How to Get a Website Made for Your Business: The Complete Guide for Small Business Owners
So, you’re ready to take your business online and you’re asking yourself, “how to get a website made for my business?” You’re in the right place! In today’s digital age, a professional website isn’t just a luxury; it’s a fundamental necessity for any business looking to grow, attract new customers, and establish credibility. Whether you’re a budding entrepreneur or an established local shop, understanding the process of getting a website built can seem daunting. But don’t worry, it’s more straightforward than you might think, especially with the right guidance.
At SiteBirds, we specialize in making this process seamless and affordable for small businesses like yours. We believe that getting a high-quality, effective website shouldn’t break the bank or be overly complicated. This comprehensive guide will walk you through every step, from defining your vision to launching your site and beyond. Let’s dive in!
1. Define Your Website’s Purpose and Goals
Before you even think about design or code, the very first step in answering “how to get a website made for my business” is to clearly define its purpose. What do you want your website to achieve? Is it primarily an online brochure, an e-commerce store, a lead generation tool, or a combination? Having clear goals will guide every decision you make throughout the development process.
Ask Yourself These Key Questions:
- What is the primary objective of your website? (e.g., sell products, generate leads, provide information, build brand awareness, showcase a portfolio).
- Who is your target audience? Understanding their needs, demographics, and online behavior will influence your design and content.
- What actions do you want visitors to take? (e.g., make a purchase, fill out a contact form, call you, subscribe to a newsletter, download a resource).
- What kind of content will you need? (e.g., product descriptions, blog posts, service pages, testimonials, FAQs, images, videos).
- What are your competitors doing online? Analyze their websites for inspiration and identify areas where you can differentiate yourself.
For instance, if you run a local bakery, your goal might be to showcase your menu, allow online pre-orders, and provide your location and hours. If you’re a consultant, your goal might be to highlight your expertise, share case studies, and encourage potential clients to book a discovery call. Defining these elements upfront saves time and ensures your website is built with your business objectives in mind.
2. Choose Your Website Platform and Development Approach
Once you have a clear vision, the next crucial step in figuring out how to get a website made for my business is deciding on the platform and development approach. This decision significantly impacts flexibility, cost, and maintenance. There are generally three main paths:
A. DIY Website Builders (e.g., Wix, Squarespace)
These platforms offer drag-and-drop interfaces, making it possible for individuals with no coding experience to build a basic website. They are often the cheapest upfront option and provide an all-in-one solution for hosting and design.
Pros:
- Low initial cost.
- Easy to use for basic sites.
- Integrated hosting and support.
Cons:
- Limited customization options (you’re often stuck within their templates).
- Scalability can be an issue as your business grows.
- SEO capabilities can be restricted.
- You don’t own the underlying code or have full control over your site’s data.
B. Content Management Systems (CMS) (e.g., WordPress)
WordPress powers over 43% of all websites on the internet, and for good reason. It offers incredible flexibility, powerful features, and a vast ecosystem of plugins and themes. You’ll need to arrange your own hosting, but this gives you much more control.
Pros:
- Highly customizable and scalable.
- Excellent for SEO.
- Huge community support and vast plugin library.
- You own your website data and have full control.
- Cost-effective in the long run, especially for growing businesses.
Cons:
- Requires a bit more technical know-how than DIY builders (though many agencies like SiteBirds handle this for you).
- You’ll need to manage hosting and security updates (or have your agency do it).
C. Custom Coded Websites
This involves hiring developers to build a website from scratch using programming languages. This is typically reserved for very large businesses with unique, complex requirements.
Pros:
- Ultimate flexibility and unique features.
- Tailored precisely to your needs.
Cons:
- Extremely expensive.
- Long development times.
- Maintenance and updates can be costly.
For most small businesses, a CMS like WordPress strikes the perfect balance between affordability, flexibility, and power. At SiteBirds, we specialize in building professional WordPress websites precisely because of these benefits, ensuring you get a robust, future-proof online presence without the custom-coded price tag. You can learn more about why WordPress is often the best choice in our comparison: WordPress vs Wix vs Squarespace 2026 Comparison.
Website Platform Comparison for Small Businesses
| Feature | DIY Builders (Wix/Squarespace) | WordPress (Self-Hosted) | Custom Coded |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ease of Use | Very High (drag & drop) | Moderate (easier with agency) | Low (requires developers) |
| Customization | Limited (template-based) | High (themes, plugins, code) | Unlimited |
| Cost (Initial) | Low (monthly subscription) | Moderate (hosting, theme, plugins, agency fee) | Very High |
| Scalability | Limited | High | Very High |
| SEO Potential | Good (but often limited) | Excellent | Excellent |
| Ownership/Control | Limited (tied to platform) | Full (you own everything) | Full |
| Maintenance | Handled by platform | Requires attention (or agency) | Requires developers |
3. Gather Your Content and Design Assets
Once you’ve settled on the “how” of getting a website made for my business, it’s time to prepare the “what.” A beautiful website is only as effective as the content it presents. This phase involves gathering all the text, images, and branding elements that will populate your site.
Key Content Elements You’ll Need:
- Text/Copy: This includes your “About Us” story, service descriptions, product details, contact information, testimonials, FAQs, and any blog posts. Focus on clear, concise, and engaging language that speaks to your target audience. Think about what information your customers need and want to see.
- Images and Videos: High-quality visuals are crucial. This could include professional photos of your products, services, team, or business premises. If you have videos (e.g., product demos, customer testimonials), prepare those too. Stock photos can be a good starting point, but unique, high-quality images will always stand out.
- Branding Elements: Your logo, brand colors, preferred fonts, and any brand guidelines should be readily available. Consistency in branding helps build recognition and trust.
- Calls to Action (CTAs): What do you want people to do? “Buy Now,” “Get a Free Quote,” “Contact Us,” “Learn More.” Think about where these will be placed and what they will say.
Don’t underestimate the importance of good content. It’s not just about filling space; it’s about communicating your value, building trust, and guiding visitors towards your desired actions. If you struggle with writing compelling copy, consider hiring a professional copywriter or discussing content creation services with your web design agency. Many agencies, including SiteBirds, can offer guidance or even assist with content structure to ensure it’s optimized for both users and search engines (SEO).
4. Choose a Web Design Partner (or Start Building)
This is where the rubber meets the road for many small business owners asking “how to get a website made for my business.” While DIY builders are an option, partnering with a professional web design agency often yields far superior results, saving you time and headaches in the long run. An agency brings expertise in design, development, SEO, and user experience.
What to Look for in a Web Design Agency:
- Experience with Small Businesses: Ensure they understand the unique needs and budget constraints of small businesses.
- Portfolio: Review their past work. Do their designs look modern, professional, and appealing? Do they align with your aesthetic? Check out our portfolio to see our work.
- Transparent Pricing: Are their costs clear and upfront? Avoid agencies with hidden fees. At SiteBirds, our pricing starts from just €149 for a starter site, and it’s always transparent.
- Key Services Offered: Do they offer custom design (not just templates), SEO optimization, mobile responsiveness, and ongoing support?
- Communication: How responsive and clear are they in their communication? You want a partner who listens to your needs.
- Testimonials/Reviews: What do their previous clients say about them?
At SiteBirds, we pride ourselves on building affordable, professional WordPress websites tailored for small businesses. Our approach is unique:
- Fast Delivery: We understand that time is money.
- Custom Design (No Templates): Your business is unique, and so should your website be.
- 90+ PageSpeed Score: Essential for user experience and SEO.
- SEO Included: We build your site with search engines in mind from day one.
- 14-Day Money-Back Guarantee: We stand by our work.
Our how it works page details our simple 3-step process, designed to make getting your website made as easy as possible. We focus on delivering a high-quality, conversion-focused website that serves as a powerful asset for your business.
5. The Design and Development Process
Once you’ve chosen your partner, the actual process of getting a website made for my business begins. This stage involves collaboration between you and your web design agency to bring your vision to life. While the exact steps might vary slightly, here’s a general overview:
A. Discovery and Planning:
This initial phase involves a deep dive into your business, goals, target audience, and content. Your agency will gather all the information from Section 1 and 3 to create a detailed plan outlining the site structure, key features, and design preferences. This often includes creating a sitemap (a visual representation of your site’s pages and their hierarchy) and wireframes (basic outlines of page layouts).
B. Design Mockups:
Based on the planning phase, the designers will create visual mockups of key pages (e.g., homepage, service page, contact page). These are static images that show you exactly how your website will look before any coding begins. This is your chance to provide feedback on colors, fonts, imagery, and overall layout. Remember, it’s much easier and cheaper to make changes at this stage than after development has started.
C. Development and Coding:
Once the designs are approved, the developers get to work. They’ll translate the approved mockups into a functional, live website using the chosen platform (like WordPress). This involves coding, integrating content, setting up databases, configuring plugins, and ensuring all functionalities work correctly. At SiteBirds, we focus on clean code, responsive design (so your site looks great on all devices), and optimizing for speed and SEO from the ground up.
D. Content Integration:
Your prepared content (text, images, videos) will be uploaded and placed into the website’s structure. This is where your site truly comes to life. Your agency will ensure the content is formatted correctly, visually appealing, and strategically placed for maximum impact.
E. Testing and Review:
Before launch, your website undergoes rigorous testing. This includes checking for broken links, functionality across different browsers and devices, loading speed, responsiveness, and overall user experience. You’ll have the opportunity to review the complete site and provide final feedback. This phase is crucial for catching any last-minute issues and ensuring everything is perfect. We build our sites to achieve 90+ PageSpeed scores, ensuring a smooth experience for your visitors.
6. Launching Your Website and Post-Launch Essentials
Congratulations! You’ve successfully navigated the process of getting a website made for my business. But launching is just the beginning. To ensure your website continues to be a successful asset, there are a few crucial post-launch steps and considerations.
A. Domain and Hosting Setup:
Before launch, your domain name (e.g., yourbusiness.com) needs to be registered, and your website needs a home on the internet (hosting). Your web design agency will typically assist with connecting your domain to your hosting and preparing everything for the big reveal.
B. Go Live!
Once all testing is complete and you’ve given the final approval, your website will be officially launched and made accessible to the public. This usually involves changing domain name settings to point to your new site.
C. Essential Integrations:
- Google Analytics: Install Google Analytics to track website traffic, user behavior, and conversion rates. This data is invaluable for understanding how your site performs and where improvements can be made.
- Google Search Console: Submit your sitemap to Google Search Console to help Google crawl and index your site more effectively. This is crucial for SEO.
- Social Media Links: Ensure your social media profiles are linked prominently on your website.
- Email Marketing: If you use an email marketing service, integrate your signup forms or pop-ups.
D. Ongoing Maintenance and Updates:
A website is not a “set it and forget it” tool. Regular maintenance is vital for security, performance, and keeping your content fresh. This includes:
- Software Updates: For WordPress sites, this means updating WordPress core, themes, and plugins.
- Security Checks: Protecting your site from malware and hacks.
- Backups: Regularly backing up your website data.
- Content Updates: Keeping your information current, adding new blog posts, products, or services.
Many agencies offer maintenance plans, which can be a smart investment to ensure your site remains secure, fast, and up-to-date without you having to worry about the technical details. You might find our article on Affordable Website Design for Small Business: What to Expect in 2026 helpful for understanding future maintenance considerations.
7. Promote Your New Website and Monitor Performance
Now that you’ve got a fantastic new website, the final step in answering “how to get a website made for my business” is to tell the world about it! A beautiful website is only effective if people can find it. This involves a continuous effort in promotion and monitoring.
A. Search Engine Optimization (SEO):
Even though your SiteBirds website is built with SEO in mind, ongoing efforts are crucial. This involves:
- Keyword Research: Identifying the terms your target audience uses to find businesses like yours.
- Content Creation: Regularly publishing valuable blog posts, articles, or guides that incorporate your keywords.
- Link Building: Earning backlinks from other reputable websites.
- Technical SEO: Ensuring your site’s structure is optimized for search engine crawlers.
SEO is a long-term strategy, but it’s one of the most cost-effective ways to drive organic traffic to your site. We recommend reading Why Every Small Business Needs a Professional Website in 2026 for more insights into the importance of online visibility.
B. Social Media Marketing:
Share your new website and its content across all your social media platforms. Engage with your audience, run contests, and drive traffic back to your site for more information or purchases.
C. Email Marketing:
Announce your new website to your existing email subscribers. Highlight new features, products, or services available on your site.
D. Local SEO (for local businesses):
Ensure your Google My Business profile is updated with your new website link. Encourage reviews and ensure your business information is consistent across all online directories.
E. Paid Advertising (Optional):
Consider running targeted ads on Google (Google Ads) or social media platforms (Facebook Ads, Instagram Ads) to quickly drive traffic to your new site and reach a wider audience.
F. Monitor and Analyze:
Regularly check your Google Analytics data. Look at:
- Traffic Sources: Where are your visitors coming from?
- Bounce Rate: How many visitors leave after viewing only one page?
- Time on Site: How long do visitors stay?
- Conversion Rates: Are visitors completing your desired actions (e.g., purchases, form submissions)?
Use this data to identify what’s working well and what needs improvement. A website is an evolving tool, and continuous optimization based on data will yield the best results.
Ready to Get Your Business Website Made?
Getting a website made for your business is a strategic investment that pays dividends in credibility, customer reach, and growth. While the process involves several steps, partnering with the right web design agency can make it an exciting and rewarding journey.
At SiteBirds, we’re committed to empowering small businesses with professional, high-performing websites without the high costs. Our process is designed for clarity and efficiency, ensuring you get a custom-designed WordPress site that’s fast, SEO-optimized, and backed by a 14-day money-back guarantee.
Don’t let the thought of building a website intimidate you. We simplify the entire process, allowing you to focus on what you do best – running your business. If you’re ready to take the next step and get a website made for your business, explore our affordable pricing plans or check out our Shop to see how easy it is to get started. We’re here to help you succeed online!