as you scroll) can improve the user experience.
5. Service or Product Pages That Convert
Each product or service deserves its page. These should clearly explain the benefits, answer common questions, and include a CTA like “Book Now” or “Buy Now.” When you create a website for a small business, these are the pages that drive revenue.
💡 Use bullet points and subheadings to make your copy easy to scan.
6. Visible Contact Information
Make it easy for people to reach you. Your small business website should have:
- A contact form
- Your email
- Phone number
- Social links
- Physical address and embedded map (if you’re location-based)
💡 Always repeat your contact info in the footer—many users look there instinctively.
7. Trust Signals
A good small business website inspires confidence. Include:
- Testimonials from happy clients
- Client logos or brand partners
- Media features or certifications
- A privacy policy and terms of service
💡 Use real photos of yourself, your team, or your work—not just stock images.
8. Fast Load Speed
A slow site can drive visitors away. When estimating the cost of creating a small business website, remember that quality hosting plays a significant role. Fast loading keeps users engaged and improves your SEO ranking.
💡 I recommend Hostinger for its speed, value, and friendliness for beginners.
9. Search Engine Optimisation (SEO)
Good SEO makes your small business website easier to find. Make sure to:
- Use keywords like “create website for small business” and “cost to create a small business website”
- Optimise titles, meta descriptions, and image alt text
- Link internally between related pages
💡 Using WordPress? Install SEO plugins like AIOSEO or Yoast to help with on-page optimisation. You can also make use of my free SEO audit to see if your small business website is on the right track!
10. Clear Calls-to-Action (CTA)
Each page should guide the visitor towards one key action: scheduling a call, making a purchase, or signing up. A small business website without strong CTAS often loses leads.
💡 Use action verbs like “Start,” “Book,” “Buy,” or “Get” to make your CTA clear and clickable.
Bonus: Build With Tools You Can Trust
If you’re wondering where to start, begin with tools that have been proven to work. I personally recommend Hostinger for hosting and WordPress as a powerful, flexible website builder. Here is a comparison between Hostinger web hosting services and WordPress (via Pressable).
Together, they keep the cost to create a small business website low while giving you complete control and scalability.
Also, a quick summary to highlight the cost of creating a website for a small business. Apart from web hosting services, you also have to pay for other services such as a professional email or an elegant-looking theme (if you use WordPress). The cost of time to search for services you would use can be very high. If you have zero web design experience, I don’t recommend doing it yourself. You might end up spending more than you expect. Hiring someone who knows what they are doing and can recommend you services will save you time, even if it costs slightly more than what you budgeted. As a guideline, I would say to budget about US$500 to hire someone, and perhaps about the same if you want to create your own website. However, the cost of creating your website will be higher because you’ll waste precious time figuring out things like web hosting, domain names, SEO, and even how to write good content. Those are hours that are not quantifiable at all!
Final Thoughts
Creating a great small business website doesn’t have to be overwhelming—or expensive. Focus on these 10 essential features and choose the right tools from the start. Whether you’re just starting or looking to improve what you already have, it’s entirely possible to create a website for small business success on a budget. If you are working with someone, be honest and share your expectations. A professional web designer will be able to recommend suitable platforms and work within your budget.
Need help launching or revamping your site?
Contact me at hello@writedesignproductions.com, and I’ll guide you through setting up your small business website using Hostinger or WordPress.
About Me
I’m a website creator who helps small businesses build clean, high-converting websites using platforms like Hostinger, WordPress, and Shopify. With a strong background in SEO and content writing, I don’t just design websites—I craft digital experiences that rank, convert, and grow with your business. Whether you need a brand-new site or an SEO refresh, I’ve got you covered from strategy to launch.