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Free checklist

What a small business website actually needs.

Most small businesses and charities don't need a big, complicated website. They need a few things done properly. This is the list I'd give a friend, whoever builds their site.

Business advisers: you're welcome to share or print this for any client.

The essentials

  1. Say what you do, and where, straight away

    Someone landing on your site should know within a few seconds what you offer and which area you cover. Put it at the top, in plain words.

  2. Make it easy to get in touch

    A phone number people can tap to call, an email address or a simple form, and your opening hours. Don't make visitors hunt for it.

  3. Work properly on a phone

    Most of your visitors will be on a phone. Text should be readable without zooming, and buttons easy to tap.

  4. Load quickly

    Large photos are the usual culprit. A slow site loses people before it has even appeared.

  5. Set up your Google Business Profile

    It's free, and it's often how local customers find you first. Keep your name, address, phone number and hours the same as on your website.

  6. Use real photos

    Your work, your premises, your products, your face. They build trust far better than stock images.

  7. Show some proof

    A few genuine reviews or testimonials, and examples of your work, help people choose you.

  8. Own your domain and your site

    Make sure your web address is registered in your name, and that you could take your site elsewhere if you ever needed to.

  9. Keep it secure and up to date

    Your site should show the padlock (https), and its software should be kept updated by whoever looks after it.

  10. Look after people's data

    If you collect names, emails or enquiries, you need a short privacy notice. Avoid tracking you don't need.

  11. Keep it current

    Out-of-date opening hours or old news puts people off. A small site you keep fresh beats a big one you don't.

What you probably don't need yet

  • Lots of pages. One clear page is often enough to start.
  • A blog you won't have time to keep up.
  • Fancy animations or video backgrounds that slow everything down.
  • Ongoing "marketing packages" before you know what works for you.
  • A monthly platform subscription that keeps going up.

Questions about any of this? Get in touch, I'm happy to help. If you're a business adviser, here's how I work with the clients you support.