How to make a business website: A step-by-step guide for business owners 

Key takeaways:

• A business website builds credibility and visibility. Having a professional site increases audience reach and customer conversion.
• Fast, mobile-friendly websites perform better. Meeting Google’s Core Web Vitals and mobile-first indexing standards can improve both rankings and user experience.
• Website builders like Network Solutions make setup simple. You can easily create, customize, and optimize your site efficiently and affordably.

Having a website is one of the simplest ways to help your business grow. Recent data shows that around 81% of consumers go online to find information, and 86% of visitors want to see information about a company’s offerings on their website’s homepage.

The good news is that creating a website no longer needs to be costly or time-consuming. With today’s tools, you can design and publish your site quickly, even without technical skills. AI website builders make the process faster and more affordable, helping you stay focused on running your business.

This guide will walk you through every step of creating a business website that fits your goals and grows along with your company. And when you’re ready to jumpstart your website, our Website Builder is here for you: pick a ready-made design, adjust it to match your brand, and go live in a matter of minutes.

How to properly set up a business website

Building an online business website requires planning, the right tools, and a touch of imagination and personalization.

Follow this step-by-step guide for a professional online presence that works for your business:

1. Define your website goals and purposes
2. Understand your target audience
3. Analyze competitor sites
4. Plan your website structure
5. Set your budget
6. Choose and register a domain name
7. Choose a website builder
8. Choose a hosting provider
9. Define your branding and content
10. Set up and customize your website design
11. Set up business email and SSL certificate
12. Optimize your website for search engines
13. Test your site
14. Launch your website
15. Promote your website
16. Maintain and update your site regularly

Step 1: Define your website goals and purposes 

Start by identifying what you want your website to achieve. Your goals will guide every design and content choice you’ll make.

Here are some common objectives with actionable tips to consider:

• Sell products or services online: Build an e-commerce site that provides a secure browsing experience.
• Generate leads: Add forms, chat features, or quote requests.
• Provide company information: Share your story, team background, and contact information.
• Offer online services: Include booking systems, live support, or client portals.

Step 2: Understand target audience (needs, preferences, online behaviors)

A successful website resonates with the target audience. Before designing or writing anything, take time to learn who your visitors are, what they need, and how they behave online.

Use tools like Google Analytics 4 (GA4), Google Trends, and social media insights to identify demographics, interests, and browsing habits. Evaluate customer feedback and online reviews to understand common questions or pain points.

Once you know your audience, tailor your content, visuals, and messaging to match their expectations. Personalizing your website content toward your target customers improves engagement and encourages visitors to take action.  

Step 3: Analyze competitor sites

Studying other businesses in your niche helps you identify what works (and what doesn’t). Take note of their website structure, design elements, and the way they present their products or services.

Use SEO tools like Ahrefs, SEMrush, or SE Ranking to review competitor keywords, backlinks, and overall traffic performance. Along with your review, you’ll find topics that attract visitors and where there’s room for improvement.

Most importantly, look for opportunities to create stronger content or offer a smoother user experience (UX); capitalize on your competitors’ gaps. This gives your website a more distinctive edge when it launches.

Step 4: Plan your website structure

A clear and well-organized website helps visitors find what they need, supporting stronger search performance. Before you begin designing, map out your key website pages and how they connect.

Common pages to include:

• Home: Summarizes your business, products, and main value proposition
• About us: Shares your story, values, and team background
• Products / Services: List what you offer, with descriptions and pricing details where applicable
• Contact us: Displays your address, phone number, and a simple contact form

For improved local SEO/local search, consider location-based service pages only if your business serves specific cities, regions, or states. For example, a cleaning company operating in New York and New Jersey can create separate pages for each area.

Include pillar pages to group related content under broader themes. These pages help search engines understand your expertise and facilitate easier navigation for users.

Additional points for scalability:

• Design a flexible hierarchy that can accommodate future categories or services.
• Use internal links strategically to connect relevant pages and strengthen your site’s SEO.

Step 5: Set your budget

Establishing a budget helps you plan your website efficiently and avoid overspending. Decide early how much you’re willing to invest and allocate funds to the areas that matter most.

Look at these key cost considerations:

• Domain and hosting: Count these in your estimation of annual expenses to maintain your website’s uptime, stability, and security.
• Website builder or CMS: Whether it’s a free tool or a paid one, choose an option that fits your budget and technical comfort level.
• Design and branding: You can use ready-made website templates or hire a freelance web developer/designer for a more customized look.
• Content creation: Your website needs content to attract clicks. Factor in writing, photography, and graphics into your budget.
• Marketing and SEO: Website visibility is the difference between success and failure. Set aside funds for promoting your site, running ads, or using SEO tools.

If your budget allows, consider hiring professional marketing or IT services for faster and more efficient results, especially if you prefer to focus on business operations while experts handle the technical aspects.

Step 6: Choose and register a domain name 

Before you can build a functional and professional website, you need a domain name. A domain name is the web address people will use to find your business online. When you pick a name, always ensure it’s short, memorable, and unique.

Registering domain names that are similar to existing businesses can create confusion and even legal issues if trademarks are involved. A unique domain helps your business stand out and protects your brand.

You can register your own domain name easily through Network Solutions’ Domain Services. We offer a wide selection of extensions and management tools for simpler and more secure online domain management.

Step 7: Choose a website builder  

Selecting the right site builder makes creating and managing your site much easier, especially if you’re not a tech whiz. Below is a comparison of several top-rated builders. Use this to decide which one aligns with your budget and growth plan.

Website builder	Key features	Starting price	Best for
Network Solutions Website Builder	Easy-to-use templates, integrated domain and hosting with NS, simplified workflow	$1.99/mo, renews at $16.99/month	Businesses who prefer one provider to handle domain, hosting, builder
Wix	Drag-and-drop editor, 900 + templates, AI-assisted design, scalable e-commerce	$17/mo (billed monthly)	Businesses wanting design flexibility and e-commerce growth
Squarespace	High-quality templates, strong blogging and SEO tools, all-in-one hosting	$16/mo (billed monthly)	Service businesses, creatives, those prioritising design
Shopify	Built for e-commerce: large app ecosystem, scalable online stores, payment integration	$39/mo (billed monthly)	Businesses focused on online selling and growth
WordPress.com	CMS-style builder, huge plugin ecosystem, more control/customisation	$9/mo (built monthly)	Businesses needing flexibility, blogs, or custom features

For a deeper look at platform pros and cons, check out our guide to the best website builders. It breaks down more options and helps you match the right builder to your goals and experience level.

Disclaimer: Prices are approximate and subject to change without notice. Always check current plan details and visit each provider’s official website for more details.

Step 8: Choose a hosting provider

Reliable web hosting keeps your site fast, secure, and available. It’s the foundation of your online presence; poor hosting can lead to downtime and slow loading speeds, affecting your search rankings.

When choosing a provider, look for these key features:

Hosting feature	Why it matters	What to look for
SSL/TLS certificates (HTTPS)	Encrypts data and builds customer trust	Built-in or free SSL certificates with automatic renewal
Automatic backups	Protects your site from accidental loss or cyberattacks	Daily or weekly backups stored on secure servers
Malware scanning and removal	Prevents your site from being compromised	Continuous monitoring and one-click removal tools
Firewall protection	Blocks harmful traffic and attacks	Managed firewall services with real-time updates
Uptime guarantee	Keeps your website accessible to users	Minimum of 99.9% uptime
Fast loading speeds	Affects SEO rankings and user satisfaction	Data centers near your target audience and Content Delivery Network (CDN) support
Customer support	Quick issue resolution saves time and revenue	24/7 technical support through chat, email, or phone

Some website builders like ours already include hosting as part of the plans, including even SSL certificates, daily backups, and malware protection for extra protection and security.

If you’re managing your website manually, choose a hosting provider that scales with traffic and offers solid customer support.

Step 9: Define your branding and content 

Your website needs to look and feel consistent from the start. Use the same colors, fonts, logos, and tone across every page. Keep the layout simple and easy to follow. 

When creating good website content, speak directly to your audience. Use clear headlines, short paragraphs, and visuals that support your message. When these work together, visitors are more likely to take action. 

Step 10: Set up and customize your website design 

In your website builder, choose a template that fits your business and aligns with your brand. Use high-quality images and readable fonts. Keep the layout clean and simple. 

Choose website templates carefully and ensure the design looks good on both desktop and mobile. A cluttered or outdated design can drive people away. 

Step 11: Set up business email and SSL certificate  

Credibility and security play a big role in how people see your website. If your site feels unprofessional or unsafe, visitors are less likely to stick around or get in touch. 

Using a business email that matches your custom domain name helps your professionalism. It shows that you’re organized and serious about your business. 

You’ll also need to secure your website with an SSL certificate (if it doesn’t come included in your website builder package). It’s important because it protects the information people enter on your site, like contact forms or payment details. 

Step 12. Optimize your website for search engines 

SEO helps your website appear on search engines. Good SEO improves visibility, attracts quality traffic, and helps potential customers find you faster.

Start by using simple, clear keywords that reflect what your customers might look up. Add those keywords to your page titles, headings, and descriptions so search engines can understand your content.

For advanced SEO, take note of the following aspects:

1. Technical SEO

Make sure your website meets Google’s technical standards:

• Mobile-friendliness: With Google’s mobile-first indexing, your site must work well on phones and tablets.
• Site speed: Optimize images and enable caching. Poor performance can lower conversions by up to 7%.
• Sitemap: Submit an XML sitemap so search engines can easily find all your pages.
• Structured data markup: Add schema tags to help Google display rich results, such as ratings or business info.

2. On-page SEO

Refine your site content and layout for both users and search engines:

• Use clear, descriptive URLs.
• Write engaging, keyword-rich content that answers visitor questions.
• Add alt text to describe images.
• Include internal links to related pages to help visitors explore more. Make sure to use relevant anchor text as well.
• Review your meta titles and descriptions to make them accurate and inviting.

3. Off-page SEO

Boost your website’s authority through activities outside your site with the following:

• Build backlinks from reputable sources.
• Use social media platforms to promote your content and engage your audience.
• Write guest blogs to reach new readers.
• Improve local SEO by creating and optimizing a Google Business Profile and collecting reviews.

These can be a lot for busy small business owners. In that case, check out our SEO Tools and SEO Pro Services to take care of them for you.

Step 13: Test your site

Before launching, thoroughly test your website to make sure everything works as intended. Testing helps you identify and fix problems that could affect user experience, security, or search visibility.

What to check before launch:

• Functionality: Test contact forms, buttons, and navigation menus to confirm that all links and features work correctly.
• Performance: Use tools like Google PageSpeed Insights, Lighthouse, or GTmetrix to review page load speed and Core Web Vitals.
• Mobile experience: View your site on different devices, especially mobile devices, to ensure proper layout and responsiveness.
• Browser compatibility: Check that your site looks and functions the same on Chrome, Safari, Firefox, and Edge.
• SEO readiness: Confirm that your sitemap, meta titles, and structured data are in place.
• Security: Verify that your SSL certificate is active and that pages load securely under HTTPS.

Step 14: Launch your website

After thoroughly testing everything, it’s time for launch. It’ll mark the moment your business officially opens its digital doors, so plan it carefully. Here are some pointers you should remember before you hit publish:

1. Go live with confidence

If you built your site on Network Solutions’ Website Builder, publishing is straightforward: click Publish, and your site instantly goes live with domain, hosting, and SSL all connected. If you used another platform, point your domain to your hosting provider and verify that your DNS settings are correct.

2. Announce your launch strategically

Choose a launch time when your audience is most active, like weekday mornings. Let customers know your website is now live through email, social media, or in-store signage. Include a clear call to action like “Visit our new site to explore our latest offers.”

3. Monitor the first few days closely

Keep an eye on performance data and user behavior through GA4 and Google Search Console. Watch for any sudden spikes in bounce rates, broken links, or traffic drops.

4. Create a post-launch checklist

• Verify your contact forms and payment gateways are functioning.
• Check that your site is indexed in Google results.
• Back up your entire site immediately after launch.
• Record baseline data (traffic, conversions) to measure growth later.

Step 15: Promote website

Now that your website’s live, your next step is to drive traffic. Promoting your website helps you reach your target audience and start generating leads or sales.

Take action with the following steps:

1. Use social media to spread the word

Share your launch on platforms where your customers are most active, such as Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, or X. Post regular updates, promotions, and helpful content to encourage conversions.

2. Launch email marketing campaigns

Announce your new site to existing customers through an email newsletter. Include direct links to your most important pages, such as new products, services, or a limited-time offer.

3. Get listed in online directories

Submit your business to trusted directories like Google Business Profile and Yelp. Even better, avail business directory services like Network Solutions’ Pro Business Directories for easier directory listings and management. This enhances your local visibility, making it easier for nearby customers to find you.

4. Consider pay-per-click (PPC) advertising

Run targeted ads to bring immediate traffic to your site. Start with Google Ads or Meta Ads, and set a small daily budget to test what works. If you’d prefer expert help, consider our PPC Advertising Services to manage your campaigns for stronger results.

5. Build credibility through content

Publish useful blog posts, case studies, or tutorials related to your products or services. Valuable content encourages returning users and helps search engines recognize your site as a trusted source.

6. Encourage customer engagement

Add links to your website in your social media accounts and email signatures. Ask satisfied customers to share your pages or leave reviews; authentic feedback increases trust and word-of-mouth exposure.

Step 16: Maintain and update your site regularly  

A website needs regular upkeep to stay accurate and trustworthy. If your information is outdated, visitors lose confidence or miss important details.

Update your content regularly to reflect any changes, such as new services, pricing, or business hours. Check for broken links, outdated visuals, and pages that no longer perform well. Adding new blog posts or announcements keeps your site fresh and can help improve your search rankings.

Maintenance tip: Periodically review your navigation and site layout to ensure pages remain relevant and easy to find. As your business grows, you may need to reorganize menus or remove sections that no longer serve your audience.

How to ensure your small business website is high-quality 

A high-quality website helps visitors feel confident in your business and take the next step. If you want your website to make a strong first impression and encourage people to return, focus on key areas, such as UX, clear purpose, and professional design:

• Optimize page loading speed to minimize bounce rates
• Prioritize security
• Conduct routine maintenance
• Ensure quality content

Optimize page loading speed to minimize bounce rates 

Speed plays a big role in how long visitors stay on your site. Many people leave if a page takes too long to load. Improving load times helps keep visitors on your pages and makes it easier for search engines to understand your content.

Here are some tools for checking and improving your site’s speed:

• Google PageSpeed Insights: Reviews mobile and desktop loading performance and highlights issues.
• Lighthouse: Offers audits for performance, accessibility, SEO, and mobile experience.
• GTmetrix: Provides detailed reports and waterfall charts for identifying slow elements.
• Google Search Console (Core Web Vitals reports): Helps you find pages with slow Largest Contentful Paint times, which often affect rankings.

Compress images, remove unnecessary scripts, use caching, and ensure your hosting plan delivers steady performance. 

Prioritize security 

If your site looks risky or unprotected, people will hesitate to stay or interact with it. 

Beyond using SSL, you can further enhance your website’s security with tools like SiteLock. It automatically scans your website for malware, checks for vulnerabilities, and removes threats before they cause damage. 

Conduct routine maintenance 

Even a well-built website can lose momentum if it’s not maintained. Broken links, outdated content, slow pages, and missing updates all add up. In fact:

• Over 66% of backlinks are broken, making it critical to regularly check link health.
• When pages are more than a year old, they mostly rank well (while also considering content quality and backlink profile). Your updates don’t need to be constant, but they do need to be meaningful.

To help you keep your site in top shape, use the following tools for ongoing maintenance: 

• Ahrefs, Semrush, SE Ranking, GA4, Google Search Console: Track traffic, search performance, indexing issues, and keyword trends.
• Screaming Frog, Ahrefs Broken Link Checker, SEMrush Site Audit: Detect broken links, duplicate content, and technical issues. 

It also helps to approach maintenance with a simple routine. Conduct updates during low-traffic hours so visitors aren’t affected, and record any changes you make; these make it easier to trace improvements or diagnose problems later. For more efficient data collection, keep a short maintenance log of updates, including when they were done and what still needs attention. 

Ensure quality content 

Keeping your website up to date is similar to regularly restocking and rearranging your store shelves. It’s important for two main reasons:  

• Accuracy: You want your in-store signs to reflect the latest deals. Similarly, your website should display current information, including services and pricing. Outdated details can confuse potential customers.  
• Engagement: Fresh content and images are like new arrivals in your store; they catch people’s attention. Regular updates signal to visitors that your business is active and dedicated to providing up-to-date information.  

Especially with the advent of AI, websites are more prone to falling (and being accused) of the “AI slop” issue. That’s why website owners, including SMB owners, are encouraged to double down on developing and maintaining high-quality website content.

Bottom line: Refreshing your website with accurate content, images, services, and pricing helps maintain a lively and reliable online presence.  

Why does your business need a website?  

Your business needs a website because customers expect to find trustworthy, up-to-date information online before they decide where to spend their money. A website works as your always-on storefront, showing what you offer and how to contact or buy from you. Without it, you miss people who search on Google, maps, and social media for a business like yours.

A good website also improves search visibility, builds your brand, and supports everything from customer service to online sales.

It helps you:

• Achieve online visibility and accessibility. A website gives people a reliable place to find you, regardless of where they found you first. Visitors can check your hours, location, prices, and services without needing to call. If you sell online or offer remote services, your website can also reach people outside your local area.

• Enhance online credibility and professionalism. A modern, well-organized site sends the message that you are active, established, and committed to helping your customers. Clear contact details, an About page that shares your story, and up-to-date service or product information all help visitors feel more comfortable choosing you.
• Expand marketing and branding. Your website is a vital meeting point for all your marketing efforts. It’s where you can tell your brand story in detail and explain what makes you different from competitors.
• Streamline customer engagement and support. Aside from presenting information, your website also helps you communicate and solve problems, serving as an information hub. You can publish FAQs, how-to articles, blog posts, and simple guides that answer common questions before a customer ever needs to contact you.
• Boost sales and revenue (sites with e-commerce capabilities). If you add e-commerce features to your site, you can turn it from a digital brochure to a direct source of income. You can list products, let customers add items to a cart, and accept payments online for a more convenient purchasing experience.
• Gain a competitive advantage and scalability. A professional website gives you an edge over businesses that rely only on social media profiles or outdated pages. For example, you can use your site to publish useful content, run online ads, and connect your social channels back to key pages.

Frequently asked questions

Ready to make a business website that works?

A strong business website attracts new customers and drives real growth. Whether you’re ready to start from scratch or want to improve your existing site, the right setup can make a noticeable difference in how customers find and engage with your business.

Not sure where to start? We make the process simple. From our easy-to-use Website Builder and built-in marketing tools to security and support services, you can launch your business website with confidence.