
Step-by-Step Guide to Small Business Website Design: A Beginner’s Guide for Crafters, Creatives, and Coaches
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Think you can skip having a website because you’re active on social media? Let me stop you right there. A professional website isn’t just a luxury—it’s a necessity. It builds credibility, attracts clients, and helps grow your revenue. Bonus: it’s a tax write off 🙌🏽
But I get it—hiring a web designer can be costly. The good news? We’re living in an age where you can DIY your site with tools that rival professional designs. In this guide, I’ll walk you through the essential steps for designing a website for your small business. Whether you’re a print on demand business owner, a crafter showcasing handmade goods, or a coach building trust with clients, this guide has you covered.
Ready to design the online business of your dreams? Let’s dive in.
Step 1: Define Your Website Design Goals
Why This Matters:
Before diving into design, it’s crucial to know why you’re creating a website. Here are some common goals and examples:
- 1. Generate Leads: Add a contact form or email sign-up to collect leads.
- 2. Sell Products: Set up an online store with clear product categories.
- 3. Showcase Your Portfolio: Perfect for creatives to display their best work.
- 4. Educate or Entertain: Podcasters can host episodes and grow their audience
- 5. Build Credibility: Highlight testimonials or case studies to establish trust.
Pro Tip:
- Write down your top 1-2 goals and use them to guide every decision about your website’s layout and features.
Step 2: Choose a Platform That Fits Your Needs
Why This Matters:
The right platform is the foundation of your website. Here’s a quick breakdown:
- Squarespace: User-friendly and ideal for stunning, minimalist designs—great for coaches and creatives.
- WordPress: Highly customizable, used by businesses of all sizes. Great for unique features.
- Shopify: A powerhouse for selling physical products online.
- Buzzsprout Websites: Tailored for podcasters to host episodes and promote their shows.
Domain Name Tips:
- Keep it short, easy to spell, and aligned with your business name.
- Use keywords relevant to your business, like handmadejewelryshop.com.
- Not sure what’s available? Tools like Namecheap can help you brainstorm and purchase your domain.
Step 3: Create a Simple and Effective Web Design Layout
Why This Matters:
A clutter-free, intuitive layout is key to keeping visitors engaged. Focus on these essentials:
Main Pages to Include:
- Home: Your business overview with links to key pages.
- About: Share your story and connect emotionally with visitors.
- Services or Products: Clearly describe what you offer.
- Contact: Include a form, email address, and social links.
- Bonus: FAQ and Blog pages.
Templates Are Your Friend:
- Use a website template to save time and maintain a professional look. (Psst… check out my templates designed for small business owners!)
Mobile responsiveness:
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- With over 50% of web traffic coming from mobile devices, your site must look great on phones.
Step 4: Write Compelling Content That Speaks to Your Audience
Why This Matters:
Your content is your voice. Make sure it’s clear, concise, and tailored to your audience.
Home Page Must-Haves:
- A welcoming headline (e.g., “Helping Creatives Build a Profitable Online Presence”).
- A short overview of your services or offerings.
- A clear call-to-action (CTA) like "Shop Now" or "Book a Call."
About Page Tips:
- Share your mission, background, and what makes you unique. Need help writing it? Try this chatgpt prompt to get your creative juices flowing.
Write a concise, engaging About Page in under 500 characters. Introduce me: [Your name], who helps [who do you help? E.g: small business owners] enhance their brand’s [what service do you offer? E.g: online presence with optimized websites]. The tone should be [use 2 words to describe your desired tone. e.g: relatable, friendly, encouraging, professional, optimistic, creative, warm, playful]. Start with a hook that highlights how [your name + the problem you solve. E.g: Thande’s websites solve business problems], introduce their expertise [describe your experience here. E.g: 10+ years as a web developer, SEO strategist], and emphasize their unique approach [what’s unique about your approach? E.g.: tailored solutions, exceptional customer service]. [Include one of these to make it more unique to you: end with a playful PS, employ witty wordplay, use emojis, sprinkle in playful puns, use light-hearted analogies ]and a clear call-to-action inviting visitors to explore their services.
Service/Product Descriptions:
- Use action-oriented CTAs like “Get Started Today!”
- Clearly outline benefits, not just features.
Feature: "This website template is mobile-responsive."
Benefit: "Your customers can easily browse your site from any device, leading to better engagement and more conversions."
Testimonials:
- Social proof builds trust. Include quotes or case studies from happy clients.
Blog:
- Blogging boosts your SEO and positions you as an expert
- Bonus: Chat gpt prompt for blog post ideas
I run a blog aimed at [your target audience] about [topic your blog post is about]. Come up with 10 ideas that I could write about on my blog. For each idea, suggest 2 different titles. Gather inspiration from other blogs and websites that talk about similar topics. My blog keywords are: [what searchable keyword terms do you want to focus on? Use AnswerthePublic or a Keyword Tool. e.g: modern website design, squarespace web design]
Step 5: Add Essential Features for Small Business Owners
Why This Matters:
To make your site functional and user-friendly, don’t skip these features:
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Email Sign-Up Forms: Build your list with a freebie (e.g., a checklist or mini-guide).
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E-Commerce Capabilities: If you’re selling, include a clean, intuitive shop page.
- Blog Section: Great for crafters and coaches to share tips and insights.
Step 6: Optimize your small business website for Search Engines (SEO)
Why This Matters:
SEO makes your website easier to find online. Start with these basics:
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Conduct Keyword Research: Use free tools like AnswerThePublic to find terms your audience searches for.
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Descriptive URLs: Use URLs like yourbusinessname.com/podcast-tips instead of random numbers or letters.
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- Internal Linking: Link to other pages on your site to guide visitors and boost SEO.
Pro Tip:
Download my free SEO checklist for step-by-step instructions!
Step 7: Test, Launch, and Maintain Your Website
Before you launch, run through this checklist:
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Test Everything: Are all links working? Do forms submit correctly? Are CTAs clear and clickable?
- Check Speed and Mobile Responsiveness: Use Google’s Mobile-Friendly Test
- Launch Day Tips: Announce your website on social media and via email. Encourage visitors to explore your site and provide feedback.
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Ongoing Maintenance: Update content regularly, track your performance using Google Analytics (Squarespace also has built-in tools) and refresh your design every ~2-4 years to stay current with tools and trends.
Conclusion
Designing a small business website doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. With the right tools, a clear plan, and a little creativity, you can create a site that looks professional and works hard for your business.
Ready to take the next step? Download my free SEO guide or explore my website templates designed for small business owners like you. Too overwhelmed by all the steps?

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