How to create a business website: 11 steps + best practices

A company website can help your business connect with existing customers and find new ones. In fact, creating a website is an excellent small business advertising option. 

According to an Intuit SMB MediaLabs study, 92% of respondents said they’ll maintain (41%) or increase (51%) their advertising spending in the first quarter of 2026.

If you are one of them, you should consider spending some money on perfecting your small business website. The 11 steps in this article will help n build and maintain a strong business website that attracts new customers. 

1. Purchase and register your domain name

2. Secure your web hosting provider

3. Find your website builder

4. Create website content

5. Implement SEO best practices

6. Test your website

7. Launch your website

8. Share your website

9. Set up reporting

10. Connect with your communities

11. Analyze performance and make optimizations

Start your business with confidence

1. Purchase and register your domain name

First things first, when determining how to create a website for a business, you need a domain name. This is just a fancy way of saying the URL or website address (starting with “www”) so people will use to get to your website.

Choosing your domain name can be similar to choosing a name for your business. You want your customers to remember it easily and it be relevant to your business’s name or purpose. 

Let’s say you’re opening your bagel shop called The Corner Bagel Shop. Your domain name could be something like www.cornerbagelshop.com. 

You will need to check if your preferred domain name is available by conducting a simple web search. Type the URL into the search bar and see if anything appears. If no site loads, the URL is likely available for purchase.

If another person already owns that domain, you can choose a variation of it. In this example, something like www.cornerbagel.com could do the trick. You could also change the ending to .net, .info, or .us. These endings are less common than .com, but they’ll still work for your purposes.

Here are some places to search and buy a domain name: 

• Bluehost 
• BuyDomains 
• Domain.com
• DreamHost
• GoDaddy
• Google Domains 
• HostGator

2. Secure your web hosting provider

The information on your business website needs to live somewhere, and that’s the job of a hosting site. It stores that information and then makes it accessible to visitors. There are two types of hosting for websites: 

Hosted

Hosted websites are typically built on a ready-made website builder or content management system like Wix or Squarespace. 

Hosted websites are great for when you’re just getting started and want a dedicated service to handle everything from creating the site themes for your website to storing your site’s information. 

These services make it easier to bring your ideas to life when you lack coding experience or have never built a site.

Self-hosted

Self-hosting your site allows you to purchase hosting separately and then build your own website from scratch. 

A self-hosted business site is ideal for more advanced users who want to add more features and customization. 

You’ll have the freedom to create custom themes and features, add an online payments portal to accept payments online, and other similar features that will make your site a joy to use.

With that in mind, you’ll likely end up purchasing your domain and hosting all in one spot: from the website builder you choose (which we’ll talk about in the next section). If you decide to purchase hosting separately, most of the domain providers we listed above also offer hosting for the domain you choose as a stand-alone service.

3. Find your website builder

A website builder is a great choice for small business owners who may struggle with creating a website completely from scratch.

As you explore the different website builders available, consider the features you need. For example, will your bagel shop need e-commerce functionality so customers can order bagels and seasonings online? 

The features you need can influence the website builder you choose. Identify your target audience and consider what they’ll be looking for when visiting your site.

Once you know what you’re looking for, it’s time to look at the different builders. Some of the most popular ones include:

• GoDaddy: Works well for businesses that need to get a simple website set up fast. 
• Shopify: Works well for businesses that plan to build an e-commerce site. 
• Squarespace: Works well for businesses that want a huge selection of website templates. 
• Weebly: Works well for brick-and-mortar businesses that also want smaller e-commerce functionality. 
• Wix: Works well for Businesses that want an easy-to-use interface. 

These platforms let you get your domain, hosting, and templates, making it easy to design a beautiful, impressive website for your small business. However, when picking your platform, ask how much it costs to create a website specifically for a small business.

Wordpress.com vs. Wordpress.org

As you explore your options, you’ll likely also run across mentions of WordPress. However, it’s important to note that WordPress has two website hosting options, which can cause some confusion. Here’s the gist:

• WordPress.com: This is the company’s hosted website builder, meaning you’ll build your website on WordPress’s platform. You’ll need to purchase a domain elsewhere and register it with WordPress.
• WordPress.org: This is by far the most popular WordPress option. Websites built using WordPress.org are self-hosted. They’re completely customizable because there’s no drag-and-drop builder—meaning you’ll likely need to work with a web designer to build your website.

There’s no shortage of options, and there’s no one right choice for every type of online store, business, or business owner. Nonetheless, going with Wix or Squarespace is a safe bet for creating a functional website without a lot of stress.

4. Create website content 

You have your domain and web hosting platform, and you’ve selected your website builder. Now, it’s time to gather the information that needs to be on your website so you can start using it to generate revenue.

Using the site plan discussed earlier, take a look at the templates your website builder offers and pick one you like. That’ll give you some direction about the type of content you’ll need to fill it up—how many photos, what blocks of copy, and more.

At a bare minimum, your business website should include:

• Homepage: Your homepage should feature the “need-to-know” information about your business. Consider it the front door to your business, so it’s important to think about the design and key messages.
• About page: Include details about the history of your business, your value proposition (what makes your brand better than your competitors), and even yourself as the business owner.
• Products and services page: Information about what your business offers. If you have an e-commerce business, customers should also be able to add items to their cart here.
• Contact form page: Create a contact form to help people reach you. It should include your business's phone number and social media links. If you have a brick-and-mortar location, you should also list your business address.
• Blog: Your business blog lets you showcase your expertise and share your knowledge with your customers. It can also help you build authority and increase your chances of showing up in the search engine rankings.
• FAQ page: Adding an FAQ page makes it easy to answer your customers’ most common questions. Start by focusing on the top 10 questions you get about your services or products. 
• Testimonials page: Including a testimonials page is a great way to highlight your customers’ experiences with your services or products. You can pull reviews from Google and other review pages or ask your customers to submit a testimonial via email. 

You might also want to add a blog, an FAQ page, testimonials, or other pages. If you’re not sure what other pages you should include, consider looking at your competitors’ sites. Remember, the best small business websites convey the information their customers need and let business owners share their knowledge and expertise.

Start a folder or document to keep all this information in one spot. It’ll make things a lot easier when it’s time to start incorporating it into your website template.

5. Implement SEO best practices

Search engine optimization, or SEO, is improving a site’s content and appearance to increase its visibility to users searching for certain information or products. 

To make sure your small business website is visible on search engines, consider implementing some SEO best practices as you build it: 

• Using variations of keywords related to your business within the content of your pages
• Choosing a content design that translates across all devices 
• Including external and internal links on your site
• Avoid duplicating any content from other websites 

6. Test your website 

Before launching your site, you’ll want to test it to ensure it works as you expect. Start by running the site preview on your chosen design platform, and make sure all pages load and format correctly. 

You may also want a friend, family member, employee, or trusted customer to review your site to ensure everything is clear and understandable to them. This lets you test for usability and ensures your customers have a positive experience when visiting your site.

You should also check for speed and mobile optimization. Slow-loading pages tend to drive customers away, and since more people rely on their phones and mobile devices to browse the web, ensuring your pages display correctly on these devices can keep your customers engaged. 

7. Launch your website

Once you have your basic website looking the way you want it to, publish it. Don’t obsess over its perfection—you can always add to it and change it later. 

The goal is to simply create a resource that your customers can use to learn more about your business. Once the site is live, you can focus on building out more pages and creating helpful content that speaks to your target audience.

8. Share your website

When you first start your business, customers may not be familiar with your company or its services, forcing you to promote your business aggressively. The same principle applies to your website. You’ll need to share your new URL and site with your supporters to increase awareness.

Here are a few simple ways to start promoting your new business website:

• Share the URL on social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram.
• Add the URL to your business card and promotional materials.
• Include the URL and any relevant links to pages in newsletters emailed to customers.

Don’t hesitate to get creative when promoting your site. The goal is to increase awareness of your online presence quickly.

9. Set up reporting

While you’ll understandably be relieved to get your website out there, that doesn’t mean your work is done. Your website isn’t a “set it and forget it” sort of thing. Be prepared to check on it frequently (at least once per month) to add new information or confirm everything is working correctly.

To make informed decisions, improve your site over time, and grow this sales channel for your business, it’s a good idea to use effective monitoring tools and embrace robust analytics. You can do this by taking the following steps:

Make a Google My Business account

A Google My Business (GMB) account helps your small business stand out by showcasing important details directly on Google’s search results and maps. This profile can display your business hours, contact information, website, social media links, photos, and customer reviews—all in one convenient place.

Setting up your account is simple: claim your business, verify ownership, and fill out your profile with accurate details. Be sure to upload high-quality photos, add your logo, and keep your hours updated so customers always have the right information.

Encourage satisfied customers to leave reviews, since positive feedback boosts your visibility and credibility. Regularly posting updates or special offers also helps you stay active in local search and gives potential customers a reason to engage with your business.

Integrate Google Search Console and GA4

Search Console offers a clear picture of how your site is doing in Google Search. Using it allows you to see which search terms are driving traffic, identify and fix indexing issues, and submit new content for faster indexing.

Google Analytics 4 (GA4) complements this by showing how visitors interact once they land on your site—things like session duration, traffic sources, and conversion events. Together, these tools give you a full view of both how people are finding your business and what they’re doing once they get there.

You can also connect Search Console to GA4 to get deeper insights by combining search information with visitor behavior data. This makes it easier to spot opportunities, refine your content strategy, and drive more qualified traffic.

Use Hotjar for heatmapping

Using Hotjar will help you gain deeper insight into how people interact with your website, including detailed heatmaps showing where users click, scroll, or get stuck. You can even watch user journeys in real time using session recording.

10. Connect with your communities 

Once you've created a great online website, you need to maintain your connection with the communities you are forming. 

To create long-term success, focus on building meaningful relationships with your target customers, followers, and broader online communities your website serves. You can do this by taking the following steps:

Creating a strong content marketing strategy

Your content shouldn’t just promote your business; it should help you make strong connections by sharing knowledge that serves your audiences. You can do this if you use your site as a way to start conversations, answer real questions, and build trust.

Creating a content calendar can help you develop a strong community-building strategy. 

You should plan regular blog posts that reflect what your community cares about, from how-tos to behind-the-scenes insights. Keep an eye on customer engagement stats to see if you're doing this well.

You can also develop a mix of different kinds of content and position yourself as a research hub. Whether you write a step-by-step guide, an explainer video, or a downloadable checklist, creating content that solves problems or sparks inspiration can help you become a go-to resource.

Using your blog to address frequently asked questions, provide expert insights, or highlight customer stories can also help to position your website as a trusted go-to source.

Building an email list with MailChimp

Email is a direct line to your most engaged community members, and building an email list can be a powerful way to encourage them to visit your site regularly.

You can build an email list by featuring sign-up forms prominently and including email capture forms in key places across your site, including on the homepage and within your blogs. You should also try to give people a reason to join your list, such as a discount code or access to an exclusive guide.

Mailchimp also helps you keep subscribers engaged with easy-to-use templates and automation. Instead of sending only product promotions, share stories, highlight events, or ask for feedback to make your newsletter feel like a genuine conversation rather than a sales pitch.

Developing strong social media engagement

Your social platforms are extensions of your community space, so treat them that way. Instead of only posting links, create interactive content like polls, AMAs, and story prompts that get people talking.

Focus on the platforms your customers use most. If your audience is more active on Instagram than LinkedIn—or prefers TikTok over Facebook—put your energy where it will have the biggest impact. This ensures your content feels natural and meets your community where they already are.

You should also engage with comments and DMs and be active in replies. When possible, direct people to specific blog posts, product pages, or resources that answer their questions.

Using targeted promotions may also be worth considering to grow your community. Paid social ads can help bring the right people into your orbit, but make sure your ads drive traffic to useful landing pages, not just product listings, so people keep coming back for more.

Embracing collaboration

You don’t have to build a community alone. Collaborating with others who share your values can help you attract more interested people to your website.

There are many effective ways to collaborate, including writing guest posts on blogs your customers already read, or inviting guest contributors to your site to help build visibility and trust.

You can also team up with complementary businesses or creators to cross-promote your products and services by running joint giveaways, sharing each other’s content, or co-creating resources. 

Finally, aim to be as active as possible in relevant forums or online groups. Whether it’s Reddit, LinkedIn, Discord, or niche Facebook groups, always make sure to participate authentically by answering questions and sharing insights.

11. Analyze performance and make optimizations

Getting your site up and working is just the first step in creating a website for business. Analyzing performance and making optimizations is key to long-term success.

Regularly reviewing performance metrics and testing new strategies will help you grow your audience, increase conversions, and provide a better experience for your visitors, but you need to measure the right things to make wise decisions. 

 Some key metrics to focus on:

• Traffic sources: Break down your traffic by source, including organic (search engines), direct (typed URLs), referral (links from other sites), social, and paid. Look at geographic data and what devices people use to understand better who’s visiting your site and how they’re getting there.
• Monitor user behavior: Consider factors like bounce rate, average session duration, pages per session, and exit pages to understand where visitors are getting stuck or dropping off, so you can adjust content or site flow.
• Conversion Tracking: If you know your business goals, such as getting people to sign up for an email list or purchase products, you can use tools like Google Analytics or GA4 to see if your content is achieving the desired results.
• SEO Performance: Use tools like Google Search Console, Ahrefs, or Semrush to see how your keywords rank and to track impressions, click-through rates (CTR), and visibility in search engine results so you can better optimize your content. 

Optimize and improve your website

Of course, you don't just want to attract new visitors. You also want to convert more of those visitors into customers. You can do that by focusing on: 

• A/B Testing: Run controlled experiments to test different versions of page elements, such as headlines, calls to action, or specific layouts. This will help you see which version drives more conversions so you can stick with that option.
• (UX) Enhancements: Providing a better experience can help encourage visitors to convert. You can improve the customer experience by improving website speed, making navigation clearer, and simplifying forms. Also, consider using demographic data to tailor offers by showing location-specific products or dynamic headlines based on visitor intent.

Building a business online and finding ways to improve your website can feel daunting for casual internet users, but it’s also a task that’s easy to overcomplicate. You can make a great, useful website without knowing how to code or having an encyclopedic knowledge of HEX color codes. It also doesn't cost much if you're starting a business with no money. 

Keep things simple and rely on the resources available, and you’ll get a website rolled out in no time. And remember, the internet isn’t in ink (it’s in … pixels?). You can always make changes. As your business grows and evolves, your website can, too.

Start your business with confidence

Creating a small business website is vital to building your brand, reaching new customers, and growing your business online. With the right tools, content, and ongoing strategy, your site can become a powerful engine for long-term success. 

As you grow, however, you'll want to make sure your behind-the-scenes tools do just as much to help you build success as your online presence—and that means finding the right accounting software.

QuickBooks Online can help you manage your finances, track expenses, and get paid faster—so reach out today to see what QuickBooks can do for you.