How to create a business website: Step-by-step guide for small businesses

Published Friday 10 October 2025

Table of contents

• Planning your business website
• How to create a business website
• Choosing the right website platform
• What goes on a website?
• Web writing tips
• 8 ways to ensure your website is high quality
• Website costs and budgeting
• Launch your website and manage your growing business
• FAQs on creating a business website

Key takeaways

• Plan your website's purpose and target audience before starting development to ensure your site supports specific business goals rather than creating a generic online presence.

• Register a domain name and choose web hosting that matches your business needs, with basic plans starting at $3-10 per month being sufficient for most small businesses.

• Include four essential pages on your website: a home page with clear messaging, a products/services page with pricing, an about page with your story, and a contact page with complete business information.

• Test your website across different devices and browsers before launch, then schedule regular reviews to keep content current and maintain professional credibility.

Planning your business website

Before you dive into design and development, it helps to have a clear plan. A great website starts with understanding your goals and what you want to achieve. Plan these details first to make the process smoother and more effective.

Start by asking yourself:

• What is the main purpose of your site? Is it to sell products, generate leads, provide information, or book appointments?
• Who is your target audience? Think about your ideal customer and what they need from your website.
• What makes your business unique? Your website should clearly communicate your brand's personality and what sets you apart from the competition.

Answering these questions helps you create a website that looks good and supports your business goals.

How to create a business website

Creating a business website involves nine essential steps that take you from initial planning to a live, professional site. This process typically takes 2–4 weeks and costs between $100–$500 for most small businesses.

Here's your complete roadmap:

1. Register a domain name (your website's web address like yourcompany.com):
2. Web hosting stores your website files on servers so people can access your site online:
3. Match your hosting plan to your business needs:
4. Pick a template or get a custom design. You can have a website designed from scratch, but many businesses use pre-designed templates. There are thousands available. You can add your text and images, or ask a developer to tweak the template to fit your brand.
5. Get a logo. A well-designed quality logo can make you look incredibly professional. If you don't have a logo, check out design services like Tailor Brands, Fiverr.com and 99Designs.com. Ensure your choice of colours and typeface fit your brand. You want a consistent theme across all of your stuff.
6. Add your content. You don't need to copy your competitors, but see what works for them. Then focus on how you can stand out.
7. Test your website. Visit your site from different devices and browsers. Make sure it displays correctly on all of them. Ask friends and family for feedback.
8. Hit publish. Publish your site and let people know it's live. Email your customers and contacts. Add your site to local directories. Ask business associates to link to your site.
9. Set review and refresh dates. Schedule regular reviews to update your site. Keep your information accurate. Date any topical content or update it as needed.

Choosing the right website platform

With your plan ready, choose a website platform. You don't need to be a tech expert. Many tools are designed for business owners, not developers. Here are the most common options:

• Website builders: Tools like Wix, Squarespace, or Weebly offer drag-and-drop interfaces and pre-made templates. They are user-friendly and great for beginners who want a professional-looking site without coding.
• Content management systems (CMS): Platforms like WordPress give you more flexibility and control. They have a steeper learning curve but offer endless customization with themes and plugins.
• Custom development: Hiring a web developer to build a site from scratch provides the most tailored solution. This is the most expensive option and is typically for businesses with very specific needs.

For most small businesses, a website builder is a simple, affordable way to get a professional site.

What goes on a website?

Essential website pages help customers understand your business and take action. Every business website needs these four core pages:

1. Home page (your website's front door):
2. Products and services page:
3. About: Share your background and list any organizational or professional memberships. Focus on why you started your business. Let your passion show. Add customer testimonials here.
4. Contact us: Provide your email and business postal address, and include links to your social media accounts. A lot of people still like to see a phone number too. If you have a physical address, embed a Google map. And list your business hours.

Web writing tips

• Write less. Keep your content concise.
• Use descriptive headings. Make it easy for readers to scan your content.
• Make it clean. Use larger fonts and plenty of white space for easier reading online.

Avoid the template trap

When you choose a website template, your site will only look like the sample if your headers and text blocks are similar in length. Write your content to fit the template. Otherwise, your site may look unbalanced.

Not everything on your site should sell

When you create a website, focus on your visitors' needs. Answer their questions and share useful information.

• . When people search online, your helpful articles can appear in search results. If your content is useful, readers may share it.
• Win prospects over. People love getting tips and tricks. If they pick up some valuable information on your site, they're going to feel good about doing business with you.
• Hold onto customers. When you answer your customers' questions before they ask, you build trust and loyalty.

Stay focused on your brand

When writing content for your website, it's invaluable to have something that can help focus your thoughts. Jot down the values that are most important to your brand and turn them into a word cloud. Sites like Worditout let you do it for free. Print it and post it on the wall where you're writing.

8 ways to ensure your website is high quality

High-quality websites convert more visitors into customers and build trust with your audience. These eight elements separate professional sites from amateur ones and directly impact your business success:

1. Relevant to your audience:
2. Professional appearance:
3. Trustworthy: Add an About page with your contact details, your story, and photos of your team.
4. Easy to find: Build a site that appears in local search results for your products and services. Search engine optimization (SEO) can help. The basics are easy to learn.
5. Connected to your social media: Some visitors prefer to connect on social media. Add links to your social accounts to show more of your brand's personality.
6. Bringing in feedback and testimonials: Invite customers to share reviews and testimonials about your service or product. Use their feedback to improve and build trust.
7. Always up to date: Keep your information current to show you care about your business. Remove old promotions and only include dates when necessary.
8. Easy purchasing process:

Website costs and budgeting

You can create a business website on a budget. Plan your website costs to make smart decisions and avoid surprises.

Here are the typical expenses to consider:

• Domain name: This is your web address (like yourbusiness.com). It usually costs around $10-20 per year.
• Website hosting: This is the service that keeps your site online. Costs vary, but many website builders include it in their monthly plans.
• Design and development: This can range from a free template to thousands of dollars for a custom design. Website builder plans often start around $15-30 per month.
• Maintenance: Plan for ongoing costs like software updates, security, and content changes, as well as staying current on financial regulations, which can change—for example, the IRS has discontinued Publication 535 on business expenses.

Think of your website as an investment. A well-planned budget ensures you can create a quality site that supports your business goals.

Launch your website and manage your growing business

Once your website is live, use it to attract customers and grow your business. Connect your site to your operations for the best results. As you receive new orders and inquiries, manage your finances with simple tools.

Xero gives you the tools to manage that growth with ease, helping you navigate evolving financial requirements, such as the IRS's introduction of the new 2023 Form 7206 for the self-employed health insurance deduction.

From tracking expenses and setting budgets to measuring your return on investment, Xero helps you stay in control of your finances while you focus on what you do best. Support your business's growth and try Xero for free today.

FAQs on creating a business website

Check out these FAQs on building a website for your small business.

Do you need an LLC to create a website?

No, you don't need an LLC or any other formal business structure to create a website. You can build a website as a sole proprietor. However, forming an LLC can provide legal protection for your personal assets, so it's a good idea to consult with a legal professional as your business grows.

Can I create my own business website for free?

Yes, you can. Many website builders like Wix, Weebly, and Google Sites offer free plans. These are great for getting started, but they often come with limitations, such as ads on your site and a branded domain name (for example, yourbusiness.wixsite.com). For a more professional look, a paid plan is usually a worthwhile investment.

How much does a simple business website cost?

A simple business website using a DIY website builder can cost between $15–$50 per month, which typically includes hosting and a custom domain. If you hire a freelance designer, expect to pay anywhere from $1,000–$5,000 for a basic site, with costs increasing for more complex features.